Zayed Authority for People of Determination has signed a cooperation agreement with Kids Heart Medical Centres and Heart Medical Centre to expand therapeutic, diagnostic and rehabilitation services for People of Determination in Abu Dhabi.
The agreement, signed in Abu Dhabi on 13 May 2026, is aimed at strengthening early assessment, specialised rehabilitation, psychological counselling, family support and social inclusion programmes. It brings together a public authority with a private medical network at a time when Abu Dhabi is placing greater emphasis on early intervention, accessibility and integrated care for children and families.
The partnership will cover early assessment and diagnosis for children, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychological counselling, behavioural support, family guidance and social support. The cooperation is also expected to include training and capacity-building programmes for professionals working with People of Determination, as well as the exchange of scientific and professional expertise between healthcare and social service providers.
Abdulla Abdulalee Al Humaidan, Secretary-General of Zayed Authority for People of Determination, said the agreement reflected the authority’s commitment to expanding partnerships with specialised medical institutions and strengthening early intervention, rehabilitation and psychological support services. He said cooperation between the government sector and private medical institutions was central to building a comprehensive empowerment model aligned with the UAE’s vision for an inclusive and sustainable society.
Dr Mohammed Suleiman, Chairman of Kids Heart Medical Centres and Heart Medical Centre, said the agreement reflected a shared commitment to supporting People of Determination and improving their inclusion through specialised healthcare and rehabilitation services. He said the partnership would have a positive impact on People of Determination and their families by improving access to services that support participation in society.
The cooperation extends beyond clinical care. Areas identified under the agreement include sign language training, communication skills for professionals working with People of Determination, joint participation in events organised by the authority, support for marketing products made by People of Determination, and Braille printing services to improve accessibility.
Kids Heart Medical Centres operates as a multispecialty medical provider serving children and adolescents with complex medical needs, with branches in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain. Its services include paediatric cardiology, paediatric neurology, paediatric neurodevelopment, paediatric psychology, obstetrics and gynaecology, and adult cardiology. The inclusion of Heart Medical Centre in the agreement broadens the partnership’s clinical scope, particularly in Al Ain, where access to specialised services remains an important part of the wider care network.
Zayed Authority for People of Determination provides integrated services across Abu Dhabi, including assessment, early intervention, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, vocational rehabilitation, education, psychological care and family support. The authority’s mandate is rooted in the emirate’s long-running policy of integrating care, rehabilitation and social empowerment under one institutional framework.
The agreement comes as Abu Dhabi continues to develop a broader ecosystem of services for People of Determination, with a growing focus on early diagnosis, family-centred support and partnerships with specialist providers. This model is designed to reduce delays in assessment, improve continuity of care and help families move more easily between medical, therapeutic, educational and social services.
Early intervention remains a key concern for families and clinicians because delays in diagnosis can affect speech development, mobility, learning, behaviour and social participation. By linking clinical assessment with rehabilitation and family support, the agreement seeks to address gaps that can emerge when services are fragmented across multiple providers.
The partnership also highlights a shift in the UAE’s disability services landscape from isolated service delivery towards coordinated care pathways. That approach gives greater weight to multidisciplinary support, where doctors, therapists, psychologists, educators and social workers work together on individualised plans. For children with developmental, physical, sensory or behavioural needs, such coordination can be critical in improving long-term outcomes.
Training provisions in the agreement are likely to be closely watched by service providers because professional capacity remains one of the main challenges in expanding specialised rehabilitation. Sign language training, behavioural support skills and communication-focused programmes can help medical and social care staff better serve families seeking accessible and respectful care.
The agreement, signed in Abu Dhabi on 13 May 2026, is aimed at strengthening early assessment, specialised rehabilitation, psychological counselling, family support and social inclusion programmes. It brings together a public authority with a private medical network at a time when Abu Dhabi is placing greater emphasis on early intervention, accessibility and integrated care for children and families.
The partnership will cover early assessment and diagnosis for children, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychological counselling, behavioural support, family guidance and social support. The cooperation is also expected to include training and capacity-building programmes for professionals working with People of Determination, as well as the exchange of scientific and professional expertise between healthcare and social service providers.
Abdulla Abdulalee Al Humaidan, Secretary-General of Zayed Authority for People of Determination, said the agreement reflected the authority’s commitment to expanding partnerships with specialised medical institutions and strengthening early intervention, rehabilitation and psychological support services. He said cooperation between the government sector and private medical institutions was central to building a comprehensive empowerment model aligned with the UAE’s vision for an inclusive and sustainable society.
Dr Mohammed Suleiman, Chairman of Kids Heart Medical Centres and Heart Medical Centre, said the agreement reflected a shared commitment to supporting People of Determination and improving their inclusion through specialised healthcare and rehabilitation services. He said the partnership would have a positive impact on People of Determination and their families by improving access to services that support participation in society.
The cooperation extends beyond clinical care. Areas identified under the agreement include sign language training, communication skills for professionals working with People of Determination, joint participation in events organised by the authority, support for marketing products made by People of Determination, and Braille printing services to improve accessibility.
Kids Heart Medical Centres operates as a multispecialty medical provider serving children and adolescents with complex medical needs, with branches in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain. Its services include paediatric cardiology, paediatric neurology, paediatric neurodevelopment, paediatric psychology, obstetrics and gynaecology, and adult cardiology. The inclusion of Heart Medical Centre in the agreement broadens the partnership’s clinical scope, particularly in Al Ain, where access to specialised services remains an important part of the wider care network.
Zayed Authority for People of Determination provides integrated services across Abu Dhabi, including assessment, early intervention, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, vocational rehabilitation, education, psychological care and family support. The authority’s mandate is rooted in the emirate’s long-running policy of integrating care, rehabilitation and social empowerment under one institutional framework.
The agreement comes as Abu Dhabi continues to develop a broader ecosystem of services for People of Determination, with a growing focus on early diagnosis, family-centred support and partnerships with specialist providers. This model is designed to reduce delays in assessment, improve continuity of care and help families move more easily between medical, therapeutic, educational and social services.
Early intervention remains a key concern for families and clinicians because delays in diagnosis can affect speech development, mobility, learning, behaviour and social participation. By linking clinical assessment with rehabilitation and family support, the agreement seeks to address gaps that can emerge when services are fragmented across multiple providers.
The partnership also highlights a shift in the UAE’s disability services landscape from isolated service delivery towards coordinated care pathways. That approach gives greater weight to multidisciplinary support, where doctors, therapists, psychologists, educators and social workers work together on individualised plans. For children with developmental, physical, sensory or behavioural needs, such coordination can be critical in improving long-term outcomes.
Training provisions in the agreement are likely to be closely watched by service providers because professional capacity remains one of the main challenges in expanding specialised rehabilitation. Sign language training, behavioural support skills and communication-focused programmes can help medical and social care staff better serve families seeking accessible and respectful care.
Topics
UAE