Accident and emergency

If you witness an accident or need an ambulance in an emergency situation, the number to call is 999.

Seeking emergency treatment

Anyone can receive emergency treatment in government hospitals but charges apply to anyone without a health card. Some private hospitals have accident and emergency (A&E) departments, but you will need private medical insurance to avoid a large bill.

The police receive all 999 calls but you can dial 998 to be put straight through to ambulance services. Private medical firms also run fleets of ambulances, and you will need to subscribe to access their services or pay for one-off use.

Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and off-island Al Rahba Hospital have the best A&E departments in Abu Dhabi, although Al Mafraq and Al Noor Hospitals also have good emergency services. In Al Ain, Al Ain Hospital deals with general accidents and emergencies, while Tawam Hospital specialises in emergency traumas.

Of the government hospitals in Dubai, Rashid Hospital deals with most emergency cases as it has a well-equipped A&E department; Dubai Hospital also has an emergency unit. Latifa Hospital offers emergency services to children under the age of 12 and women with maternity or gynaecological emergencies, but it does not deal with trauma cases. The Iranian Hospital has a busy A&E.