The Emirates Health Services (EHS) has rolled out new health guidelines for schools across the UAE to curb the spread of infectious diseases. The comprehensive measures focus on hygiene, disease prevention, chronic condition management, and awareness of heat-related illnesses, ensuring a safer learning environment for students, teachers, and staff.
The Emirates Health Services (EHS) has introduced a comprehensive set of measures aimed at preventing the spread of infectious diseases in schools across the UAE. The initiative emphasizes hygiene, preventive care, and awareness to safeguard students’ health while creating a safe learning environment. With the new guidelines, authorities aim to reduce the incidence of school-based infections and ensure students, teachers, and staff remain healthy throughout the academic year.
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The EHS guidelines focus on six core precautions designed to limit the transmission of illnesses in educational settings. Frequent hand hygiene is strongly encouraged, with students advised to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water before meals, after using the restroom, and following any contact with potentially contaminated surfaces.
Avoiding contact with the face is also highlighted, as unwashed hands can transfer pathogens to the mouth, nose, or eyes. Students are instructed to cover their mouths or noses with tissues or the elbow when coughing or sneezing, maintaining good respiratory etiquette.
Maintaining distance from classmates exhibiting symptoms of illness is another essential component of the guidelines. Students showing signs of fever, cold, or other infections are advised to stay home, preventing the spread of illness to others in the classroom.
Regular cleaning and disinfection of commonly touched surfaces, such as desks, doorknobs, and computer keyboards, is recommended to eliminate potential contaminants. Collectively, these measures form the foundation of a proactive approach to health and hygiene within schools.
In addition to general preventive measures, the EHS guidelines provide specific recommendations for managing chronic conditions that are prevalent among schoolchildren. Students with asthma are urged to follow prescribed treatment plans and ensure that medications are available and up to date.
For those with severe allergies, carrying an epinephrine auto-injector is advised, and school staff are trained in its proper use. Children with type 1 diabetes are encouraged to have close monitoring, emergency action plans, and medical identification, such as bracelets, to ensure timely intervention when required.
By addressing these chronic conditions, EHS aims to reduce emergency incidents in schools and provide a safer environment for all students.
Given the UAE’s hot climate, the guidelines also emphasize awareness and prevention of heat-related illnesses, including dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. Teachers and school staff are urged to monitor students closely during outdoor activities and intervene promptly if symptoms arise. Ensuring proper hydration, shaded areas, and limited exposure to extreme heat are key strategies to prevent heat-related emergencies.
The new measures are part of a broader EHS strategy to strengthen school health systems. The organization currently manages over 300 government schools and more than 330 school clinics across the country. These facilities provide a range of services, including annual health screenings, vaccinations, oral health check-ups, mental health monitoring, awareness sessions, and emergency medical support.
This integrated approach allows schools to combine preventive care with responsive medical interventions, addressing both day-to-day health needs and potential emergencies. By proactively managing students’ health, EHS aims to maintain a consistent learning environment with minimal disruptions caused by illness.
In line with national goals, EHS has also focused on Emiratisation within the school health sector. As of 2025, Emirati professionals make up over 12 per cent of government school nursing staff. This initiative not only supports workforce localization but also strengthens the quality and cultural relevance of healthcare services provided to students.
For parents, the new measures provide assurance that schools are actively safeguarding their children’s health. Students benefit from structured guidance on personal hygiene, disease prevention, and chronic condition management, fostering habits that contribute to long-term well-being.
Schools, meanwhile, are equipped with clear protocols for handling illnesses, reducing the likelihood of outbreaks and creating a safer overall environment. The measures also support teachers and administrative staff by providing guidelines for maintaining a healthy classroom and responding effectively to potential health incidents.
Experts note that establishing consistent health practices in schools can have long-term positive effects. Promoting hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and proper disease management reduces absenteeism, improves academic performance, and instills lifelong habits in students.
In addition, the proactive management of chronic conditions and awareness of heat-related risks ensures that students with special health needs can participate fully in school activities without unnecessary risk.
By combining preventive care with responsive medical support, EHS is positioning UAE schools as a model for comprehensive student health management in the region.
The Emirates Health Services’ enhanced health guidelines represent a significant step forward in protecting students, staff, and the wider community. By emphasizing hygiene, disease prevention, chronic condition management, and heat-related illness awareness, the initiative ensures that schools remain safe, inclusive, and conducive to learning.
With these measures, the UAE reinforces its commitment to student welfare, helping families feel confident that their children can pursue education in an environment that prioritizes health and safety. The proactive approach not only mitigates the risk of infectious disease outbreaks but also encourages a culture of health consciousness among students, staff, and parents alike.
