Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid appoints new officials to lead Dubai Health Authority

A senior health ministry chief and a top doctor were appointed to run the emirate’s main health agency

Dr Alawi Alsheikh Ali, left, was named deputy director general of Dubai Health Authority and Awad Saghir Al Ketbi was named director general. Dubai Government Media Office

The Ruler of Dubai appointed two new chiefs to run the emirate’s health authority.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, also Vice President and Prime Minister, made Awad Saghir Al Ketbi director general of Dubai Health Authority and Dr Alawi Alsheikh Ali his deputy on Sunday.

A government news release said the appointments were effective immediately.

Mr Al Ketbi was previously assistant undersecretary at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, and has a background in management and other senior roles.

Dr Ali was provost of Mohammed bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences and the founding dean of its College of Medicine.

He is a consultant cardiac electrophysiologist who studied at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and has appeared on the government’s televised briefings on the pandemic.

Dubai Health Authority operates all government-run hospitals, which are on the front lines of the pandemic and handle most patients admitted to hospital.

It also oversees the regulation of private hospitals and clinics through several divisions and agencies.

Mr Al Ketbi takes over the role from Humaid Al Qutami.

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