DUBAI: More than 5,000 people gathered at the Al Quoz Ground on Sunday for the Health Festival 2025 – a large-scale wellness celebration honouring the UAE’s labour community.
The event, organised by the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) in collaboration with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) and SmartLife Foundation, turned the spotlight on the often-unsung heroes of the Emirates: the workers who build, clean, and maintain the nation's infrastructure.
Attendees were treated to a full day of health-focused services, entertainment, and sports.
The occasion was graced by the presence of Hussain Muhammad, Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai, who praised the initiative as a vital recognition of the region’s working class.
Health Festival 2025
The festival placed a strong emphasis on preventive healthcare. Free health screenings were provided throughout the day, including checks for blood pressure, blood glucose, BMI, eyesight, and oral hygiene. A dedicated blood donation drive also encouraged attendees to give back to society.
Health awareness sessions covered a broad range of topics including nutrition, hygiene, mental health, and disease prevention. These were designed to educate workers on the importance of everyday wellness and empower them with information.
Muhsin Al Banna, Chairperson of the Pakistan Medical Centre (PMC), emphasised the organisation’s vision: “As part of our commitment to preventive healthcare, we organised free screenings and wellness checks for the workers to make sure they had access to basic services in a setting that celebrates their contribution to society. This event was about showing our workers that their health matters and their efforts don’t go unnoticed. It was a privilege for PMC to stand with them today.”
Unity in action
The public health walk set the tone for the day's community spirit, with workers, families, and volunteers stepping out together. High-energy sports competitions followed, including cricket, volleyball, tug of war, and arm wrestling – bringing both excitement and unity to the grounds.
Cultural entertainment added vibrance to the day. A dazzling magic show and performances representing diverse backgrounds drew cheers and smiles from attendees. For many, the emotional highlight was the “Hands of Unity” initiative – a bold Guinness World Record attempt involving over 25,000 colourful handprints forming the UAE flag. Each imprint served as a symbol of resilience, solidarity, and the immense contributions of the workers.
Zahid Hassan, General Secretary of PAD, remarked: “Health Festival 2025 was a unique community-led tribute to our dedicated heroes which reflects the core values of PAD – unity, inclusion, and service. These hardworking men and women have helped build our nation with their bare hands. Seeing the community come together, especially under such heat, was truly heart-warming. The energy was incredible and it reminded us why community work matters so deeply.”
Gifts and support
In a gesture of appreciation, attendees were treated to exciting giveaways. Prizes included smartphones, e-scooters, shopping vouchers, and event tickets – creating moments of joy and surprise.
Support for the event came from an extensive network of sponsors and community partners. Key contributors included Emirates Loves, RAKBANK, Samana Developers, Midas Safety, UBL, Lulu Exchange, Mediclinic, American Wellness Center, Ajman University Dental College, Makkah Pharmacy, NMC Specialty Hospital Nahda, Northwest Clinic, Aloka, Al Thanya Pharmaceuticals, Residents & Fellow Council, Fakeeh University Hospital, American Hospital, Kings College London Hospital, Dubai Health, Aster Pharmacy and Volunteers, Almarai, Beit Al Khair Society, Cool & Cool, Champion Digital, Digitally, Air Arabia, Fly Jinnah, Hemani, Atlantic, Emax, Safetex Group, Umrah4labourworkers, Happy Happy UAE, Dubai Ambulance, Door Sec, Arabian Hearts, EFS Gourmet Balance & Taste, Al Ghurair, and Golden Classic Foods.
Gratitude was also extended to the Government of Dubai for its continued support of inclusive and community-led health initiatives.