Dubai, 16th November 2008: The Licensing and Specification Division at the Department of Health and Medical Services (DoHMS) has joined the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) health regulation team, moving into the same offices in Dubai Healthcare City. The move reinforces the intended smooth and co-ordinated transfer of all licensing matters to the DHA in the near future.
The Licensing and Specification Division of DoHMS establishes, develops and enforces health related standards in private hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Its four main functions are:
- Licensing of healthcare facilities
- Credentialing of healthcare professionals,
- Inspecting, monitoring and controlling of healthcare facilities,
- Dealing with client's medical complaints, to ensure quality services,
The Licensing and Specification Division of DoHMS will continue to manage these responsibilities until further notice. However, by moving to the DHA regulation team, the intention is that the Government has started the transfer of all licensing of facilities and healthcare professionals in Dubai across to the DHA.
Once it takes over its regulatory responsibilities, the DHA health regulation team will undertake a much wider remit. There are currently over ten existing bodies responsible for regulating healthcare within Dubai. This is not conducive to the continued growth of the healthcare sector in Dubai and to maintaining and promoting high standards of quality care as the population continues to grow.
In association with the existing regulatory entities, the DHA health regulation team will deliver one single new integrated licensing system for the whole of Dubai. It will also undertake the following:
- License all healthcare providers and facilities in Dubai
- Simplify the regulatory burden by managing and co-ordinating all regulatory resources within the Dubai health sector.
- Be responsible for the DHA's regulatory policy and standards, helping to ensure safe and effective practice in all health services in Dubai.
- Undertake regular inspections of all health facilities helping to enforce the DHA's clinical standards
- Monitor professional, facilities and economic performance
- Implement and manage a health related complaints service and process that delivers quick and transparent outcomes
- Encourage healthcare providers to achieve the necessary standards
Dr Essa Kazim, the Director responsible for the health regulation programme at the DHA, said: 'At some point all regulatory and licensing responsibilities in Dubai will rest with the DHA. Until then DoHMS is still responsible for its core licensing activities. We want to ensure a smooth transition process and we will make full and thorough announcements on this in due course. Until then, it is important that the healthcare sector continues as usual.'
To contact the DoHMS licensing team, all emails and contact telephone numbers remain the same. The new offices are located in Room 1017, Building number 65, Block C, Al Razi Building, Dubai Healthcare City.
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Dubai Health Authority created by Law issued by the Ruler of Dubai in June 2007.
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has been empowered to set policy and strategy for health, and to assure the application of that health policy and strategy. The DHA leads an integrated approach across the spectrum of health, anticipating Dubai's future needs and being responsive to users. It will stimulate growth and innovation in the health market, ensuring value for money and quality of services through effective regulation.
The DHA implementation will be undertaken in phases and will take around four years to complete (2012). In the meantime the Department of Health and Medical Services (DoHMS) continues to provide day-to-day medical services.
His Excellency Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid has been appointed Director General of the emergent DHA. He is the only official spokesperson who can comment on behalf of the DHA.
The new Dubai Health Authority (DHA) structure will ensure that health services are better positioned to meet the demand for better healthcare services in the future. The DHA will work to:
- Provide a Health Strategy for Dubai that will meet the needs of the predicted growth and change in population
- Ensure Public Health is protected and quality of life improved
- Ensure partnership between public and private health service providers, bringing together the best international experience to ensure we deliver the best health system possible
- Achieve international accreditation of healthcare services delivered across the Emirate by ensuring world-class quality and standards of healthcare
- Ensure effective regulation and licensing across the Dubai Health Sector guaranteeing the quality of health services provided
- Increase the transparency and accountability of the healthcare system
- Drive efficiency so that funding is spent on the most effective healthcare for those who need it
- Improve accessibility to the healthcare system and sustainability for the future
- Deliver the best training and education opportunities for Dubai healthcare practitioners
DHA Health Funding: The DHA transition team is working closely with the Executive Council (TEC) on all future financing arrangements. Further announcements on the details of the health funding programme will be made in due course.
DHA Health Regulation: Will implement DHA regulatory policy across the public and private health sector in Dubai. Further announcements on the details of the DHA health regulation will be made in due course.
Access to the DHA website can be made at www.dha.gov.ae. Anyone interested in becoming part of the DHA Online Community should log onto the following link: http://www.dhacommunity.com/dha/invite.aspx. Alternatively access can be made via the DHA website.
On behalf of the DHA, for further details please contact
Nada Al Qassimi
nsalQassimi@dohms.gov.ae
Marcus Pepperell/Philippa Daniels @ FD
marcus.pepperell@fd.com / philippa.daniels@fd.com
Tel: +971 (0)4 332 8832
© Press Release 2008
