Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 28 June, 2015

In addition to regular inspections and surprise visits, the Dubai Health Authority's health inspectors will begin carrying out developmental inspections for healthcare facilities in Dubai.

These inspections known as 'Weyak' which means, 'with you' are aimed to ensure healthcare facilities receive adequate support and advice to help them further improve the quality of healthcare keeping in mind latest international benchmarks.

In order to educate the health facilities about these inspections, the Dubai Health Authority's Regulation Department invited 1041 healthcare facilities in Dubai, who are part of the phase one implementation, to attend a workshop about the aim and goals of these inspections.

Of the 1041 healthcare facilities, 668 are polyclinics, 193 are general clinics, 48 are dental clinics and 132 are specialty clinics.

Dr Layla Al Marzouqi, Director of Health Regulation and Dubai Medical Tourism Project, said: "As  part of Dubai Health Authority's commitment to achieve the highest quality of medical services and to keep up with the comprehensive and integrated development in the medical field, we decided to implement  developmental inspections.

"One week prior to visiting any health facility for developmental inspections, we will provide them with a self-assessment check-list and during the inspections our team will provide necessary support and guidance to ensure they achieve all the points mentioned in the checklist. The advice is free-of-cost and post the inspections, we will regularly follow-up with health facilities and also provide them with a progress report. Healthcare facilities will  have a  time-frame to adhere to the requirements.  They will not receive any penalty for violations during these inspections, unless the violation falls under the major category."

In the first phase, these inspections will be for polyclinics, general clinics, dental clinics and specialty clinics. In the second phase, these inspections will be conducted for hospitals and in the third phase the inspections will be carried out for pharmacies, rehabilitation centres and diagnostic centres.

Al Marzouqi reiterated that annual regular inspections as well as surprise inspections will continue.

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About the Dubai Health Authority:
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) was created, in June 2007, by Law 13 issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, with an expanded vision to include strategic oversight for the complete health sector in Dubai and enhance private sector engagement. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance is the President of the DHA and His Excellency Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qatami is the chairman of the board of the DHA.

The DHA's aim in Dubai is to provide an accessible, effective and integrated healthcare system, protect public health and improve the quality of life within the Emirate. This is a direct translation of the objectives of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Keeping the strategic plan in mind, the DHA's mission is to ensure access to health services, maintain and improve the quality of these services, improve the health status of nationals, residents and visitors and oversee a dynamic, efficient and innovative health sector.

In addition to overseeing the health sector for the Emirate of Dubai, the DHA also focuses on providing services through DHA healthcare facilities including hospitals (Latifa, Dubai, Rashid and Hatta), specialty centres (e.g. the Dubai Diabetes Center) and DHA primary health centres spread throughout the Emirate of Dubai.

The main pillars of service delivery at DHA health facilities are quality, efficiency, patients and staff.  It is our aim to maintain and improve the quality and efficiency of DHA health services. An important aspect of the service delivery strategy is to focus on patients, their needs and satisfaction as well as attract, retain, nurture and support outstanding staff.

Prior to the establishment of the DHA, the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS), which was established in 1973, was the functioning authority that almost exclusively focused on health service delivery.

© Press Release 2015