Announces the new service during the DHA's live twitter clinic known as #Smart_clinic.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, August 28, 2014:  Dubai Health Authority's Health Regulation Department will introduce VIP licensing service for healthcare professionals and facilities, said a top health official.

VIP License Service:

Dr Ramadan Ibrahim, Director of Health Regulation at the DHA, said the move will directly benefit 2,200 facilities and 26,800 health professionals in Dubai who now have an option of availing the 'VIP license service' at an additional cost.

The VIP licensing department will be located at the DHA Health Regulation office in Deira and will be operational by the end of year.

Survey to access Customer Satisfaction levels of health facilities:

Ramadan announced this service during the DHA's weekly Twitter Clinic known as #Smart_clinic. He also announced that the DHA's Health Regulation Department has introduced a survey for all health facilities in Dubai to access their customer satisfaction levels.

Dr Layla Al Marzouqi, Assistant- Director of DHA Health Regulation, said: " All facilities in Dubai - including hospitals, day-care surgery centres, clinics, polyclinics, pharmacies, optic shops etc.- are inspected at least twice a year by the health regulation department. We are keen to know the feedback for the healthcare community so that we can further improve our services."

She said the licensing department inspects health facilities several times prior to them obtaining a license; once they obtain a license, inspections take place at least twice a year and random inspections are also conducted if need be.

She added that the customer satisfaction survey will also enquire about their feedback with regard to the several health regulation services such as the newly introduced Zajeel service which  provides 'drop to your door' service for delivery of healthcare licenses issued to health professionals.

Patient awareness: unlicensed professionals/ facilities must be avoided at all costs.

Dr Marzouqi advised patients to approach the health regulation department for any queries regarding licensed medical facilities. "People must understand that they should only seek treatment for a licensed practitioner, at a licensed facility, for any procedure- aesthetic or otherwise. If they are not sure of the credentials of the physician or the facility, they can approach the DHA health regulation department.

"This is for their safety. Even the simplest of procedures should not be done in unlicensed facilities such as homes or hotels. For example, sometimes people ask professionals to come to their home for cupping therapy( Hijama) which is form of alternative medicine. In wet cupping, blood is drawn by vacuum from a small skin incision for therapeutic purposes. If not done properly using high standards of care, the procedure is  risky and could cause serious infections if not done properly in proper place."

She added that beauty parlours in Dubai are not licensed to conduct cupping, botox, fillers, laser hair removal and other such treatments and people should visit a licensed health healthcare facility for such procedures.

Those interested, can contact the health regulation department on 04-5022901 or 5022996 or e-mail the department at regulation@dha.gov.ae or alternatively they can visit the department at Business Village, Block B, Third Floor, Office 332, Near Deira Clock Tower.

-Ends-

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 Dubai Health Authority and His Excellency Engineer Essa Al Maidoor is the Director-General 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 2014