The Dubai Health Authority calls on health professionals and facilities to renew their licenses in order to avoid penalties

UAE, Dubai: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) called on health professionals and facilities to renew their DHA licenses to avoid any penalties.

The authority also announced its future plans to tie up with the Department of Economic Development to unify the licensing process to ensure a smooth and swift procedure that will achieve customer happiness and satisfaction.

Dr Marwan Al Mulla, CEO of the DHA’s Health Regulation Sector stressed the importance of abiding by the authority’s laws and regulations of renewal to ensure that the medical services in Dubai provide quality health services hence ensuring the safety and the wellbeing of Dubai’s community.

 “Healthcare professionals must maintain the validity of their DHA license and make sure that it’s renewed prior to the expiry date by three months. Those who practice with an expired license [clinical or administrative duties] will be penalized,” said Dr Al Mulla.

In order to renew health professional’s license; doctors, pharmacists, supporting medical professionals and dentists must first apply and pay online through the online licensing initiative Sheryan. They need to provide a malpractice insurance and primary source verification report as well as a medical fitness test if the applicant is 65 years and above.

Once the required documents are reviewed and approved by the health regulation department, the license will be issued.

Dr Al Mulla also revealed that health professionals must also finish their continual medical education (CME) requirements as a prerequisite to obtaining their license.

“Doctors are required to complete 40 hours of CME per year while nurses and pharmacist must complete 20 hours and medical supporting professionals must complete 10 hours,” he said.

Health facilities can apply in the same way through Sheryan but must provide a trade license and DHA undertaking letter to be reviewed before approval.

Dr Al Mulla concluded by stating that the DHA has held various meetings with the aim of unifying the process with the DED to further streamline the licensing and renewal procedures for medical facilities making the procedures faster and easier— ultimately encouraging health investment.

-Ends-

For further information, please contact:

Mahmoud Al Ali

Head of Media

Dubai Health Authority

myalali@dha.gov.ae

+9714 219 7260

Kamakshi Gupta and Noor Nazzal

Communications Analysts- Media Dept.

Dubai Health Authority

klgupta@dha.gov.ae  nnnazzal@dha.gov.ae 

+9714 2197455

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. 

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

In May 2018, H.H Sheikh Mohammed, issued Law No. (6) Of 2018 of the DHA. The new Law further enables the DHA to achieve its objectives including regulating medical services in Dubai, enhancing competiveness and transparency, improving medical services and products based on international best practices and achieving the sector’s objectives according to approved strategic plans.

According to the Law, DHA will ensure the availability of quality medical insurance programmes, improve medical services according to the highest international standards, contribute to providing attractive infrastructure for investments, boost Dubai’s position as a global hub for medical tourism and medical education, encourage innovation in the healthcare sector and improve preventive healthcare measures.

The Law specified DHA’s responsibilities to include preparing a comprehensive strategic plan for Dubai’s healthcare sector, conducting studies and surveys to define Dubai’s future needs and matching the results with future investments, licensing and monitoring medical workers and medical facilities according to DHA’s approved regulations. Its responsibilities also include regulating medical education and medical research in collaboration with competent local and international authorities and drafting and developing policies and procedures for the healthcare sector in Dubai.

The Law authorises DHA to regulate and approve the prices of medical services offered by private healthcare facilities in Dubai and ensure the quality of medical services. DHA is also responsible for regulating and facilitating the sending of patients for specialised medical treatment to healthcare facilities both within and outside the country, regulating and overseeing medical tourism in collaboration with concerned authorities, managing and developing policies that govern medical insurance and regulating medical advertising in Dubai.

H.H Sheikh Mohammed also issued Decree No. 17 of 2018 establishing subsidiaries of the DHA: the Dubai Healthcare Corporation and Dubai Health Insurance Corporation to further enhance healthcare services in Dubai and enable DHA to fulfil its responsibilities and obligations.

Three new strategic sectors were also added as part of the decree; they include Strategy and Corporate Development, Health Regulation, and Shared Support Services.

In addition to overseeing the health sector for the Emirate of Dubai, the DHA also focuses on providing services through DHA healthcare facilities including Latifa, Dubai, Rashid and Hatta Hospitals, its 12 primary healthcare centres, 17 medical fitness centres and its 6 specialty centres.

For more information, visit DHA’s website: www.dha.gov.ae 

© Press Release 2018