The Dubai Health Authority has launched an electronic inspection system for health facilities and healthcare professionals in Dubai, a top DHA official said.

The new system provides a paperless environment for health inspections and facilitates on-the-spot violations. The aim of the introducing e-inspections is to further develop the emirate’s healthcare system, protect the rights of patients and provide high-quality medical services across the public and private health sectors in Dubai.

Dr Ramadan Ibrahim, director of the DHA Health Regulation Department, said: “E-inspections ensure on-the-spot notification of violations so that prompt action is taken against any irregularities.”

“Henceforth, inspectors will carry out inspections using hand-held devices and all information provided by the individual and healthcare facility will be verified online during the time of inspection.”

“Once the inspector reaches the healthcare facility, he will verify that all doctors working in the facility are licensed by referring to the DHA online licensing system. Thus, inspections no longer need to go back and forth with any kind of information as everything will be available online,” he added. “Inspections will look into several other parameters as well to ensure all processes are in line with DHA health regulatory standards.”

He said the healthcare facilities and individuals will get immediate electronic notification of the violation which ranges from issuing warnings, fines, and temporary or permanent closure of the facility; depending on the severity of the violation.

The new system will enhance work efficiency and performance, and is in line with the Emirate’s vision to have e-initiatives across all government departments.

“The new system, which has been built in-house by the DHA IT department, helps save time, ensures on-the-spot documentation of violation and helps accelerate the pace of reporting violations,” Ibrahim said. “In the future the system will also be able to provide individuals and health facilities with online updates on health licensing.”

The DHA health regulation department oversees the functioning of 220 healthcare facilities in Dubai and has licensed more than 25,000 health professionals in Dubai. “Year on year, we see a substantial increase in the number of facilities and health professionals that apply to practise in Dubai. This is due to the simplification of investment procedures in the emirate and because of a strong and efficient regulatory system,” he said.

From January to September this year, the authority has carried out 3,156 inspectional visits during which the inspectors have issued 196 violations including 150 fines for individuals and health facilities, 44 warnings to health facilities and temporary closure of two facilities. – TradeArabia News Service