The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) held a workshop for the health sector in the emirate on the new decree for the licensure of healthcare professionals and facilities.

The decree, which will be applicable from May, is consolidated and streamlined, and its aim is to raise the quality of healthcare in the emirate and protect patients, a statement said.

The details of the new decree, ‘Executive Council Decree No. 32’, were discussed in detail at the workshop which was held at the Rashid Medical Library by the Health Regulation Department of DHA.

“The aim of the new decree is to further strengthen the quality of healthcare provided in Dubai. All the rules and regulations of this decree revolve around two key principles- patient safety and patient’s rights,” said Dr Ramadan Ibrahim, director of DHA Health Regulation.

“The new decree brings together new and existing policies under one umbrella as well as incorporates new medical specialities such as that of a hospitalist. We have taken into consideration all the latest healthcare trends before finalising this decree to ensure it is up-to-date with the advances in healthcare regulation and licensing.”

The decree will support and promote newer medical specialities and it has made it easier for highly specialised professionals to obtain a license as well as for facilities and existing healthcare professionals to reinstate licences if revoked, he added.

The decree has introduced new fees for licensing healthcare professionals and facilities, and heftier fines for violations to ensure high-quality of healthcare in the emirate. For example, penalty for an unlicensed person practising medicine in Dubai has now been increased from Dh10,000 ($2,721) to Dh50,000.

If patients are not provided with a copy of their medical report, the health facility will be fined Dh2,000.

“It is important to note that these measures have been taken to protect patient rights,” said Dr Al Marzouqi, head of clinical governance at the DHA.

“The decree will enhance transparency, fairness and will further raise the quality of healthcare in Dubai,” she added.

“While the decree does levy stringent fines on issues such as practising without a medical license, it is also more supportive of newer specialities, incorporates easier procedures for highly-qualified doctors to practise medicine in Dubai and in general is supportive towards the growth and development of the medical sector.”

She highlighted that under the decree, a centralised medical practice committee in collaboration with the DHA health regulation department will oversee the licensing of medical professionals and facilities.

In January 2013, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council issued a decision on the regulation of practice of health professions in Dubai.

The Crown Prince instructed a permanent committee affiliated with the DHA to propose and review the rules, conditions and standards of health practice in the emirate as well as the penalties on the ethical, technical and administrative breaches.

“As per the decision, the committee will function in collaboration with the DHA regulation department to regulate all areas of licensing which includes penalties for violations,” said Dr Al Marzouqi.

She added that a dedicated grievance committee will also be formed as part of the decree and the committee will be dedicated to dealing with reappeals both administrative and medical lodged by hospitals and healthcare professionals who are unsatisfied with action that was taken against them.

This could range from a fine to a disciplinary action, she noted.

“Previously a hospital or healthcare professional had 15 days from the date of the appeal to file a reappeal process, now this has been extended to 30 days for their convenience and the result of the re-appeal will be given within 30 days of filing it,” she added.

Dubai Healthcare City will be exempted from the provisions according to law no 9 of 2011, according to the statement. – TradeArabia News Service