The General Medical Committee in Dubai has issued new comprehensive guidelines for policies including occupational injuries, medical leave, emergency leave and parking facilities for the disabled.

The guidelines are applicable to 74,000 Dubai government employees who work across 45 government authorities in Dubai and cover all medical issues including sick leave duration, hospitalization, medical emergencies and special needs parking.

The committee is currently holding several workshops to ensure all human resources officials in Dubai government organizations are aware of the latest unified policies related to their employees.

Dr Khaldoon Walid Nabhan, senior medical audit analyst and vice chairperson of the General Medical Committee of the Emirate of Dubai, said: “Details such as what qualifies as an occupational injury, the compensation an employee is entitled to according to the law, timeframe within which an employee must receive the compensation etc., rights of an employee during emergency and sick leave, duration of such leave, escort leave for family emergencies are all mentioned in the guidelines.”

Dr Nabhan added that the committee also discussed what defines the term light duty for an employee and those who qualify for it.

Dr Nahban said that the committee is working in cooperation with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and recently presented its recommendations with regard to dedicated parking slots for the disabled and processes for permission of window tinting of cars that is required for patients with certain medical conditions.

He said: “The committee recommended that slots should be available for those with permanent disabilities, temporary disabilities, the elderly and for those with certain chronic diseases. The committee is also working with the Community Development Authority and all applications for a disability card (Sanat) will now to given to the committee for evaluation.”

In the last few months, the committee has received over 15000 applications from various government departments and the committee has addressed every application within 48 working hours.

It was formed in 2007 and the roles and responsibilities of the committee include chalking out unified policies and processes for all government departments. –TradeArabia News Service