Dubai: There are currently 145 health-care facilities providing plastic surgery services in Dubai, employing 141 plastic surgeons, according to the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).
In a statement to Gulf News, the DHA said patients should not seek unlicensed operators in a bid to save costs.
Dr Layla Al Marzouqi, assistant director and head of the clinical governance office at the DHA Health Regulation Department, said in the statement: “It is absolutely essential that patients check the credentials of doctors before undergoing any kind of surgery — aesthetic or otherwise.
“Dubai has internationally recognised aesthetic surgeons and it is important to ensure that patients go to the right specialist, one who is licensed by the DHA, whether it is for something as minor as Botox or for a major surgery.”
She added: “Patients must avoid getting plastic surgeries done at non-licensed venues for the sake of cheaper prices. For example, private residences are not the right venue for operations and small clinics are not the right place for major plastic surgeries.”
The statement said, “It is a known fact that Dubai has some of the best plastic surgeons in the world practising here and therefore medical tourists do visit the emirate for plastic surgeries as well.
“DHA also ensures high quality of plastic surgeons in Dubai and undertakes several measures to ensure this.
“Among them are firm regulatory and licensure requirements. Moreover, tight quality assurance measures like random and planned inspection of health-care facilities in Dubai and auditing performance of health-care professionals are some of the measures that are undertaken by the regulatory department.”
In 2013, the DHA received 11 plastic surgery complaints — one case of malpractice was proven and the rest are still under investigation.
