Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has called on health professionals and facilities to renew their licences in order to avoid penalties.
The authority also announced its future plans to tie up with the Department of Economic Development (DED) 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 DHA’s Health Regulation Sector, stressed the importance of abiding by the authority’s laws and regulations of renewal to ensure that the medical facilities in Dubai provide quality health services thereby securing the safety and the well-being of Dubai’s community.
“Healthcare professionals must maintain the validity of their DHA licence and make sure that it’s renewed three months prior to the expiry date,” said Dr Al Mulla. “Those who practise with an expired licence [clinical or administrative duties] will be penalised.”
In order to renew the licence, doctors, pharmacists, supporting medical professionals and dentists must first apply and pay 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 licence will be issued.
Dr Al Mulla also revealed that health professionals must finish their continuing medical education (CME) requirements as a prerequisite to obtaining their licence.
“Doctors are required to complete 40 hours of CME a year while nurses and pharmacists 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 licence and DHA undertaking letter to be reviewed before approval.
DHA 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 them faster and easier ultimately encouraging investment in the health sector, said Dr Al Mulla.
