Expatriates will have to pay up for the medical tests and health services provided by the Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services (Dohms), irrespective of whether they hold health cards or not.
The decision, which will come into effect from May 10, was approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Deputy Ruler and Minister of Finance and Industry, in his capacity as the president of Dohms.
According to the decision, the fees will cover medical tests - both normal as well as specialised - carried out at the biochemistry and clinical chemistry laboratories.
Sheikh Hamdan has also approved the imposition of a Dh100 charge on any UAE national patient visiting Dohms clinics and medical centres, who do not hold the health cards or whose cards are invalid.
Such fees, however, do not apply to nationals holding valid medical cards, according to the decision.
The decision also pegs a fee of Dh40 for expatriates visiting general clinics, and Dh100 for visitors to specialised clinics and medical centres.
For expats who do not hold health cards or those with invalid cards, fees of Dh100 at general clinics and Dh200 at specialised centres will be levied.
According to Khalid Al Sheikh Mubarak, assistant director general of Dohms for financial and administrative affairs, these fees were created following an exhaustive review of the quality of medical services provided by Dohms.
He said the fees were put in place after careful consideration of the economic status of Dubai in particular and the UAE in general was, as well as the incomes of individuals.
The money generated from these fees will be used for improving medical services and facilities at 20 Dohms laboratories, who conduct around 4,560,000 tests in various specialisations every year.
Fee structure will be effective from May 10
* The new fee structure will take effect from Monday, May 10
* Earlier, lab tests and consultations used to be free for holders of health cards.
* Under the new fee scheme, expatriates who have health cards must pay Dh40 for visiting general physicians and Dh100 for a session with specialists.
* Expatriates who don't have health cards have to pay Dh100 at general clinics and Dh200
at specialised centres.
* UAE nationals who do not have health cards or have invalid ones must pay Dh100 per visit to a Dohms clinic and medical centres.
* No fees will be levied for UAE nationals holding valid health cards.
* In August last year, Dohms also revised the fees for maternity and dental services.
Expats to pay for medical services at Dohms clinics
Expatriates will have to pay up for the medical tests and health services provided by the Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services (Dohms), irrespective of whether they hold health cards or not.
