Dubai: Health professionals and hospitals in the private sector that fail to renew their licences with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) will have to pay heavy penalties, said a top DHA official.
The DHA has launched an awareness drive to encourage organisations and individuals to be punctual in their renewals.
Dr Marwan Al Mulla, CEO of the DHA’s Health Regulation Sector, stressed the importance of abiding by DHA’s renewal laws and regulations, to ensure that the medical services in Dubai provide quality health services, thus ensuring the safety and well-being of Dubai’s community.
“Health care professionals must maintain the validity of their DHA licence and make sure that it’s renewed before the expiry date by three months. Those who practice with an expired license [clinical or administrative duties] will be penalised,” said Dr Al Mulla.
DHA 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.
In order to renew health professionals’ licences, doctors, pharmacists, supporting medical professionals and dentists must first apply and pay online through ‘Sheryan’, the online licensing initiative. 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 also finish their continual medical education (CME) requirements as a prerequisite to obtaining their licence.
“Doctors are required to complete 40 hours of CME per year, while nurses and pharmacist 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.
Dr Al Mulla concluded by stating that the DHA has 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 the procedures faster and easier, ultimately encouraging health investment.
