UAE announces new rules, fines for health professionals

The UAE Government has announced stricter penalties for healthcare professionals found practising without a licence or not meeting the requirements.

The move is part of newly approved federal decrees and amendments to certain regulations covering healthcare professions, healthcare providers and veterinary medicine.

As part of the changes, the government has outlined a number of medical ethics and professional conduct for healthcare staff.

A national medical register will also be established for licensed healthcare professionals.

Amendments to the law also include allowing foreign entrepreneurs and investors to establish and own veterinary facilities, in order to enhance foreign investments in the veterinary sector.

UAE Government has approved federal decrees regulating the practice of healthcare professions, and establishing a national medical register, and also approved the laws on private health facilities and veterinary medicine#UAEGOV pic.twitter.com/bSKuRrAUcL

— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) August 8, 2023

Highlights of the new rules:

• Regulating the practice of a number of allied healthcare professions, including nursing, laboratories, medical physics, functional therapy, physiotherapy, aesthetics, anesthesia, audiology, and radiology.
• As per the law, no one is allowed to practice a health profession unless they are authorized by the health authority. Obtaining a licence requires a bachelor’s degree or a health profession qualification recognized in the country. The individual must be of good conduct and should be medically fit to perform their duties.
• Healthcare professionals are prohibited from selling or promoting medicines or samples to patients, or directing them to purchase medicines from a particular pharmacy.
• The law also prohibits the submission of false documents or incorrect data to the health authority or employer, in addition to prohibiting the disclosure of the patient's secrets.

Fines:

• Whoever practices the profession without holding a licence and without meeting the conditions that allow him/her to obtain the licence, or whoever submits incorrect documents or data or resorts to unlawful means that result in their wrongful licensing, will be jailed and/or fined an amount ranging between AED 50,000 and AED 100,000. In addition, the health authority may close the health facility if the violator operates it individually.
• Any person who practices the profession without holding a licence but who meets the conditions that allow him/her to obtain the licence will face fines ranging between AED 10,000 and AED 100,000. The authority may close the health facility if the violator operates it individually.
• The updated penalties include a written warning, a fine ranging between AED 1,000 and AED 500,000, a temporary suspension of the licence to practice the profession for a period not exceeding six months or the revocation of the licence , in case the director or the manager of the health facility, the administration or personnel violates the provisions of the law.
• A fine ranging between AED 1,000 and AED 1 million or temporary closure of the facility for a period not exceeding six months, or a final closure of the facility, in case a private health facility violates the rules.

Veterinary facilities:

• The amendments include updating the duration of expertise required for the licensing of Emirati veterinarians and recent graduates to pursue the profession.
• Veterinarians and assisted medical professionals are exempt from certain fees.
• Amendments also include allowing foreign entrepreneurs and investors to establish and own veterinary facilities, in order to enhance foreign investments.The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has established a national register for veterinarians, veterinarian practitioners and assistants authorized to practice in the country.