DHA regulation department asks health sector to update details.

Non-compliance to result in fine of Dh 5000.

United Arab Emirates, Dubai, August 18, 2013: The DHA's health regulation department which is responsible for the regulation of the health facilities and professionals in the Emirate of Dubai, except for Dubai Healthcare City, issued a circular to the health sector asking them to update their details on the online licensing system known as Sheryan.

The online system was launched in the last quarter of 2011 and to date more than 431,404 e-transactions have taken place using the system.

The online model provides healthcare facilities, investors and healthcare professionals an e-application system and facilitates a completely paperless environment.

More than 446 health centers are located across 74 different countries so that healthcare professionals who wish to work in Dubai can apply for a license online from any part of the world.

Ramadan Ibrahim, Director of Health Regulation at the DHA said: “Since the introduction of this system, we have seen a significant leap in the number of applications –both in terms of individuals who are keen to work in Dubai's health sector as well as investors who would like to set up healthcare facilities here.”

Ibrahim said currently the licensing system is applicable for 117 specialties and that the system will facilitate further investment in healthcare in Dubai. 'Today, a doctor or a healthcare professional can apply to practice in the Emirate of Dubai from any part of the world through this system. This system will definitely provide an impetus to investment in the sector and is of great convenience to healthcare professionals. For instance, an investor who has established a new hospital in Dubai would require 200-300 nurses. He no longer needs to bring the nurses to Dubai and apply for their license, the nurses can apply for the license online from their home country-this saves time, money and makes the process very simple.”

He further added that updating data on healthcare professionals and facilities is also an easier procedure since everything is online. He said: “We have issued a circular to healthcare professionals to update their details including their contact details in case they have moved jobs etc. so that they receive all our messages and alerts. We have also asked healthcare facilities to update their details and provide us with complete information including plot no etc. so that we have the updated record of all information relating to the health sector. This information also works as a strong baseline to get a microscopic analysis of the health sector at present and we share this information with our counterparts at the DHA from time-to-time so that they can analyze the gaps and strengths in the heath sector and incorporate the necessary updates in our future plans for the health sector.”

He also said having an online record of all the facilities in Dubai helps in capacity planning and channelizing investment according to the need of the health sector.

Ramadan said that failure to update details online will result in a fine. “ Facilities that fail to upgrade complete details including the name of the medical director will face a fine of Dh 5000. Similarly failure to update details of healthcare professionals working within the facility will also result in a Dh 5000 fine.”
 
He said Dubai has over 2,310 health facilities in Dubai both in the public and private sectors, and these facilities employ more than 24,500 healthcare professionals, respectively 18,500 in the private and 6,000 in the public sectors. There are a total of 31 hospitals with 27 in the private and four in the government sector. The year 2012 saw three new hospitals opened in the private sector. A few more are under construction which is expected to add a further 1,500 beds to the hospitals in Dubai. A total of 521 polyclinics and 566 pharmacies are also operational in the Emirate.