Healthcare transformation in the UAE The region is implementing legislation aimed at integrating international standards, says Christina Sochacki, Senior Associate at law firm Al Tamimi & Company
O
ver the past year, the healthcare and life sciences regulators have been very active across the Middle East. Amidst the continued plethora of COVID-19 related legislation, the regulators have continued to advance their healthcare systems and implement legislation aimed at integrating international standards. The region continues to focus on healthcare transformation.
UAE Healthcare Overview The UAE is a confederation of seven emirates. While the most well-known are Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the other emirates are Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm al-Qaiwain and Ras al-Khaimah, often collectively referred to as the ‘Northern Emirates’. At the federal level, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) oversees
the implementation of federal government policy in relation to the provision of comprehensive healthcare for all UAE citizens and residents. MOHAP works in collaboration with the local emirate health authorities to ensure that all public and private hospitals are accredited according to clear national and international quality standards of medical services and staff performance. The emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah have established their own health authorities, the Department of Health (DOH), the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), and the Sharjah Health Authority respectively. The remaining Northern Emirates rely on the MOHAP to act as their regulator to oversee delivery of healthcare services. Dubai and Abu Dhabi have the most developed rules and regulations among the seven emirates with respect to healthcare
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