Dubai Health Authority launches nine healthcare regulations for 2016

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, January 27, 2016: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) announced the launch of nine health regulations during a press conference that took place at Arab Health 2016.

Dr Layla Al Marzouqi, Director of Health Regulation at the DHA, said: “The regulations are either new regulations or are comprehensive updates. They are in line with new developments in the health care field and the aim is to ensure patient safety and provision of high quality health delivery in line with international standards.  During the development stage, DHA brought on board subject matter experts to help develop these regulations so that the regulations take into consideration the medical and practical aspects of compliance. The DHA also conducted multiple workshops with the private and public sector to ensure smooth implementation of the regulations.”

Al Marzouqi said that Health Regulation Department shared the draft of the new regulations and published it on the website for consultation and review by healthcare professionals and for public review and feedback.

She said the Department decides the new regulations based on a number of factors such as new medical treatments, audit reports from inspections of healthcare facilities etc.

The list of the nine new regulations are:

• Regulation for Oncology Services- Dubai is the only place in the Middle East to put in place a comprehensive regulation on oncology. The regulation includes detailed requirements for health investment in this field so that new services are not duplicated and priority is given to investors who bring in services that are in demand or are needed in the field of oncology.

• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Service Standards

• Laser and IPL Hair Reduction Standards- Revised regulation.

• Sleep Laboratory Guidelines: This is a relatively new service and due to the growth and demand of this service, the department chalked out clear regulations for this service.
• Hair Transplant Service Standards
• Colon Hydrotherapy (Colon Irrigation) Guidelines
• Scope of Practice and Clinical Responsibilities - Family Medicine –This is a newer and comprehensive version.
• Scope of Practice and Clinical Responsibilities - General Practitioner- New version.
• Scope of Practice and Clinical Responsibilities –Obs/Gyne-New version.

Dr Mohammed Oussama Kayali, Head of Regulation Section at the DHA said that DHA is working on chalking out scope of practice for several other medical fields and is working with experts on several other regulations that will be rolled out in 2016 and 2017.