64% of hospitals in the UAE are internationally accredited

UAE, February 26, 2017 - In line with the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and in the framework of the meetings of the executive teams responsible for the National Agenda 2021 for health that aims at developing an integrated national action plan, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) hosted the first meeting of the executive team in charge of health regulation indicators led by H.E. Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Policy and Licensing and in the presence of representatives from the health authorities in the country,  with the objective of achieving National Health indicators: “Accredited Healthcare facilities” and “Malpractice Indicator”.

Dr. Al Amiri highlights the importance of joining efforts to deliver results 
Dr. Amin Al Amiri highlighted during the meeting the importance of the cooperation and collaboration between all health authorities in the UAE in taking the appropriate regulatory health decisions to achieve the targets of the national health agenda. It is a national priority to guarantee high quality healthcare services that meet the international standards and enhance UAE’s competitiveness and place it among the best countries in terms of healthcare services. 

Dr. Al Amiri presented the efforts put by the ministry of Health and Prevention to achieve the targeted indicator of internationally accredited healthcare facilities and rate of malpractice per 100,000 residents within the timeframe set in the National Agenda 2021. He commended the cooperation of all parties in achieving the two indices.

UAE leads the region with the highest percentage of hospitals with international accreditation

The Assistant Undersecretary also presented the data which shows that, as of end of 2016, 64% of the private and public facilities in UAE had international accreditations, exceeding the target for 2016 set at 62 per cent and enhancing the confidence in reaching 100% by end of 2021.
 
In terms of the rate of cases of medical malpractice per 100 thousand of the population, His Excellency, Dr. Al Amiri confirmed that the UAE has registered one of the lowest rates globally.

During the meeting, members of the executive team received delegations designed to ensure that targets are met as scheduled, within an integrated framework that promotes collaboration and teamwork.
 
MOHAP has previously issued a circular (Circular No. 412 of 2014) regarding the requirement of health accreditation for private health facilities within three to five years from the date of the circular, depending on the types of heath facility: three-years for public facilities and one-day surgery hospitals, and three to five years for other health facilities. The circular connects the licensing of the facility to the eligibility for international accreditation. The recommended global standards are the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI), the Joint Commission International (JCI) or the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation (CCHSA). 

Executive teams / Guidelines for achieving 52 national indicators
Last October, His Highness (H.H.) Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, required the establishment of “National Agenda Executive teams” with 550 official representing various parties, sectors and levels. The newly formed committee will work to achieve the 52 national indicators to measure the country’s performance in attaining its leadership, as well as the happiness and welfare of the community within the six national priorities--health, education, economy, environment, infrastructure, society, security and judicature.

The executive team’s mission is to develop short, intermediate and long term integrated action plans, to propose collaborative sub-committees to implement tasks and initiatives, to oversee the implementation of the plans using innovative tools, to coordinate with relevant governmental and international authorities to ensure the implementation, and to follow-up on the execution process and monitor its performance and to submit periodic reports.