Dubai suspends 13 doctors' licences

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) suspended the licences of 13 doctors this year. Licences of two doctors were revoked this year.

Dr Layla Al Marzouqi, Director of Health Regulation and the Dubai Medical Tourism Initiative, explained to Emirates 24|7 that the licences are suspended or revoked if the doctor “does not update his/her knowledge and experience”.

According to the Dubai Healthcare Authority (DHA) stats last year, the number this year has increased. In 2014, licences of seven doctors were suspended and two doctors' licences were revoked.

“He/she receives a licence based on his knowledge and experience at the time of applying for the license but if over the years he fails to keep up with the latest knowledge, then in such cases, we can revoke or suspend licence,” she added.

Medical negligence is an area that the DHA tackles with utmost seriousness.

Dr Layla said the top case of negligence was pertaining to “the non-compliance of internationally-known standards of treating a patient and incomplete communication that lead to complications”.

She elaborated, “For example, if a patient is allergic to certain medication and the doctor does not check allergy history and prescribe a medication that causes the patient to get an allergic reaction.

“We insist that every healthcare facility displays the ‘patients’ protection bill’ in its entirety so every patient is aware about their rights.”

From February 2011, it was mandatory for every healthcare facility in Dubai to display the Patient's Charter of Rights and Responsibilities.

Dr Layla added, “every resident has the right to complain if they feel they were not given the medical services they were promised, or whether there was any slip-up in the treatment meted out to them”.

These guidelines are put up to “ensure that Dubai provides the best medical facility, and that the channels are open to discuss any lapses”.

Once a complaint is filed, it’s treated based on the severity of the issue. There are three types – “minor (no injury), moderate (increased length of stay or surgical intervention as a result of the incident) and major (procedure with wrong patient or body part or medical error leading to death)”.

“Then a committee of three doctors – two specialists and one general physician – check for medical liability and investigate each case. The action is determined by the severity of the case.”

Dr Layla stressed “there are clear guidelines on how to lodge a complaint. They can either file a written complaint between 8am and 2pm at the DHA clinical governance office in Deira or e-mail cg@dha.gov.ae, or call 800DHA (342).

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