UAE sick leave certificates: Hospitals and clinics can now apply on behalf of patients

Dubai: Patients in the UAE will no longer have to submit sick leave attestation applications themselves, under an upgraded service introduced by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP). The ministry has announced improvements to its sick leave attestation and approval services, allowing healthcare facilities licensed by MoHAP to submit applications directly on behalf of patients and their companions. The changes are designed to reduce paperwork, speed up approvals and simplify procedures as part of the UAE Government's Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme. Under the revised system, the healthcare facility that issues the sick leave certificate will also be responsible for submitting the attestation request. This means patients and their companions can obtain the required attestation or approval without having to complete additional application procedures themselves, allowing them to focus on recovery rather than administrative requirements. Automatic approval for eligible government employees One of the key improvements is the automatic integration of sick leave attestation and approval services for applications that meet the required conditions. Eligible applications will move directly from attestation to approval without the need to submit a separate request. The simplified process applies to federal government employees and local government employees in Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, subject to the approved regulations. The improvements also allow healthcare facilities to submit attestation applications for leave granted to people accompanying patients, in addition to sick leave certificates issued to patients themselves. Making government services simpler Abdullah Ahli, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector at MoHAP, said the improvements reflect the ministry's commitment to transforming the delivery of government services by redesigning procedures, simplifying the customer journey and strengthening coordination between government entities. He said the changes aim to deliver more accessible, efficient and proactive services that make a tangible difference to people's lives. Ahli added that the ministry is working towards a more flexible and sustainable service system, where government entities can exchange data and complete interconnected procedures based on customers' needs. He stressed that the success of the Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme should be measured by actual improvements in people's experiences and the efficiency of government operations. The ministry will continue to promote improvements in service delivery, strengthen public confidence and enhance the UAE's position among the world's most efficient governments, he added.