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Dubai health dept renamed as DHA

DUBAI — The Department of Health and Medical Services (Dohms) has been renamed as Dubai Health Authority (DHA), a top health official said yesterday.

DHA Director-General Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, while introducing the strategies and goals for 2007-2015 of the DHA, in particular, and the health sector, in general, said, “DHA has been formed after a joint exercise by the Dohms and Executive Council.”

Outlining the six strategic objectives of DHA, he said: “The main aim of DHA is governance, an integrated plan to ensure health provision, make healthcare accessible to all, provide quality (especially in ambulatory and hospital care), improve the workforce standards and increase public awareness on health.”

Al Murooshid said a major part of DHA’s finance aspect would include provision of insurance scheme. “The blueprint is ready and implementation of the proposed plan will take four to six months,” he added.

“For a better outcome, we are forming subsidiary agencies which will deliver health services. All these agencies will, however, be regulated by DHA,” he explained.

He said that the medical tourism sector in Dubai will also be a major area of growth.

He also promised that no patient would be financially affected by the upcoming changes in the policies.

Meanwhile, he said all public hospitals will be managed by an agency and regulated by the DHA within six months.

“A specialised agency will run public hospitals, and standards in private and public hospitals will be the same,” he explained without giving further details.

“DHA is open to cooperation with government and private hospitals abroad,” he added.

Al Murooshid also confirmed that by January 2008, health insurance will be implemented. “Insurance in Dubai will also be regulated by DHA but in coordination with health authorities of other emirates and the federal system,” he pointed out.