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No licence, no practice for health professionals

DUBAI — Health professionals working without a licence in Dubai will be blacklisted and not allowed to work in any other emirate, according to the Dubai Health Authority.

The warning came after the authority found a number of health professionals working in the emirate without a licence. In a recent circular issued to health establishments, the authority warned of legal action against those found in violation.

The circular said that offenders would not be licensed for a year in Dubai while their details would also be circulated to other UAE Licensing Authorities via “Blacklist”. A fine of Dh5,000 will also be imposed on the individual.

“Health professionals are not permitted to commence work until they hold a licensure card,” it said.

The circular says the professionals are not allowed to commence work even in situations where the licence application has been submitted or a licence assessment has been conducted and a pass result given. The professionals cannot work even in cases where the licence has been approved, but has not been issued.

Facilities hiring such professionals will also be fined Dh5,000 and will be shut down for a period of two weeks in case of a recurrence.

Earlier this year, a fake plastic surgeon wanted by Interpol made international headlines after police arrested him for working in Dubai without a licence and disfiguring a number of women.

The authority in 2008 overhauled its licensing system and also made demonstration of practical skills compulsory for licensing physicians. Currently, 3,500 physicians from the public and private sector have been registered with the authority.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com