UAE: Health centre fined Dh1 million; doctors being investigated for fraud

Eight other healthcare facilities in Abu Dhabi have been shut down for committing violations

Published: Sun 4 Feb 2024, 8:10 PM

Updated: Mon 5 Feb 2024, 8:25 AM

By
Web Desk

A health centre in Abu Dhabi has been fined Dh1 million by the Department of Health in the emirate (DoH). Several doctors at the centre have been referred for investigation on suspicion of fraud.

The centre is prohibited from offering dental services across all branches due to suspected fraudulent activities aimed at misappropriating public funds, effectively barring them from offering these services in the future.

The health department unveiled a series of decisive measures and actions taken against several healthcare facilities found in violation of healthcare laws, regulations, and policies in the emirate.

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In addition to this, DoH closed down eight healthcare facilities following extensive inspections including three (an occupational medicine centre, a laboratory, and a medical centre) which violated law related to the prevention of infectious diseases.

Four home care facilities were also closed down due to their failure to comply with the Department's standards and regulations governing home care services. The authority also closed down a dental clinic after substantiation of several violations including the employment of unlicensed healthcare professionals, as well as not adhering to the sterilisation protocols.

These centres committed multiple violations, which include:

failing to report cases of infectious diseases
non-compliance with regulations for electronic reporting
not providing medicines or supplies for emergency cases
failing to prevent infection
not keeping medical records safely
not adhering to the standards and regulations of home care services
not obtaining the patient’s consent for treatment
not clarifying the procedures and risks related to treatment
not providing health professionals licensed by DoH

DoH calls on all healthcare facilities operating in the emirate to comply with its policies and regulations to preserve the efficiency of the healthcare system in Abu Dhabi, preserve the health and safety of all community members, and continue providing healthcare services in accordance with international best practices.

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