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The DOH healthcare license for a medical facility is a legal document that permits it to operate legally in Abu Dhabi. The DOH assesses the healthcare facilities during the licensing process to make sure that all the facilities, like hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centers, or pharmacies, are meeting all the healthcare standards outlined in the DOH Health Facility Guidelines, Licensing Standards, and eServices User Manual.
The eligibility criteria for the facilities to get the DOH license include having a legal ownership backed by a valid trade license from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), submission of a detailed facility proposal, and compliance with engineering and safety guidelines. The facilities that deal with radioactive materials need a clearance from the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and have to comply with the Malaffi health information exchange system.
The DOH medical licenses for facilities are categorised into different types, like hospital license, outpatient care license, diagnostic centre license, pharmacy license, specialised units license, and license for other clinical support. The DOH facility licensing process involves multiple steps, like registration on the TAMM platform, preliminary inspection, submission of application and license fees, and final approval. The DOH medical facility licensing process takes between 3 to 6 months. The total cost of a DOH medical license for a facility ranges from AED 7,000 to AED 40,000.
The DOH facility license process has different limitations, like the validity period of preliminary approvals and periodic reporting obligations. The most common reasons for license rejection are incomplete documents, lack of qualified medical staff, and failure to pass the inspections. The expert consultancy must be utilised for a smooth application process, as they will guide you to complete the documents and fulfil all the DOH requirements on time.
What are the eligibility criteria for facilities to obtain a DOH medical license in Abu Dhabi?
The eligibility criteria for facilities to obtain a DOH medical license in Abu Dhabi include authorized ownership, a facility proposal, approved engineering layout, clearance from the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), required documentation, compliance with Malaffi standards, and inspections conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) as mentioned in the official website of Department of Health-Abu Dhabi.
Here are the eligibility criteria for facilities to obtain a DOH medical license in Abu Dhabi.
Ownership of Facility
The medical facility must have a legal owner or investor who holds a trade license and is registered with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED). The investor needs to submit documents like a valid Emirates ID, passport copies, and a Trade License or Initial Trade Name Certificate issued by ADDED to confirm ownership of the facility.
Proposal of Facility
The facility proposal, required during the licensing process, includes detailed information about the type of healthcare services to be provided, medical specialties, staffing plan, and architectural layout. This proposal should also have a fire safety certificate issued by Abu Dhabi Civil Defense and follow DOH Health Facility Guidelines.
Approval from Abu Dhabi Municipality
The healthcare facility requires approval from Abu Dhabi Municipality for its location and layout. They need to submit the land plot number and the tenancy contract, and follow the zoning regulations during the building construction process.
Clearance from the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR)
The facility needs clearance in the form of a radiation safety license from the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) in case it deals with radiation-emitting equipment like X-rays or CT scanners. This radiation safety license makes sure that the healthcare facility has proper protective measures and trained staff to deal with radioactive materials.
Verification Prequalification
The large facilities like hospitals and multi-specialty centers need to pass the prequalification verification, in which DOH assesses the project’s technical viability, investment capacity, and alignment with Abu Dhabi’s healthcare regulations.
Compliance with Malaffi Standards
The medical facilities must comply with the Malaffi standards, which are Abu Dhabi’s Health Information Exchange platform. They need to integrate the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system with standard coding systems like ICD-10 and CPT to share and analyze the patient’s data across the Emirates.
What are the types of DOH medical licenses for facilities?
The types of DOH medical licenses for facilities are hospital licenses, outpatient care facilities licenses, diagnostic centers licenses, pharmacies licenses, specialized unit licenses, and clinical support facilities licenses, as mentioned in the Standard for Healthcare Facility Licensure of DOH. Every type of license makes sure that the specific type of healthcare facility follows the healthcare standards set by the Department of Health-Abu Dhabi.
The types of DOH medical licenses for facilities are outlined below.
Hospitals
The hospital’s license allows it to provide inpatient services, surgical procedures, emergency care, and specialized treatments in Abu Dhabi. The hospital license permits the following healthcare facilities to provide their services.
- General Hospitals
- Specialized Hospitals like Cardiology, Oncology, Orthopedics, and Maternity
Outpatient Healthcare Facilities
The outpatient healthcare facilities provide emergency healthcare and day procedures without overnight stays. The outpatient healthcare facilities’ licenses allow the following healthcare facilities in Abu Dhabi.
- Medical Centers like Multispecialty services
- Specialized Clinics like Cardiology and Dermatology
- Dental Clinics
- Day Surgery Centers
- Fertility Centers
- Home Healthcare Centers
- School Clinics
- Occupational Health Clinics
- Telemedicine Facilities
- Pain Management Centers
- Renal Dialysis Centers
- Mental Health Clinics
Diagnostic Centers
The DOH licenses of diagnostic centers allow them to perform laboratory and imaging diagnostics. This license covers the following types of facilities:
- Medical Laboratory for Pathology and Hematology
- Radiology Center for X-ray, MRI, CT, and Ultrasound
- Comprehensive Diagnostic Center for Multiple diagnostic services
Pharmacies
The DOH facility licenses for pharmacies to store, distribute, and dispense the medicines within Abu Dhabi. The facilities that are allowed to provide their services with this license are given below.
- Community/Retail Pharmacy
- Hospital Pharmacy
- Chain Pharmacies
- Drug Warehouses
- Medical Supply & Equipment Store
Specialized Units
The DOH licenses for specialized units allow healthcare facilities to practice targeted medical services in Abu Dhabi. This license covers the following types of healthcare facilities in Abu Dhabi:
- Ambulance Services
- Blood Bank
- Mobile Clinics
- Patient Transport Services
- Cord Blood Bank
- Isolation Units
- First Aid Units
Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) Centers
The DOH license for Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) centers allows the following types of facilities in Abu Dhabi:
- Acupuncture
- Ayurveda
- Homeopathy
- Osteopathy
- Chiropractic
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Herbal Medicine
Clinical Support Facilities
The DOH medical license for clinical support facilities, such as those mentioned below:
- Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Centers
- Occupational Therapy Centers
- Speech and Audiology Clinics
- Prosthetics & Orthotics Centers
- Psychology Clinics
- Dietetics and Nutrition Counseling Centers
- Optical Centers
- Dental Laboratories
- Podiatry Clinics
Long-Term and Residential Care Facilities
The DOH license for long-term and residential care facilities is for the following types of healthcare facilities:
- Nursing Homes
- Long-Term Rehabilitation Facilities
- Hospice Centers
- Addiction Treatment & Recovery Facilities
- Elderly Care Centers
What are the DOH license requirements for facilities in Abu Dhabi?
The DOH license requirements for facilities in Dubai are an authorized owner or investor, a trade license, an approved facility layout, qualified healthcare professionals, compliance with facility guidelines, and registration on the DOH e-services platform, as mentioned on the official website of the Department of Health-Abu Dhabi.
The DOH license requirements for facilities in Abu Dhabi are outlined below.
- Authorized Owner or Investor
- Registered Trade License or Trade name in Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED)
- Detailed Facility Proposal
- Approved Facility Layout from the DOH’s Health Facility Guidelines (HFG)
- Onwani number and Location Details from the Department of Municipalities and Transport’s Onwani system
- Qualified and Licensed Healthcare Professionals
- Valid Civil Defense Certificate
- Valid Waste Management Contract
- IT Infrastructure & EMR System compatible with DOH’s Shafafiya system
What is the process for obtaining a DOH medical license as a facility in Abu Dhabi?
The process for obtaining a DOH medical license as a facility in Abu Dhabi includes selecting the type of facility, creating a TAMM account, submitting the application through the e-licensing system, obtaining preliminary approval, preparing the facility, applying for final inspection, and receiving the final license approval from the DOH.
Here is the process for obtaining a DOH medical license as a facility in Abu Dhabi.
- Select a facility type like a clinic, hospital, or pharmacy according to your services and business model.
- Register on the TAMM portal by using the basic information like a valid Emirates ID, an active mobile number, and an Email ID.
- Start the application process by filling out the online application for a healthcare facility and submitting all the required documents, like owner details, proposed facility information, and types of services.
- Get a preliminary approval from the DOH when they have reviewed your application.
- Complete the preparation of the facility as per proposal submitted during the application, like constructing infrastructure, hiring DOH-licensed staff, and incorporating an approved IT and EMR system.
- Apply for the facility inspection when you are done with facility preparation and have MCC (Monitor and Control Center) and Malaffi (Electronic Medical Record) approvals. The DOH team will check whether the facility is complying with all standards or not.
- Pay the DOH facility license fees that vary depending on the type of medical facility and the validation period of the license.
- Obtain a final approval and an active DOH facility license when inspection is completed.
How much time is required for a facility to obtain a DOH medical license?
The estimated time required for a facility to obtain a DOH medical license is 3 to 6 months, as mentioned on the DOH’s official website. This time depends upon different factors like preliminary approval, inspections, document preparation, and application completeness.
Here is the breakdown of the total estimated time to obtain a DOH medical license:
- Preliminary approval takes up to 7 working days.
- Inspection processes are completed within 10 working days.
- Construction of the facility is done in between 3 to 6 months.
How much does it cost for a facility to obtain a DOH medical license?
The total cost for a facility to obtain a DOH medical license ranges from AED 7,000 to AED 40,000, which varies for every type of medical facility. Here is the breakdown of the total cost to obtain a DOH medical license:
| Item | Estimated Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Initial Application Fee | 1,000 – 3,000 |
| Facility Registration Fee | 5,000 – 10,000 |
| Engineering Drawing Approval & Layout Review | 1,000 – 3,000 |
| Facility Inspection Fee | 1,000 – 2,000 |
| Medical Director/Healthcare Staff Licensing (per person) | 2,000 – 4,000 |
| DataFlow Verification (per person) | 500 – 1,500 |
| EMR / Malaffi Compliance Setup | 3,000 – 6,000 |
| Civil Defense / Safety Compliance Certificate | 1,000 – 3,000 |
| Professional Liability Insurance | 1,500 – 4,000 |
| Waste Management Contract (Annual) | 1,000 – 3,000 |
| Consultancy Services (Optional) | 3,000 – 10,000 |
What is the validity period for a facility’s DOH medical license?
The validity period for a facility’s DOH medical license is one year, according to Law No. (23) of 2005 as mentioned on the official website of the DOH. The owners or investors need to renew facility licenses every year three months before the expiry date.
What are the limitations for a facility to obtain a DOH medical license?
The limitations for a facility to obtain a DOH medical license are preliminary approval validity periods, engineering, drawing approvals, periodic reporting obligations, and consequences of non-compliance. The DOH facility’s medical license is valid only for one year and needs renewal annually, as mentioned on the official DOH website.
Here are the limitations for a facility to obtain a DOH medical license:
- The DOH authority permits preliminary approval validity periods to healthcare facilities to complete their infrastructure, equipment, staffing, and obtain other required licenses. The validity period of preliminary approval is different for every facility type. For instance, it is 5 years for the new hospital construction and 3 years for hospitals with existing buildings, as mentioned on the official website of the Department of Health (DOH).
- The engineering layouts and drawings of the facilities require approval from the DOH within 3 to 6 months of preliminary approval. The facilities need to submit the layouts and drawings of the building, which comply with the DOH Health Facility Guidelines, and get approval within the assigned period.
- The healthcare facilities must submit the periodic detailed project completion reports, along with supporting documents, every 6 months to the Health Facilities Licensing and Registration Department. The DOH has the right to cancel the preliminary approvals in case it observes non-seriousness and does not receive the periodic reports.
Can a facility with a DOH license operate in other Emirates?
No, a facility with a DOH license cannot operate in other Emirates. The DHA facility license is required to operate in Dubai, and the MOHAP facility license is required to operate in the Northern Emirates.
What are the reasons for the rejection of a facility’s DOH license in Abu Dhabi?
The reasons for the rejection of a facility’s DOH medical license in Abu Dhabi are incomplete documentation, failure to meet DOH Health Facility Design Standards, lack of qualified staff, and failure to pass preliminary and final inspections. The DOH rejects the license applications of the healthcare facilities when they do not meet the requirements outlined in the DOH Health Facility Guidelines, Licensing Standards, and eServices User Manual, which are mentioned on the DOH official website.
Here are the reasons for the rejection of a facility’s DOH license in Abu Dhabi:
- Incomplete or incorrect submission of required documents
- Non-compliance with DOH Health Facility Design and Engineering Guidelines
- Lack of qualified and licensed healthcare professionals
- Absence of an appointed Medical Director or Clinical Director
- Unapproved scope of clinical services
- Failure to pass the DOH facility’s preliminary and final inspection
- No valid trade license or commercial registration
- Inadequate waste management or infection control protocols
- Lack of a compliant Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system
- Location not aligned with DOH zoning or jurisdictional requirements
- Delays in fulfilling licensing conditions within the permitted time frame
What is the process for a facility disqualified to obtain a DOH medical license?
The facility has an option of appeal option in case it is disqualified to obtain a DOH medical license. The facility representative needs to submit a formal request on the official TAMM or DOH e-licensing portal. This appeal should be supported through necessary documentation. The DOH will send an appeal reference number via SMS. The DOH will review the appeal and the facility thoroughly to check whether they have fulfilled all the missing requirements or not. They will communicate the answer through SMS or a call.
Expert consultation for a facility to obtain a DOH medical license
Expert consultation for a facility must be considered to obtain a DOH medical license for a smooth application process and increase the chances of success. The expert consultation companies have years of experience in the DOH license application process. They have a deep understanding of the requirements mentioned in the DOH Health Facility Guidelines, Licensing Standards, and eServices User Manual, so they can guide healthcare facilities to meet their requirements. That’s why it is recommended to go for the expert consultation for a facility to obtain a DOH medical license.
The best expert consultations for a facility to obtain a DOH medical license are listed below.
- Alpha for Training & Strategic Management
- Felix Happich
- High Quality Health Consultancy (HQHC)
- Unihealth Healthcare Management Consultancy
- Infom HealthCare Management Consultancy
- Champions Healthcare Consultancy
- Sangani Consultancy
- Healthserve Health Consultancy
