How To Set up a Medical Clinic in Dubai with DHA Approval / License

Dubai has one of the most excellent healthcare systems in the world. It offers a home to world-class hospitals and clinics that provide exceptional care to patients. However, Dubai experiences high population growth. This puts a lot of pressure on the available healthcare facilities. Thus, if you want to set up a clinic in Dubai, you have the right market for your business.

Learning how to open a clinic in Dubai is critical to the success of your clinic license application. The Covid-19 crisis demonstrated the importance of a robust healthcare system. Through the pandemic, people could appreciate the preparedness and planning of the healthcare system to handle outbreaks.

The National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA) and the UAE government issued the first alert before WHO declared a pandemic. They also put in place proper healthcare protocols to handle the crisis. The government provided access to testing centres equipped with up-to-date testing systems.

To ease the pressure on hospitals, the health department set up field hospitals for faster response. The national healthcare system in the UAE is constantly expanding to cater to the ever-growing needs of its people.

Statistics dating to 2021 indicate that Dubai has 32 hospitals, 429 clinics, and 868 pharmacies. The government licensed over 28,000 health professionals in this year’s first quarter.

This is in line with the government’s commitment to bettering healthcare processes such as;

• Regulation of the healthcare sector
• Licensing services
• Electronic licensing service connectivity

The process of opening a clinic in Dubai

Getting a license is the initial stage of opening a clinic in Dubai. The location influences the cost. Familiarize yourself with the licensing process to avoid any errors. You can always find a service provider that understands how to open a clinic in Dubai better.

 

 

1. a. Trade Name Reservation

This is the first step in your journey to set up a clinic in Dubai. Log on to the Department of Economic Development (DED) website to apply for a trade form. Fill in the form, then submit it

1. b. Initial Approval

After the trade name application, you’ll need initial approval from the DED. You’ll need to submit an application to the DED for this process. The application should include the following.

• A copy of the applicant’s passport
• Clinic’s architectural drawings

The architectural drawings need sanctioning from the Dubai Municipality, which will require a different approval process. It would help if you kept up with the Dubai visa stipulations. The requirements change from time to time, so it’s best to have the latest information.

Once you get the initial approval, you have up to 3 months to fulfill requirements by other authorities. The Dubai Health Authority considers the initial approval valid for six months for;

• General clinics
• Specialized clinics
• Polyclinic/pharmacies
• Optic centers
• Rehabilitation centers
• Physiotherapy centers

Hospitals and surgery centers get one-year initial approval letter validity.

1. c. Dubai Health Authority Approval

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) ensures quality healthcare by providing standards in public and private hospitals and clinics in Dubai. The DHA approval process takes two months but may extend to one year. The process is online, and you can apply by creating a user ID on the DHA portal. DHA will examine documents for verification and compliance.

 

• Approved trade name reservation document
• Plan Approvals
• Official site plan from the Dubai Municipality
• DHA agreement, signed by the owner
• A copy of applicant’s and partners’ passport, visa, and Emirates ID
• Memorandum of Association

They will also conduct a medical fitness procedure if the applicant’s age exceeds 65 years.

1. d. Final Approval by DED

For the final DED approval, you will need to submit the following.

• A copy of the initial approval
• Owner’s NOC
• Building Agreement
• Essential information on the Medical Director (MD) and other health professionals

After the final approval, you will receive a business license from the DHA. This is after a critical examination of your clinic’s documents, clearances, and information on your healthcare personnel.

Other Requirements

You need a medical degree or a director with an applicable profession and qualification to apply for clinic approval. The certification procedure in the UAE will subject your international degree and other certifications to an attestation process.

This process will also include all other medical personnel in your practice. You can appoint a medical director if you still need to get a medical degree or certification. Additionally, proficiency in the English language in written and verbal form is a must for all.

It would help if you liaised with multiple government agencies to get your clinical approval from the procedure breakdown. The process can be confusing. Thus, it would help if you were extra careful. You can experience frustrating delays, in case of any discrepancies. Ensure all information is error-free and submit all required documents.

How can Hexagon advisory help?

Understanding the ropes of how to open a clinic in Dubai can be hassle-free with a service provider. Understanding the laws in Dubai will ease your license application process. This is where Hexagon Advisory comes to the rescue.

You can rely on them to set up your clinic in Dubai and avoid the hassle of acquiring a license. They will smoothen the application process by ensuring compliance with all the requirements.

You do not have to worry about the timely submission of documents. You also get a soft landing as they take care of other legalities and can help with strategy.

Contact Hexagon advisory today to launch your clinic in Dubai.

FAQs

Q1 How much does it cost to open a clinic in Dubai?

It costs approximately 45,000 AED to 50,000 AED to start a clinic in Dubai. To acquire the MOHRE and immigration registration Additional cost will be applied, depending on your investor’s requirements.

Q2 What are the authorities involved in setting up a clinic in Dubai?

When setting up a clinic in Dubai, you will interact with the following authorities.

• DED- Dubai Economic Department to get a trade name, professional license, and initial approval.
• DHA- Approval from Dubai Health Authority matters the most as it is the body handling all healthcare services in Dubai.
• Dubai Municipality- For the approval of your clinic’s building layouts.
• Dubai Civil Defense- This body ensures compliance with the safety standards such as fire safety.

Q3 What are some additional costs when opening a clinic in the UAE?

Apart from approval fees, some additional costs you need to consider while opening a clinic in the UAE are;

• The clinic’s annual rent
• Visa costs for all your clinic personnel
• Medical examination fees
• Dubai Municipality Fees; 5% of the yearly rent
• Operation expenditure

You will need sufficient financial reserves, as clinic premises have stringent regulations. This is regarding utility areas, equipment, finishing, size, and the like.

Q4 Where can I set up a Clinic in Dubai?

You can set up your clinic anywhere in Dubai, in areas zoned for commercial use. When choosing a location, you can consult with relevant authorities to make the best decision. You can seek advice from an advisory agent in Dubai to help you identify areas where your clinic would thrive. Moreover, it would be best if you considered your target market.