UAE’s Medical Liability Law protects all stakeholders
Legislation demonstrates government’s intent to bring accountability to health care industry
The UAE’s new Medical Liability Law, first reported by Gulf on September 17 and announced by the Ministry of Health and Prevention on Sunday, protects the rights of both patients and health care providers in the country. Drawn up after a comparative analysis of the medical liabilities and patient safety laws of the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands, Australia and Canada, the comprehensive law has 43 articles, clearly defining ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ for doctors and institutions.
In principle, the new law bans human cloning, abortion, sex change and euthanasia. It also spells out punishment and fines — with jail sentences ranging from two to 10 years and compensation from Dh10,000 to Dh1 million. But the most important provisions of the law are about the setting up of a Supreme Medical Liabilities Committee and a mandatory medical liability insurance for health care establishments, two steps that will add muscle to this legislation.
The UAE has always taken a lead in the region by formulating a robust legislative framework for the health care sector. For example, on September 14, Gulf News reported a new organ transplant law which will come into effect in March. This law prohibits the sale of human organs and tissues or other body parts in any way for the purpose of transplantation and bars unlicensed advertising of transplantation of human organs, tissues and body parts. It also prohibits funding for transplantation of human organs, tissue and body parts if these organs are sold. Similarly, the ministry this month announced new rules for reporting and treatment of communicable diseases. This legislation demonstrates the intent of the government on two fronts — to bring accountability to the industry and to protect the rights of all stakeholders. Also, the industry as a whole will benefit from the new laws as the UAE strives to promote medical tourism. For example, Dubai has projected a 13 per cent growth in medical tourism for the next five years.