How to Set Up a Medical Clinic in Dubai?
UAE is known for its world class healthcare facilities. Especially in Dubai, healthcare is considered as one of the most promising sectors for investment. As a result, foreign investors from across the globe are showing keen interest in investing in both private and public healthcare centres. From starting small medical clinics to top healthcare specialty centres, there is a huge opportunity out there for business growth. So it’s important to have a deep understanding of setting up a medical clinic in Dubai. Whatever be your specialty or area of medicine you’d like to focus your efforts on, you can build a successful medical clinic in Dubai if you follow all the right steps.
The Centre for Healthcare Planning and Quality (CPQ) is an independent regulatory body which is responsible for all the licensing of professionals and medical centres in the region and maintains the best practices in healthcare services delivery in Dubai Healthcare City.
Medical clinic license in Dubai
One must possess a medical degree or employ a director with the appropriate qualifications in order to start a private clinic in Dubai. The entire workforce at all levels must also be fully certified in the UAE. Apart from that, the international diplomas are not sufficient. Doctors or nurses are required to get certification in the UAE, with the possible need to pass local exams. Also the certified medical personnel must know English language.
Medical clinic approval in Dubai
Dubai government provides its residents with the best medical facilities and healthcare service. For providing quality healthcare services in the country, the Dubai government started the Dubai Health Authority that contributes to healthcare and also manages Medical clinic approvals for healthcare centres under the standards of DHA approval.
Medical professionals in Dubai need to acquire their license through Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Doctors in Dubai must obtain specific licenses from DHA depending on nature of their professions. They can be interns, general practitioners, specialists, consultants or resident doctors. Even the alternative medical practitioners such as Ayurveda, homeopathy, Traditional Chinese medicine, Unani etc. must obtain the license from DHA.
Steps to Set Up a Medical Clinic in Dubai
To set up a medical clinic in Dubai, your provider needs to have completed a relevant degree for medicine. In addition, you will be required to have your provider’s medical degree and/or other relevant qualifications certified and approved by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Here are the main steps for medical clinic setup in Dubai.
- Reserve a Trade Name
- Acquire Initial Approval
- Get Approval from DHA
- Original Passport and Visa Copies
- Original Emirates ID
- Copy of the Trade Name issued by the Authority
- Affection Plan and Business Layout/Floor Plan
- DHA Undertaking Letter, along with the Proposal Letter
- Submit Your Documents
- Get Your Final Approval
- A valid building location
- Final Trade License
- No Objection Certificate (NOC)
- List of the Healthcare Professionals and Directors
- Get Your License
One of the first and most important steps for setting up a medical clinic in Dubai is to have your trade name registered in order to obtain your license. The investor is required to complete an online application and then submit it to the Department of Economic Development (DED) for trade name approval and registration.
After registering your trade name with the DED, you’ll need to file another application with the same department to get initial approval from them. All the documents need to be submitted including a valid passport copy. The business plan for your medical clinic setup must also acquire approval from the Dubai Municipality.
The next step involves obtaining approvals from the DHA. DHA is responsible for managing all approvals for healthcare services in Dubai. There will be some particular documentation required for this approval, which can include:
The investor/entrepreneur will also be required to submit documents, including the Lease Agreement, Memorandum of Association (MOA), and other relevant documents to the concerned authorities.
The next step is to submit all required documents, the registration fee, and a photocopy of the initial approval notification, along with:
Once you’ve completed all of the above steps, the final step is to create your own account in the official DHA portal to get your approved DHA license. You need to submit all relevant, detailed documentation for your medical professionals, as well as for any consultants who will be working in your clinic. Once these documents have been cleared by the DHA, you’ll be provided with your own license for opening your Medical Clinic in Dubai.
Documents required for setting up a medical clinic in Dubai
A valid medical certification from international agencies or the DHA. If you do not have a medical degree and certification, then you have to appoint a medical director for your business.
Passport copies of all participating members, including business partners, local sponsor (also known as UAE national / Emirati partner / local agent) and the medical director.
Tourist visa/entry stamp page of all the participating members. Conversely, you can submit the residence visa page along with a copy of Emirates ID.
MoA signed by all the expat partners and the local sponsor.
Trade name along with the nature of your business activity. You can establish your private clinic in the fields of urology, dentistry, cosmology and gynaecology.
A professional license issued by DED.
Approval of all licenses obtained from DHA. The licenses differ for resident doctors, student interns, trainees, specialists and general practitioners.
Bizvise is here to assist you in the entire process of starting a new medical clinic in Dubai!