ABU DHABI // Debate begins at the Federal National Council on Tuesday on a proposed new law governing medical practice and patients’ rights.
“With the developments in the UAE, there is a need for a new law to ensure hospitals and clinics abide by international standards,” said Salem Al Ameri (Abu Dhabi), head of the council’s health committee.
Under the new law, doctors will be required to disclose all relevant information to patients and provide them with full details of their treatment, potential side effects and how much it costs.
“There are a lot of rights for patients under the new law,” Mr Al Ameri said.
“I believe the right to know the cost of treatment will prove popular.” Hospitals and clinics will also be required to respond to any patient complaints within 15 days.
They will need to follow international standards when transporting medical equipment and disposing of medical waste, and will no longer be able to employ unlicensed medical staff.
The bill also covers sterilising medical equipment and malpractice insurance for doctors.
The last federal law on medical practice dates from 2007. Its proposed replacement will apply to all private healthcare facilities, hospitals and clinics.
The FNC will discuss the proposed new law on Tuesday with the Minister of Health, Abdulrahman Al Owais, who will also be questioned on other health issues.
Ali Al Nuaimi (Ajman) will ask Dr Al Owais about the ministry’s procedures for issuing expatriates with certificates of freedom from disease. He said procedures differed between emirates and there was a need for a unified system.
“We want the best procedures to be followed here and for an easier system for people to apply and obtain these certificates,” he said. He will also call for expatriate workers to have health checks in their home countries before coming to the UAE.
Mr Al Nuaimi will also ask the minister for an update on a national nutrition strategy that the ministry announced three years ago. As far as he knew, he said, nothing had been done to promote healthier living to combat the rise in diabetes and obesity.
Dr Mona Al Bahar (Dubai), a social worker, will ask the minister about plans to refurbish and develop private hospitals specialising in mental health.
Marwan bin Ghalita (Dubai) will ask the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Mohammed Al Gergawi, about developing a federal record of property owners. Hamad Al Rahoomi (Dubai) will ask Dr Rashid bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, about new categories for fishermen that force them to choose between two techniques, either net or traditional fishing cage.
The public session will begin at 9am at the FNC headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
osalem@thenational.ae
