Abu Dhabi is considered to have one of the best healthcare systems in the world. As a result, many healthcare professionals around the globe want to be part of it. However, those professionals who are planning to run a medical practice in Abu Dhabi must first acquire a HAAD Medical License, which enables them to do their job.
In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about HAAD medical licenses in Abu Dhabi and how to get it. New medical centers and hospitals are being built in areas that most need them. Therefore, there are plenty of job opportunities for individuals looking for job opportunities in this emirate. Let us see:
1. What is the HAAD License?
The HAAD License is a document that offers licensure for medical professionals like doctors, nurses, and pharmacists to work in the UAE. Therefore, they have to obtain a license from the appropriate government body, which is the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD). In addition, they will categorize the applicants in a particular profession and ask them to take the HAAD Exam. It is valid for 5 years from the date of passing the exam.
Law 13 founded the Abu Dhabi Health Authority in June 2007 intending to create a strategic health authority for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to set policies and strategies for health and to assure their application of them.
2. What are some of the requirements for a HAAD License?
Firstly, the first requirement from the Health Authority- of Abu Dhabi is that you must legally translate all of your documents into English. Next, we will see a list of some of the required documents. Let us see:
- Valid copy of passport
- Experience certificates
- Educational qualifications
- Valid Health Professional license (issued by relevant authority)
- Good Standing certificate (issued by relevant regulatory authorities)
- Nomination letter (applicants sponsored by facilities)
- Form of staff data clearance
There are more required documents to apply, but do not worry; we can give you the full list and advise you during the entire application process in case you need our assistance.
However, it is important to stand out that it is unable to deliver HAAD license requirements in the following countries: Canada, France, Greece, Ireland, and South Africa. You can also check our post about getting the DED license in the UAE.
3. Things you need to know before getting the HAAD License
Some health care professionals are exempt from taking the HAAD exam. In addition, those who are over the age of 60 are required to take annual Medical Fitness Examinations from SEHA facilities.
If the person is acquiring the HAAD for the first time must pay exam and license fees. Nevertheless, in the case of exams fees, these can vary depending on the type of exams applied for while the licensing fees differ according to the field of specialization. Here can see a list of HAAD license fees according to different medical practices:
- Pharmacist Tech license fees (AED 150)
- Nurse license fees (AED 300)
- Physicians license fees (AED 2,600)
- Pharmacist license fees (AED 300)
On the other hand, those who successfully acquired their HAAD medical license have to renew it after 5 years, starting from the time of passing the exam. However, before renewing it applicants may have to send documents or pass certain exams. As a result, the sponsoring healthcare facilities may request healthcare professionals to apply for license renewals.
Within the renewal process, there are certain documents applicants must provide:
- Valid passport
- Constant medical education
- Malpractice insurance
- Family Book
- UAE identification card
Regarding the fees, license renewals also require the following charges:
3.1 Pharmacy Technicians
- Fee for One-year renewal (AED 100)
- Fee for Two-year renewal (AED 100)
- Penalties per month (AED 37)
3.2 Pharmacists
- Fee for One-year renewal (AED 200)
- Fee for Two-year renewal (AED 300)
- Penalties per month (AED 50)
3.3 Nursing
- Fee for One-year renewal (AED 200)
- Fee for Two-year renewal (AED 300)
- Penalties per month (AED 50)
3.4 Technicians
- Fee for One-year renewal (AED 200)
- Fee for Two-year renewal (AED 300)
- Penalties per month (AED 50)
3.5 Physicians
- Fee for One-year renewal (AED 850)
- Fee for Two-year renewal (AED 1,600)
- Penalties per month (AED 625)
It is crucial to highlight that those who do not renew their licenses within 6 months of their expiry dates will suffer cancellation by the law. In addition, applicants who do not renew their licenses before the scheduled expiration will incur penalties.
That was the short explanation of the HAAD medical license and its renewal in Abu Dhabi. Below, we will take a look at the health care system in Abu Dhabi
4. Why should you acquire a HAAD Medical License?
As a matter of fact, there is a great demand for healthcare professionals in Abu Dhabi. This is due to the fact that the UAE has over 40 public hospitals. As a result, the Ministry of Health is expanding health facilities and hospitals in all the emirates, especially in Abu Dhabi.
Consequently, it is the reason why there is a high demand for GP jobs that need filling. Thus, having this professional license will provide many advantages and privileges to physicians such as:
4.1 Ensure quality assurance
It provides quality assurance in the healthcare field and helps to ensure that the standards of quality in the medical community are consistently met for the sake of patients.
4.2 Prevent losing revenues
It can contribute to preventing medical practices from losing thousands of dollars in lost revenue from delayed or denied reimbursements. If a medical practice allows a physician to deliver services during the credentialing process, the insurance payer may be able to backdate the reimbursement to cover the treatments.
4.3 Keep patient safety
This ensures practices and physicians have the experience and skills necessary to perform procedures on patients. In addition, it contributes to reducing the risk of medical errors caused by incompetent providers.
4.4 Improves physician reputation
Nowadays, patients are researching healthcare practices and their physicians before committing to them. When patients search for a physician’s medical practice, they want to make sure their practices are reputable and they can trust them.
5. How is the healthcare system in Abu Dhabi?
The UAE is comprised of a national health service, which is overseen by the Ministry of Health and Prevention. However, Abu Dhabi has its own health authority, which is as we already know, the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD).
Most hospitals are private, offering a range of inpatient care (where hospital admission provides treatment) and outpatient (where treatment is administered without requiring hospital admission) clinics. In addition, there are many available pharmacies in Abu Dhabi.
The health care system complies with international standards thanks to modern medical technology. Therefore, there are many ex-pats working in the health sector.
5.2 Before traveling to the UAE
Before you make the decision to travel to Abu Dhabi, you need to undergo a full medical examination and have any necessary vaccinations before flying to the United Arab Emirates. A medical certificate may be required depending on the country you are flying from. You will need to vaccinate against hepatitis A and B, typhoid, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, and rabies.
Also, it is crucial that you undergo a medical examination once you are in the United Arab Emirates as part of your application. Your spouse and dependents joining you are also required to follow the same procedures. Anyone who tests positive for HIV, hepatitis B, or tuberculosis will be denied a visa.
6. What are some of the health care strategies, policies, and laws in the UAE?
The United Arab Emirates laws guarantee the best and the most professional healthcare services while ensuring rights to patients. Many sectors such as medical care medication, medical facilities, and others have been developed to complement the law, offering a holistic approach to healthcare services in the UAE.
Currently, the government is working in collaboration with all health authorities in the country to have all public and private hospitals. This way, it is accredited according to clear national and international quality standards of medical services and staff.
In addition, they emphasize the importance of preventive medicine and seek to reduce cancer and lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases to ensure a longer, healthy life for citizens. Moreover, the government wants aims to reduce the prevalence of smoking and increase the healthcare system’s readiness to deal with epidemics and health risks.
In order to achieve all these goals, the United Arab Emirate government is improving its ranking in 11 indices relating to healthcare and protection. To sum up, it is a rapidly developing private health sector that delivers a high standard of health care to the population.
7. Advantages of working in the healthcare field in Abu Dhabi
The opportunities to work as a professional in Abu Dhabi are considerable and it is a prestigious place to practice as a medical professional. One of the most attractive advantages is the salary and benefits. However, this one will depend on your specialty and how many years of experience you have. It can vary from 25k AED a month up to 400k AED.
Additionally, your income is tax-free in the UAE, which is why it is attractive to ex-pats. Also, numerous healthcare positions include benefits such as paid annual leave for up to 40 days for full-time staff, health insurance, and travel expenses.
In case you are looking for a new job in this field, we can help you on your way to your dream job.
8. How can we help you get more information about the HAAD Medical License?
Connect Middle East is your best option when it comes to finding the best business opportunities in the Middle East. We are the UAE’s leaders when it comes to business setup consultancy services, as well as visa procedures and much more.
In case you want to obtain a HAAD Medical License in Abu Dhabi, we will help you and advise you during your application process. With our 20 years of experience in the market, we can guarantee you rapid and easy procedures to achieve your goals and dreams in Abu Dhabi. Do not hesitate to contact us!
Would you like to contact Connect Middle East to learn more about our licensing services? You can call us at our phone number +971 43 316 688. If you would rather use e-mail, you can contact us at contact@c-uae.com.
