• Home

Ignoring studies will cost doctors their licence

DUBAI — Health professionals working under the Dubai Health Authority will be required to complete a set number of educational hours before being re-licensed.

The new requirements have been implemented starting this year and follow the Ministry of Health’s similar educational initiative announced last month.

Professionals wishing to renew their licences after July 1, 2011, will be required to show proof of their educational development, according to a circular issued by the Health Regulation Department last month.

The aim of the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is to keep healthcare professionals in touch with current changes with medical sciences generally and in areas relevant to their own practice in particular, it says.

Generally, no less than 70 per cent of CPD points are required in the area of professional specialty and 30 per cent in the area of general professional development, according to the circular.

Doctors and dentists are required to complete 30 hours annually in lectures, conferences and even online education. Pharmacists are required to complete 20 hours, nurses 15, other professionals 10 hours and alternative medicine professionals are also required to complete 10 hours.

Applicants who submit falsified documents may be liable for prosecution, including automatic termination of the licensure procedure and revoking of licence if already issued in Dubai, warns the circular.

Employers and organisations have been asked to facilitate this procedure for the professionals.

“There is an urgent need for these professionals to develop their career and skills for the benefit of all UAE citizens and residents,” said Dr Amin Al Amiri, Executive Director for Medical Practices and Licences at the ministry while making similar announcements last month.

For pharmacists, the programme is part of the upcoming federal pharmacy law that will streamline all pharmaceutical activities in the country. Nearly 3,900 pharmacists and assistant pharmacists in the private sector will be required to undergo the training.

A number of event organisers accuse medical professionals of skirting CMEs and getting away with it while a number of doctors say that not enough relevant educational events are being organised by the ministry and health authorities.

“The ministry will soon begin organising educational and training programmes in cooperation with local health authorities, educational institutions and private pharmaceutical companies inside and outside the UAE,” clarified Dr Al Amiri. The annual performance reports, promotions, and bonuses will also be a condition for obtaining or renewing the licence. 
 — asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE