News & Updates

Health Department announces new primary care family medicine model

The Department of Health in Abu Dhabi, DoH, has announced new standards for primary healthcare providers that come into effect starting from 1 January 2018, in a bid to improve patients’ access to quality family healthcare and encourage ongoing relationships with their family physician.
As per the new standard, DoH will no longer issue new licenses for general health care clinics in Abu Dhabi as of 1 January 2018, with the exception of those located in construction sites, hotels, schools, sports and social clubs, and companies.
Mohammed Hamad Al Hameli, Acting Under-Secretary at DoH, said, “Our newly adopted Primary Care Standard is very patient-centric; it’s based on our commitment to continuously improve patient care, safety and satisfaction. It will enhance our community healthcare offering from several points of view: disease prevention, health maintenance, patient counselling, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic diseases. By implementing this family medicine model of care, we are ensuring that residents receive the highest quality of care, which in turn, allows us strengthen our goal of fostering a healthier Abu Dhabi.”
All licensed, specialized and medical healthcare facilities aiming to practice Family Medicine must first submit a ‘Change in Type’ application, subject to meeting the DoH’s Primary Care Standard. Through this application, the facility’s type will officially be changed to Primary Healthcare Centre.
Similarly, hospitals in Abu Dhabi wishing to provide Primary Healthcare services must initially meet the DoH’s Primary Care standard, and submit a request to include this service on their Clinical Support Services List in the Health Facility Licenses system at the DoH.