Setting up a home healthcare company in Dubai
The home healthcare sector in Dubai is experiencing remarkable growth, presenting promising opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors looking to establish their presence in this thriving industry. With an increasing demand for personalised and accessible healthcare services, the popularity and demand for home healthcare services have surged in recent years. According to statistics, the market for home healthcare services in the UAE is expected to reach a value of $2.6 billion by 2025, demonstrating its significant growth potential.
In today’s fast-paced world, individuals and families are seeking more convenient and patient-centric healthcare solutions. The aging population, along with an increased prevalence of chronic diseases, has created a demand for healthcare services that can be delivered in the comfort of one’s own home.
Dubai’s healthcare landscape is highly supportive of innovative healthcare models, making it an ideal environment to establish a home healthcare company. The emirate’s strategic vision to provide comprehensive healthcare services aligns with the growing importance of home-based care. The Dubai Health Strategy 2021, which focuses on enhancing the quality and accessibility of healthcare services, includes initiatives to strengthen home healthcare services, ensuring that patients receive quality care within their residences.
By capitalising on this growing market, healthcare providers can cater to the evolving needs of patients, deliver quality care at home, and contribute to the transformation of the healthcare landscape in Dubai.
How to obtain authorisation for a home healthcare business in Dubai?
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is the governing body responsible for regulating, licensing and monitoring all healthcare facilities in Dubai and allows the following types of facilities to be authorised for home healthcare services:
- Hospitals
- Polyclinics
- Speciality Clinics
- Rehabilitation Centres
What services can private healthcare facilities provide?
In general, home healthcare provision generally entails extended nursing care and providing services such as administering medications, monitoring vital signs, managing medical equipment and providing wound care. However, the scope of the service can be much broader and include other services such as psychiatry, physiotherapy, psychology, speech therapy and occupational therapy.
What is the process to obtain a home healthcare licence?
To provide home healthcare services in Dubai, a licenced facility must first obtain approval from the Health Regulation Department. The process is as follows:
- Submit application request to the Health Regulation Department (HRD).
- Once the application has been received, the HRD will visit and assess the facility to ensure that it complies with home health service requirements and is suitable for further processing.
- Once the initial review of the facility’s application has been completed, a pre-operational, final inspection will be conducted by the HRD in advance of issuance of the licence. The applicant must then meet the following criteria:
- Appoint a Medical Director
- Hire a minimum of 8 qualified and licensed healthcare professionals including registered and assistant nurses at a ratio 1:3
- Provide policies and procedures for the following:
- Criteria for referral for home healthcare services from a health facility
- Patient’s medication management
- Incident reporting procedure
- Discharge/transfer policy
- Dealing with the terminally ill and deceased
- Patient record management and retention
- Patient rights
- Hazardous waste management (if applicable)
- Infection control measures
- Emergency action plan
- Medical equipment maintenance
- Provide at least 12 square metres of space for the service including secure and limited access for patient health record access
- Provide suitable transportation for employees to provide service at residence
- Clearly display operational hours as well as after hours contact numbers
- Provide adequate means for staff to communicate with home healthcare facility management
After approval of the premises and subject to meeting the above requirements, the HRD will issue a DHA licence to practise which is valid for one year. If the application is rejected for any reason, the HRD will provide a detailed list of the issues for the applicant to correct after which a new application can be resubmitted.
How can Global Link help?
Global Link has over 16 years’ experience working with local and global businesses, providing bespoke consultancy services for company incorporation in Dubai and the wider UAE.
We can guide you through the process of incorporating your home healthcare business in Dubai, ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements, advising you on the appropriate legal structure for your business and helping with the necessary documentation, licences, permits, and registrations.
If you need advice on this or any other company incorporation, visa or PRO service, please get in touch with us on +971 4 553 9901 or email us at [email protected] and we will be happy to assist you.