DOH, MOH and DHA: Understanding UAE Healthcare Regulatory Differences

DOH — Department of Health Abu Dhabi

The Department of Health (DOH) Abu Dhabi is the regulator for all healthcare services in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi — covering the city of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra Region. DOH licences healthcare facilities and individual healthcare professionals operating within Abu Dhabi.

For medical equipment, DOH requires: • All radiation-emitting equipment to hold a valid FANR Approval Certificate (FANR regulates radiation at the federal level; DOH accepts FANR approval for its own licensing purposes) • Annual PPM for all medical equipment, with documentary evidence available for DOH inspections • QC testing for imaging equipment with reports maintained on file • A biomedical engineering function — either in-house or contracted — responsible for equipment management • All equipment to be registered in the facility's asset register with service history • Equipment calibration records for diagnostic and therapeutic devices

DOH applies the Jawda (quality) standards framework, which includes specific requirements for medical equipment management aligned with international accreditation standards.

MOH — Ministry of Health and Prevention

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) is the federal health authority. It licences healthcare facilities in the Northern Emirates — Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah — as well as operating its own network of government healthcare facilities.

For medical equipment, MOH requires: • FANR Approval for all radiation-emitting devices (same as DOH — FANR is federal) • Annual biomedical equipment maintenance with service records • Medical device registration — imported medical devices must be registered with the UAE Ministry of Health's medical devices department before they can be used clinically • Equipment-specific standards for critical devices (ventilators, anaesthesia machines, infusion pumps) requiring periodic safety testing

MOH inspections in the Northern Emirates follow a set inspection protocol that includes equipment documentation review. Facilities without complete service records routinely receive improvement notices.

DHA — Dubai Health Authority

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) licences and regulates all healthcare services in the Emirate of Dubai. DHA has developed its own comprehensive healthcare quality standards — the Dubai Health Standards (DHS) — which are closely aligned with JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation criteria.

For medical equipment, DHA requires: • FANR Approval for radiation-emitting devices • A documented medical equipment management programme covering incoming inspection, inventory, planned maintenance, corrective maintenance, recalls and end-of-life • The Dubai Healthcare City Free Zone has additional requirements for facilities operating within DHCC • Annual equipment inspection reports suitable for DHA inspection • Post-maintenance functionality testing before equipment returns to clinical use • Medical device adverse event reporting to DHA when equipment malfunction contributes to patient harm

Where All Three Agree — FANR

Regardless of which emirate a healthcare facility is in, and regardless of whether it is regulated by DOH, MOH or DHA, ALL facilities operating ionising radiation equipment in the UAE are subject to FANR's federal jurisdiction. FANR approval is not a DOH, MOH or DHA requirement — it is a UAE federal law requirement that applies uniformly across all seven emirates. DOH, MOH and DHA all verify FANR compliance as part of their own licensing processes, but FANR itself manages and enforces radiation safety compliance independently.

Practical Implications for Facility Managers

The practical implication of this regulatory landscape is that a healthcare facility in the UAE faces a multi-layered compliance environment:

Abu Dhabi facility: Must comply with FANR (radiation) + DOH (healthcare licensing) + potentially HAAD standards (if legacy accreditation) Dubai facility: Must comply with FANR (radiation) + DHA (healthcare licensing) + potentially DHCC (if within free zone) Sharjah/Northern Emirates: Must comply with FANR (radiation) + MOH (healthcare licensing)

RevirzaMed provides compliance support across all three regulatory frameworks, ensuring facilities in any UAE emirate have the documentation, service records and regulatory submissions they need for successful inspections.