UAE: Dh15,000 fine for residents? Health authority clarifies ‘inaccurate’ report about ambulance services

UAE: Dh15,000 fine for residents? Health authority clarifies ‘inaccurate’ report about ambulance services

DoH clears the air on an inaccurate circular reported by a local newspaper about hospital services

Published: Wed 1 Feb 2023, 10:08 PM Last updated: Wed 1 Feb 2023, 10:14 PM

The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH) on Wednesday clarified an inaccurate report circulated by a local newspaper that incorrectly referenced a circular issued to hospitals in the emirate. The notice related to the need to adhere to procedures related to ambulance services for non-emergency cases.

Taking to Twitter, the health department said that the Dh15,000 fine mentioned in the circular does not apply to residents or community members. The penalty mentioned in the circular will be levied on hospitals in Abu Dhabi if they do not adhere to the specified measures.

Hospitals should have the provision of appropriate and licensed ambulances to transport all patients whose health condition requires transferring by an ambulance from their homes to the hospital, as well as moving patients from the hospital to their homes according to the patient’s health status.

The measures also include the transfer of patients between hospitals according to their health condition, as the cost of transporting patients is covered within the health insurance regulations in force in the emirate.

The department said it