The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) has ordered the closure of five healthcare facilities after inspections uncovered serious breaches of healthcare licensing and regulatory requirements.
According to the authority, the facilities have also had their staff suspended, with the matter referred to the Public Prosecution for further legal action. The closures and licence suspensions will remain in place pending the completion of legal and disciplinary proceedings.
Violations Uncovered During Investigation
The enforcement action follows routine inspection and monitoring campaigns carried out by the health regulator.
Investigations reportedly found that the facilities had issued sick leave certificates without conducting actual medical examinations and, in some instances, without patients being physically present.
The authority further stated that such certificates were allegedly issued in exchange for financial payments, raising serious legal and compliance concerns.
Additional violations identified include:
- manipulation of medical records
- employment of unlicensed medical practitioners
- breaches of approved licensing conditions
These findings indicate potential violations of Abu Dhabi’s healthcare licensing laws and professional practice regulations.
Legal and Regulatory Implications
The referral of the matter to the Public Prosecution signals that the case may proceed beyond administrative sanctions and could involve potential criminal investigation into issues such as fraudulent documentation, unlawful medical practice, and related financial misconduct.
From a legal standpoint, the issuance of false sick leave certificates may also have wider implications in employment law, insurance claims, and workplace compliance matters, particularly where such documents are used for leave approvals or compensation claims.
The DoH stated that the suspension of licences and closure orders will remain effective until all legal and disciplinary procedures are completed.
Regulatory Enforcement Measures
The authority emphasised that it will continue to intensify inspection and oversight measures across the healthcare sector and will not tolerate practices that violate health regulations or compromise public trust in the healthcare system.
The action reflects the regulator’s broader enforcement approach toward ensuring strict compliance with licensing obligations, medical record integrity, and lawful clinical practices in Abu Dhabi.
