If you are exploring medical clinic setup in Dubai, or wondering how the process goes to open one, this blog will guide you through and provide everything you need to know, starting from licensing, location selection, and reaching operational requirements. Dubai has expeditiously become one of the world’s most attractive hubs for new and growing businesses. With its thriving medical tourism sector—valued at over four billion USD—along with advanced infrastructure and strong government support; the healthcare industry is evolving at a remarkable pace. As a result, the need for new medical clinics continues to rise.

Benefits of Opening a medical clinic in Dubai

The Executive Council Resolution No.49 of 2024 defines a Healthcare Facility as “An establishment licensed by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to conduct Health Activities in the Emirate and to provide individuals with preventive, therapeutic, and convalescent Healthcare services.” A medical clinic is focused on outpatient services. Being an outpatient means that you can go home after you receive care.

Establishing a medical clinic in Dubai holds numerous advantages, such as the access to an expeditiously expanding healthcare market, with a strong demand from both residents and international medical tourists, in addition to the fact that government initiatives are often taken to actively support healthcare investment. All of the latter is backed by highly developed infrastructures and esteemed regulatory systems.

Understanding Clinical Setup

Clinic setup refers to the streamlined process of establishing a fully compliant healthcare facility. It starts with ensuring the regulatory entities’ requirements are met, followed by choosing a suitable location, carefully designing the clinic layout, procuring medical equipment, hiring qualified and licensed staff, and finally completing the inspection process, successfully.

Some steps are similar, but requirements may vary slightly depending on whether you are opening a medical, dental, or specialty clinic. Proper setup is essential to maintain compliance, protect patient safety, and support long-term operational success.

After determining the type of clinic you wish to open and selecting your legal structure (mainland or free zone), the steps generally include strict regulations emphasizing safety, quality, and professionalism, since healthcare services in Dubai are enforced to abide to such regulations.

The main licensing health authorities are:

• Dubai Health Authority (DHA) – for clinics in Dubai.
• Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) – for clinics outside DHA jurisdictions.

How to Open a Clinic in Dubai: Step by Step Guide

To properly open a clinic in Dubai, clinic type and services should be specified first, then the legal structure should be chosen, whether you wish to have it established on the mainland or in the freezone, procedures differ. The legal process then goes as follows:

• Submit the initial approval application through the Sheryan portal, DHA’s website. This application involves providing the initial approval certificate, identification documents for owners and partners, address proof, proposal letter, in addition to other requirements listed.
• Choose a suitable clinic location that meets healthcare standards.
• Apply for new facility license, this process often takes five working days to be processed.
• Hire DHA licensed medical professionals, where at least one licensed individual (doctor/nurse) is needed for the license to be activated, this step is often processed within one business day if all requirements are properly met.
• Schedule and pass the final inspection, “After a successful final inspection and fulfilling mandated requirements mentioned in the Law No. 4 for 2015 concerning private facilities, the license of all Health Professionals shall be automatically activated.”
• Once you obtain your medical clinic license, you may then perform healthcare operations.

Primary Considerations

 Your clinic space should be aligned with DHA/MOHAP standards, providing easy access for patients, and should be in order with the clinic’s specialty.

Location and Facility Considerations

If you need help finding a strategic location, Lex Estates can assist you with properties tailored to your business needs.

Safety and hygiene standards

Every medical clinic in Dubai must meet strict safety, hygiene, and infection-control requirements as per the DHA regulations. Such requirements include having sterilization or decontamination zones, implementing waste management protocols, proper handling of medical equipment, and ensuring patient privacy while maintaining safety standards.

Compliance to these imposed regulations is verified during inspections and such compliance is to be maintained throughout all medical operations. After clinical set up, inspections are held randomly and unexpectedly, and all clinics should be well-prepared.

Staffing and HR Requirements

Clinics ought to hire DHA licensed healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, technicians, and administrative staff. HR practices should comply with UAE labor laws.

Cost and Investment Overview

The cost of medical clinic setup in Dubai depends on various factors, such as the type of clinic, location, the size and interior design, number of staff, and licensing and approval fees.

Each clinic has a set amount of approval fees depending on the type of service it will provide, the wider the scope, the more financial requirements are to be imposed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Clinic Setup in Dubai

• Hiring unlicensed staff, “Unavailability of licensed professional staff at a HF will result in temporary closure of the facility by DHA. However, temporary closure of a facility does not prevent licence renewal.” From the Manual of Licensing Health Facility of 2024.
• Having an inactive license, “If the facility license becomes inactive, all professional license status under the respective HF (Health Facility) will be changed to inactive status.” From the same reference above.

Conclusion

In conclusion, opening a clinic in Dubai offers significant potential for growth, but just as it is rewarding, it is also demanding, a clinic set up requires careful planning, regulatory compliance, and strong operational execution. By following the correct procedures and focusing on each requirement, you can ensure a smooth setup and successful launch of your medical facility. Contact us if you are planning to open a medical clinic in Dubai and need assistance with licensing and compliance.

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