How to start a Ayurveda clinic in Dubai – Detailed Guide.

Healthcare Industry In Dubai

Dubai’s healthcare market will play a pivotal role in catapulting the Middle East and North Africa healthcare sector growth from US $144 billion in 2020 to $243 billion by 2023. UAE launched “Think AI” initiative to accelerate implementation of AI in all sectors including Healthcare. Dubai has been actively developing its healthcare industry, aiming to provide world-class medical services and facilities.

1. Healthcare Infrastructure:
   • Dubai has been investing significantly in building state-of-the-art medical facilities and infrastructure. Renowned hospitals and clinics operate in the city, offering a wide range of medical services.
2. Regulations and Standards:
   • The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) plays a crucial role in regulating the healthcare sector. It sets standards, implements policies, and ensures the quality and safety of healthcare services.
3. Public and Private Healthcare:
   • Dubai has both public and private healthcare facilities. Public hospitals are usually managed by the government, while private healthcare providers offer a variety of specialized services.
4. Medical Tourism:
   • Dubai has been actively promoting medical tourism, attracting patients from around the world. The city boasts world-class medical facilities, skilled healthcare professionals, and a range of wellness and rehabilitation services.
5. Health Insurance:
   • The government has implemented mandatory health insurance for residents, and this has led to an increased focus on preventive healthcare and early diagnosis.
6. Technological Advancements:
   • The healthcare sector in Dubai embraces technological advancements. Many hospitals use cutting-edge medical equipment and telemedicine services, enhancing patient care and accessibility.
7. Health and Wellness Initiatives:
   • Dubai places importance on health and wellness initiatives, encouraging a healthy lifestyle among residents. This includes awareness campaigns, fitness events, and other activities to promote well-being.
8. Research and Development:
   • Dubai has been investing in medical research and development, fostering innovation in healthcare. This commitment aims to advance medical knowledge and improve patient outcomes.

DHA Guidelines- Ayurveda Clinic

Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is responsible for regulating Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) practice in the Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Scope of Practice (SOP) refers to the activities that TCAM personnel are educated, authorized and competent to perform as well as their decision making capacity. Such activities are established through the legislated definition of licensed TCAM practice, complemented by standards, limits, conditions and education and influenced by setting, environment and health needs of the population, and the evolving situation in health care practice.

Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) practice include the following practice – in which SOP in outlines in this guidelines:

• Ayurveda
• Chiropractic Medicine
• Homeopathy
• Naturopathic Medicine
• Osteopathic Medicine
• Therapeutic Massage
• Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Unani Medicine

The Scope of Practice for the licensed TCAM practitioner is endorsed by Health Regulation Department (HRD) and should be read in conjunction with DHA Code of Conduct and Ethics. HRD upholds that no TCAM practitioner should be directed or compelled to undertake any practice that falls short of DHA standards or code of conduct requirements.

Ayurveda Scope of Practice

• “Ayurveda” is a system of primary health care that originated in India at least several thousand years ago for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human health conditions and disease; the promotion and/or restoration of health; and the support and stimulation of a patient’s inherent self-healing processes through patient education and the use of Ayurveda therapies and therapeutic substances.
• The central principal of Ayurvedic medicine is that health is present when the three fundamental doshas called Vata, Pitta and Kapha are in a balance. Vata is the air principle and is linked to the function of the nervous system Pitta is the fire principle and is linked to digestion, and metabolism via the venous system. Kapha is the water principle and is related to mucous, lubrication and the carrier of nutrients via the arterial system. Patients are commonly of a predominant dosha or constitution, but all doshas have the basic elements within them. Ayurvedic therapies include herbs, nutrition, panchakarma cleansing, massage, and therapeutic Yoga.
• The Practice of Ayurveda shall not include surgical procedures or use of prescription medications. The Practice of Ayurveda may include, activities that involve:
• Physical examination and request laboratory examinations consistent with Ayurveda education and training, for diagnostic purposes, including, but not limited to, clinical laboratory tests, and physiological functional testing.
• Request diagnostic imaging studies consistent with their Ayurveda training.
• A Licensed Ayurveda Professional may administer, order, and prescribe or perform the following:
• Therapeutic yoga exercises, pranayama exercises, and meditation.
• Dietary and nutritional counselling and education regarding physical, emotional and spiritual balance as it relates or Ayurveda.
• The prescription of Ayurvedic herbal medicines (single or in combination as tinctures, granules or raw herbs) as long as it is consistent with TCAM facility guidelines.
• Musculoskeletal manipulation and massage consistent with Ayurveda training.
• The Practice of Ayurveda does not include assistance rendered in emergency situations by the Licensee.

General Requirements for all licensed Ayurveda  Professionals

• Patient safety and Evidence-Based Care in the Practice of Ayurveda shall be ensured by the licensed professional rendering the services.
• Licensed Ayurveda Professionals shall not be permitted to expand the scope of their Professional Practice where they do not have the requisite training or experience to pursue such therapeutic approaches.
• A Licensee who holds a Ayurveda License must adhere to the following principles and comply with the following obligations in their practice of Ayurveda:
• The Licensee shall have general competence in patient oriented skills, integrating examination and diagnosis with sensitivity to patient needs and culture. They must be knowledgeable in the basic scientific approach to common illnesses and the serious or life threatening common diseases and refer when appropriate.
• The decision to employ Ayurveda and its effectiveness in a given case are governed by knowledge of the individual patient in accordance with Ayurveda principles, and with careful observance of the following specific procedures:
• Individualization of the medical history and physical examination of the patient must be obtained.
• Employment of diagnostic procedures, supported by laboratory studies, when appropriate as outlined above.
• Evaluation of the sensitivity of patient to medical treatment and the probable reaction and response of the patient to administration of the treatment chosen.
• The Licensed Ayurveda Professionals is obligated to refer to a general medical physician or specialists when there is any doubt about the patient’s diagnosis or response to therapy. A referral must not be withheld or discouraged when the patient asks for a second opinion.
• The Licensed Ayurveda Professionals bears the responsibility of maintaining a comprehensive record about their patient, including pursuit of diagnostic tests and consultations in a timely fashion and collaborating with other medical professionals.
• In addition to satisfying the above requirements a Licensed Ayurveda Professionals:
• Must fulfil the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) requirements for licensure, the standards of Professional Practice and behavior expected of all Licensees.
• May administer care in the office or the patient’s home.

Licensing process and required documents

1. Reserve a Trade Name

The very first step to open an Ayurveda medical clinic in Dubai is to get a trade name registered under Dubai Economy and Tourism (DED). Application must be submitted to DED to get the registered trade name.

2. Obtain Initial Approval

After obtaining the trade name from the DED, we will have to file one more application with the same department so that we could get initial approval and security approval from the concerned department.

3. Get Approval from Dubai Municipality

Moreover, we will have to submit all the needed documentation along with a passport photocopy, in addition for the layout plan approval from the Dubai Municipality.

4. Get Approval from DHA

This step involves getting approval from the DHA since the authority is the major controlling body handling all the healthcare services in Dubai and their approval matters the most among all. However, we will have to provide some needed documents for the initial approval, which are mentioned below:

• Passport Copy
• Emirates ID
• Trade Name Certificate
• Initial Approval Certificate
• Affection plan
• The layout or Floor Plan
• DHA undertaking and Proposal Letter

5. Get the Documents Legal Attestation and submission.

We will have to submit all the approved documents including lease agreement, Memorandum of Association (MOA) Attestation, and so on…

6. Get the Final Approval

We need to submit all the needed documents, the registration fee, and a photocopy of the initial approval along with:

• Lease Agreement
• Final Trade License
• No Objection Certificate
• List of the healthcare professionals and directors
• Attested Degree Certificate from MOFA

7. Get a DHA approved medical License.

The very last step is to create an account in the DHA official portal to get the DHA license. The candidate is required to submit all the detailed documentation of the medical professionals as well as consultants that are supposed to work in the clinic. After the verification of the documents by the DHA, you will be provided with a license that you can officially start an Ayurveda Clinic in Dubai.

**For the entire process it takes approximately 30 to 45 days.

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