Hospitals in Dubai may be forced to pay for unnecessary treatments

A growing number of complaints have been raised against hospitals conducting unwarranted procedures

A medical committee will decide whether hospitals have to pay for treatment deemed unnecesary. . Getty

Hospitals and clinics in Dubai have been warned they could be made to foot the bill for unnecessary treatments, amid a 'growing number' of complaints from patients and insurers.

Dubai Health Authority - the emirate's healthcare regulator - has issued a notice informing medical facilities they will be made to 'bear the cost' of unjustified tests and treatments and hospital stays which are prolonged excessively.

In the circular, the authority also acknowledged concerns raised by healthcare providers over insurers not settling payments.

"There has been an increasing number of member/payer complaints against providers for extended and unnecessary inpatient admissions, as well as medical treatments (which include laboratory, diagnostic and any other in or outpatient services)," stated the circular.

The DHA announced that a medical committee will be set up to deal with disputes over unneeded treatments.

The committee will have the power to increase or reduce the amount a patient has to pay for care received.

"The health authority has decided that a medical committee will review such complaints and if the hospital or clinic is found at fault they may have to bear part of the cost or the entire cost of the excessive treatment or admission," the circular stated.

"The decision may also lead to an increase or decrease in the amount the patient has to pay."

Earlier this month, The National reported that day surgeries will now face tighter regulations, after two claims of negligence were filed in Dubai.

A surgical procedure carried out on an Emirati woman resulted in her going into a coma. In another case, an investigation is ongoing into the death of an Indian woman during a hip replacement surgery at a hospital in Dubai.