UAE health minister says no to faith-healing clinics in hospitals

Dr Abdul Rahman Al Owais agreed there was a need for faith healers, but said the ministry would not introduce them to state hospitals.

The Minister of Health, Dr Abdul Rahman Al Owais, says the his ministry will not introduce faith-healing clinics in hospitals but will deal with science-based care instead. Sammy Dallal / The National)Show less

ABU DHABI // Faith-healing clinics will not be introduced to hospitals, the Minister of Health yesterday told the FNC.

Dr Abdul Rahman Al Owais agreed there was a need for faith healers, as they are referred to in the Quran and Sharia science, but said the ministry would not introduce them to state hospitals.

Dr Al Owais said the ministry was focused on developing health care and providing all nationals with the highest quality of service.

But Hamad Al Rahoomi (Dubai) said faith healing and medicine were compatible.

“There are a lot of long-term cases in hospitals,” Mr Al Rahoomi said. “They would then be given the psychological support from faith healers. We ask that the minister allows for such clinics, or people, from the Islamic Authority or the Ministry of Health to provide faith support services.”

He said the main reason for his request, and a previous request to the Islamic Authority to remove a ban on imams practising faith healing, was to stop an emerging market for sorcerers and charlatans.

“I would like to clarify this would not replace medicine but be complementary,” Mr Al Rahoomi said.

He presented the council with media reports of sorcerers entering or practising in the UAE.

"We are talking about a lot of cases," Mr Al Rahoomi said.
He said formalising the system was necessary to ensure faith healing was organised and would not be abused.

“People reach a point where they cannot turn to anyone except God,” he said. “Doctors treat but God cures.”

Dr Al Owais remained firm. He said faith healing was not related to the Ministry of Health’s work, adding that all healthcare services should be scientifically based.

The ministry follows the best standards and modern treatment, he said.

“Faith healing is a personal choice. We cannot push this on people,” Dr Al Owais said.

“Our work is scientific-based, not spiritual.”

Mr Al Rahoomi then asked what sort of requirements would be necessary to license qualified faith healers.

He also asked if the ministry would be willing to work with the Islamic Authority on the issue.

“I see no contradiction with health but just psychological help for a patient.”

The minister reminded Mr Al Rahoomi that the UAE health sector had to abide by international laws and health requirements or face the consequences.

“I stress again the Ministry of Health has no part in this, and everything in the ministry is regulated,” he said.

“What Mr Al Rahoomi mentioned is spiritual and cannot be measured, and I hope we do not open this door again with the Ministry of Health.

“We do not want to go into this. It can open the door for wrong practices later.”