DUBAI // Workers who want to take sick leave in the emirate will now have to pay Dh60 for a note from their doctor.
A decree that comes into force tomorrow means all employees in Dubai will have to pay that amount on top of the doctor’s consultation fee, which is usually about Dh50, even for a single day of sick leave.
Previously, only government employees had to pay a Dh50 charge for a note of sick leave but the new charge will affect everybody “regardless of where they are working or their social class”, said Dr Layla Al Marzouqi, head of clinical governance at Dubai Health Authority (DHA).
It is part of a series of measures being introduced tomorrow to prevent fraudulent abuse of sick leave.
The changes have met mixed reaction from medical staff and patients across the emirate.
Engineer Larry McGuiness, 31, described the new charge as unethical.
“I think it is ridiculous,” Mr McGuiness said. “I think it would be a massive deterrent to those lower-paid members of society to actually take sick leave.
“They will then go to work and spread their illness. I just do not think it is ethical to charge somebody to take sick leave.”
Mr McGuiness, who lives in Tecom, said only a few workers saw sick leave as a holiday.
The fee means everyone is being punished for those few who abuse the system, he said.
“There must be another way rather than charging money,” he said. “It is a tax on the sick.”
Dr Ramadan Ibrahim, director of health regulation at the DHA, said the Dh60 charge was to stop abuse.
“However, DHA is always open to suggestions and comments and we are currently reviewing the charges,” Dr Ibrahim said.
The other measures include a Dh5,000 fine for GPs caught giving out hand-written sick notes instead of using an online system.
A DHA investigation found some doctors were issuing fake sick notes for cash or to help family or friends, among other reasons.
But Dr Johannes Van Dijk, a general practitioner at Mediclinic Meadows, said he detested the idea.
“It shows distrust in doctors and that everyone is punished because of a few transgressors,” Dr Van Dijk said, stressing he was speaking for himself, not the clinic.
“Our administration is increased and patients have to wait a long time after being discharged to receive their letter.”
Dr Ibrahim said the new system would mean the DHA could find healthcare professionals and members of the public who tried to abuse the system.
Dr Ajit Kumar, a GP at the New Medical Centre in Dubai, said his workplace already used the electronic system and all hospitals across the emirate should adopt it.
“It is a good idea,” Dr Kumar said. “The issue of sick notes should always be done in a professional manner. This would increase accountability.”
Dr Khaliq Khan, a doctor at Ismail Medical Centre, said the changes would “stop bad activity”.
"Doctors will have to explain what they know," Dr Khan said. "I think it is needed for the improvement of UAE health care."
jbell@thenational.ae
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
EMIRATES'S%20REVISED%20A350%20DEPLOYMENT%20SCHEDULE
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UAE%20athletes%20heading%20to%20Paris%202024
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
Where to buy art books in the UAE
There are a number of speciality art bookshops in the UAE.
In Dubai, The Lighthouse at Dubai Design District has a wonderfully curated selection of art and design books. Alserkal Avenue runs a pop-up shop at their A4 space, and host the art-book fair Fully Booked during Art Week in March. The Third Line, also in Alserkal Avenue, has a strong book-publishing arm and sells copies at its gallery. Kinokuniya, at Dubai Mall, has some good offerings within its broad selection, and you never know what you will find at the House of Prose in Jumeirah. Finally, all of Gulf Photo Plus’s photo books are available for sale at their show.
In Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi has a beautiful selection of catalogues and art books, and Magrudy’s – across the Emirates, but particularly at their NYU Abu Dhabi site – has a great selection in art, fiction and cultural theory.
In Sharjah, the Sharjah Art Museum sells catalogues and art books at its museum shop, and the Sharjah Art Foundation has a bookshop that offers reads on art, theory and cultural history.
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
LUKA CHUPPI
Director: Laxman Utekar
Producer: Maddock Films, Jio Cinema
Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Kriti Sanon, Pankaj Tripathi, Vinay Pathak, Aparshakti Khurana
Rating: 3/5
Company%20Profile
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The%20Mother%20
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Abu Dhabi traffic facts
Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road
The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.
Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.
The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.
The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.
Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
The biog:
Languages: Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, basic Russian
Favourite food: Pizza
Best food on the road: rice
Favourite colour: silver
Favourite bike: Gold Wing, Honda
Favourite biking destination: Canada
Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 4 liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous electric motors placed at each wheel
Battery: Rimac 120kWh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry
Power: 1877bhp
Torque: 2300Nm
Price: Dh7,500,00
On sale: Now