Dubai workers have to pay AED60 for a sick note from doctor

By Seban Scaria | The 971 Report 

Dubai residents are to be billed AED 60 ($16.34) for a sick note on top of the doctor's AED 50 consultation fee. The new rules came into force on Wednesday, UAE daily newspaper The National reported.

"Previously, only government employees had to pay a AED 50 charge for a note of sick leave but the new charge will affect everybody regardless of where they are working or their social class,”  the daily quoted Dr Layla Al Marzouqi, head of clinical governance at Dubai Health Authority (DHA)

A DHA investigation found some doctors were issuing fake sick leave notes for cash or to help family or friends.

However, there were mixed reactions to the new changes from medical staff and patients across Dubai, the daily reported. 

Engineer Larry McGuiness, who lives in Tecom said: “I think it is ridiculous. 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."

Dr Ramadan Ibrahim, director of health regulation at the DHA, said the new fee will stop some health care professionals from abusing the system. 

“DHA is always open to suggestions and comments and we are currently reviewing the charges,” Dr Ibrahim said.

Many residents took to Twitter to raise their concerns on the new law.

Dr Johannes Van Dijk, a general practitioner at Mediclinic Meadows, said he did not like 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, The National reported.