In short
- Tele-medicine in Abu Dhabi requires a DoH licence, and the same laws apply as for face-to-face care.
- Sick leave by tele-consultation is limited to one day under the DoH standard.
- TAMM has public search tools for doctors, health facilities and facility licence numbers.
- Urgent conditions are not for tele-prescribing. In an emergency, call 998.
What a tele-consultation can include
The DOH Standard on Tele-Medicine, in force since September 2020, lists what tele-consultation may cover. It should be read with DoH’s current requirements, so ask your facility if you need certainty on a particular point.
| Allowed by tele-consultation | Not allowed by tele-consultation |
|---|---|
| Triage, assessment and diagnosis, including looking at body symptoms by video | Invasive clinical interventions, which need a referral for face-to-face care |
| Tele-mental health and remote monitoring | Certificates such as fitness for work |
| Prescribing, with a doctor’s real-time audio or video contact | Disability assessments |
| Requests for laboratory tests, referrals, follow-up and self-care advice | Sick leave beyond a single day, an extension, or backdated leave |
Prescriptions, under the DoH standard
The standard is specific about when a physician should not prescribe remotely. Tele-prescribing is not meant for emergency or urgent conditions, or for conditions that need an in-person encounter or physical examination to diagnose. If the physician is unsure, they should refer you for face-to-face care. Before prescribing, they need a real-time audio or video consultation with you, and children are treated through their legal guardian.
Controlled medicines must follow federal law and DoH rules, so expect a doctor to be cautious here. Do not assume an online visit can renew them.
Consent and identity
You should be told clearly what the service is, what the risks are, and who the professionals are and what their qualifications are. In Abu Dhabi, consent can be electronic, or verbal if it is recorded and documented, and a verbal consent includes confirming your identity. Have your Emirates ID nearby.
Your facility may also share your records through Malaffi, the health information exchange that connects public and private providers in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
How to check a licence in Abu Dhabi
- A doctor: use Find A Medical Professional on TAMM. You can filter by profession and area, and results show the specialty, the name and a licence code.
- A clinic or hospital: use Find a Health Facility, with filters for facility type, area and whether it takes insurance.
- A facility licence number: use Search with Facility License Number. The number starts with MF or PF, followed by numerals.
Using medicAI in Abu Dhabi
medicAI does not treat patients. Each doctor you see through it works for a clinic or hospital licensed by DHA in Dubai or DoH in Abu Dhabi, which is responsible for your care. If your employer or insurer has given you a code, the clinic checks your cover before the consult, and you pay only your co-pay, if there is one. You can browse doctors or read how a video consult works.
A video visit is not for emergencies. Call 998 or go to the nearest hospital.
Questions people ask
How do I check if a doctor in Abu Dhabi is licensed?
Use the Find A Medical Professional tool from DoH on the TAMM platform. Results list each professional’s specialty, name and licence code.
Can I get sick leave from an online doctor in Abu Dhabi?
The DoH standard allows one day of sick leave by tele-consultation, provided it does not extend existing leave and is not backdated. The decision is always the doctor’s.
Can an online doctor in Abu Dhabi issue a fitness for work certificate?
No. The DoH standard excludes certificates such as fitness for work and disability assessments from tele-consultation, so you would need to attend in person.
Sources and further reading
Read next
medicAI is not for emergencies. If someone is seriously ill or injured, call 998 or go to the nearest hospital.
This page is general information. It does not replace advice from a doctor who knows your situation. medicAI is a technology platform. Care is given by independent licensed facilities, who are responsible for it and for its outcome.
