In short
- Only health facilities licensed by DHA may offer telehealth in Dubai.
- Narcotic, controlled and semi-controlled medicines cannot be prescribed through telehealth.
- You can look up any facility or professional in the free Dubai Medical Registry.
- Emergencies are excluded from telehealth. Call 998.
What DHA’s telehealth standard asks for
DHA’s Standards for Telehealth Services, Version 4, took effect in November 2025. A few of its requirements affect what you should expect from a call:
- A licensed facility. Only a DHA licensed health facility can offer telehealth to you.
- Identity checks. The facility has to confirm who you are using at least three identifiers. These can include your full name, date of birth, Emirates ID number, health record number or contact number.
- Your consent. Consent has to be documented and can be electronic. It should explain benefits, constraints and risks, and that you can stop or refuse treatment. A legal guardian consents for an underage patient.
- Language. Services must be available in at least Arabic and English.
- A record of the visit. The consultation is documented, including the names, licence numbers and roles of the professionals involved. Records are integrated with Nabidh, Dubai’s health information exchange.
What cannot happen by video
The standard excludes emergencies that need immediate life-saving intervention, and any prescribing of narcotic, controlled or semi-controlled medicines. A doctor also has to stay within their scope, and refer complex or urgent patients for a face-to-face or emergency assessment. The standard says insurance must not delay advice to seek emergency care.
If you think it is an emergency, call 998 or go to the nearest emergency department before you open an app.
How to check a licence in Dubai
- Open the Dubai Medical Registry. It is public and you do not need to log in.
- To check a person, search under Professionals. Their entry shows their specialty, whether their registration and licence are active, and their licence history, with facility names and dates.
- To check a clinic or hospital, search under Facilities. An entry can show its category, specialties, accreditations and medical director, along with add-on services such as Telehealth.
- Compare the name with the doctor’s profile. If something does not match, ask the clinic before you go ahead.
If you are visiting or travelling
The standard also allows visitors in Dubai to have a consultation. If you are a UAE resident abroad, telehealth is limited to advice and follow-up, and urgent treatment should come from a local provider. If you are outside Dubai, the provider must also meet the rules of the place where you are.
Using medicAI in Dubai
medicAI is a technology platform. Every doctor on it works for a clinic or hospital licensed by DHA in Dubai or DoH in Abu Dhabi, and that facility is responsible for your care. In the app you can use Doctor on Call for everyday illness, or browse doctors by specialty and see the fee before you book. Read more about how video consultations work.
Questions people ask
How do I check if a doctor in Dubai is licensed?
Search the doctor’s name in the Dubai Medical Registry, run by DHA. It is free, needs no login, and shows the specialty, licence status and licence history.
Can a doctor in Dubai prescribe medicine online?
Yes, if they judge it suitable after assessing you, and the medicine is allowed. DHA’s standard does not allow narcotic, controlled or semi-controlled medicines to be prescribed or dispensed through telehealth.
Can a tourist in Dubai see a doctor online?
DHA’s telehealth standard allows international visitors in Dubai to consult through telehealth with a licensed facility. Ask the facility about identification and payment before you book.
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.
