Dubai suspends non-urgent elective surgeries for one month

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is suspending elective surgeries with effect from January 21 to February 19 in a bid to prioritise Covid-19 care.

In a circular sent to health facilities and seen by Gulf Business, the DHA says the action is “in line with ongoing efforts to safe public health and manage the cases of Covid-19 virus and based on the current need of ensuring the preparedness of health facilities to provide the required healthcare.”

The DHA said exceptions are allowed at the sole discretion of the treating physician and the clinical situation of the patient.

In line with this directive, the Dubai Health Insurance Corporation at DHA will be suspending health insurance for elective non-urgent surgeries.

On Wednesday, the UAE reported 3,506 additional Covid-19 infections, its highest ever daily spike in new cases since the pandemic broke out early last year.

The Ministry of Health also announced that the UAE has administered more than 2 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines.

Read: UAE administers more than 2 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine