A medical error complaint goes to the health regulator that licensed the doctor or facility: the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) in Dubai, the Department of Health (DoH) in Abu Dhabi, or the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) for private facilities it licenses in the northern emirates. Under Article 18 of Federal Decree-Law No. 4 of 2016 on Medical Liability, a Medical Liability Committee examines the case, and courts do not accept a compensation claim for medical liability until the matter has been put to that committee.
Who this guide is for
- Patients who believe they were harmed by a mistake in diagnosis, treatment, surgery or medication.
- Family members acting for a patient, or for a patient who has died.
- People who want to understand the process before they decide what to do.
A complaint about billing or insurance is a different matter. MOHAP, for example, says it does not handle financial and insurance complaints through its medical complaints service.
What counts as a medical error?
Article 6 of the Medical Liability law defines a medical error as one caused by the practitioner's ignorance of technical matters expected of someone of the same grade and specialty, failure to follow accepted professional and medical practice, failure to take necessary care, or negligence and lack of caution.
Article 17 says there is no medical liability where, for example, the harm was caused by the patient's own action or refusal of treatment, where the doctor followed a different but accepted method, or where known or unexpected complications happened that were not caused by an error. A bad outcome alone is not always an error; the committee decides.
The executive regulation (Cabinet Resolution No. 40 of 2019, Article 5) treats an error as gross where it causes death, the wrong removal of an organ, loss of a function or other serious harm, together with criteria such as gross ignorance, serious negligence or practising while intoxicated.
Where do I complain?
| Where the facility is | Regulator | What the official source says |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | Dubai Health Authority (DHA) | Online through the DHA medical complaints portal (linked from DHA services). DHA's service catalogue lists the service as free, with delivery in 1 to 6 months, and says a complaint more than three years after the event cannot be filed. Confirm the current terms with DHA |
| Abu Dhabi | Department of Health (DoH) | Online "Investigation Request for Medical Error" after registering an account (UAE PASS can be used); fee AED 0. A first-degree relative can complain for a patient who has died. DoH says investigations may take months |
| Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah (private facilities licensed by MOHAP) | Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) | Free; 45 days under its procedures, possibly longer. The complainant must be at least 21, or a guardian, family member or attorney can file |
Sharjah. MOHAP's service conditions list Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, while the FAQ on the same page also names Sharjah. If the facility is in Sharjah, confirm the right channel with MOHAP before filing.
If you are not sure who licensed the facility, check its licence or ask the regulator. The UAE authority navigator can help you pick the first channel.
How does the committee process work?
Based on the law and its executive regulation:
- Filing. Complaints go to the health regulator, on paper or online. They must be in Arabic or come with an Arabic translation, state the subject clearly and attach documents where possible (Regulation, Article 8).
- Changes. You may amend or withdraw the complaint, or add documents, before the committee issues its report (Regulation, Article 8).
- Committee report. The regulator refers the complaint to the Medical Liability Committee, which reports within 30 days of referral; this can be extended (Law, Article 19).
- Grievance. Either side can challenge the report within 30 days of being formally notified. The grievance is filed with the health regulator, which sends it to the Higher Committee for Medical Liability, whose report is final (Law, Articles 20 and 21). If no grievance is filed in time, the first report becomes final.
- Prosecution route. You can also complain to the public prosecution, which refers the matter to the health regulator. A practitioner cannot be investigated, arrested or held on the complaint until a final report finds a gross error (Law, Article 24).
- Compensation. A civil claim for compensation is accepted only after the committee stage (Law, Article 18). A criminal settlement under Article 35 does not affect the right to claim compensation in the civil courts.
Time limits for a compensation claim in court are not set out in these texts. Ask a lawyer about deadlines before you rely on the complaint alone.
Step by step
- Get any urgent care you need first. Your health comes before paperwork.
- Request your medical records from the facility, including reports, test results and imaging.
- Write a timeline of dates, names, treatments and what went wrong.
- Identify the regulator from the facility's licence and emirate.
- File online with the DHA, DoH or MOHAP, and attach documents and translations.
- Keep the reference number and every email from the regulator.
- Read the committee report carefully as soon as you receive it.
- Decide within 30 days whether to file a grievance to the Higher Committee.
- Take advice on compensation before the committee stage ends, so you know what comes next.
Documents checklist
Use the evidence checklist builder to organise these:
- Emirates ID of the patient and the complainant
- Medical reports, discharge summaries, lab and imaging results
- Prescriptions and pharmacy receipts
- Consent forms you signed
- Invoices and insurance correspondence
- Photos of visible injuries, with dates
- Your written timeline and names of staff involved
- Death certificate, if complaining for a patient who died
- Power of attorney, if someone else is filing
- Arabic translations of documents in other languages
See also preparing documents and evidence for a UAE hearing.
Common mistakes
- Going straight to court for compensation. Article 18 requires the committee stage first.
- Missing the 30-day grievance window. After that, the report becomes final.
- Filing with the wrong regulator. Check which authority licensed the facility.
- Waiting too long. DHA's catalogue says complaints over three years old cannot be filed.
- Sending documents without translation. The regulation asks for Arabic or a translation.
- Posting accusations online. Keep to official channels; public claims can create legal risk.
When to speak to a licensed lawyer
Speak to a licensed lawyer if the harm is serious, if a patient has died, if you want compensation, or if you disagree with a committee report. Deadlines are short and the evidence is technical. The free case check can help you set out the facts first, and CaseDaleel can introduce an independent licensed professional only if you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file a medical negligence complaint in Dubai?
With the Dubai Health Authority through its online medical complaints portal.
Where do I complain in Abu Dhabi?
With the Department of Health through its "Investigation Request for Medical Error" e-service, which lists no fee.
Is there a fee to complain?
DoH and MOHAP list their medical complaint services as free as of September 2026, and DHA's 2022 service catalogue also lists its service as free.
Can I sue the hospital without going to the committee?
No, Article 18 of Federal Decree-Law No. 4 of 2016 says compensation claims are accepted only after the case has been put to a Medical Liability Committee.
How long does the committee take?
The law gives 30 days from referral, extendable, but DoH says investigations may take months, MOHAP lists 45 days or longer, and DHA's 2022 catalogue lists 1 to 6 months.
Can I challenge the committee's report?
Yes, within 30 days of formal notification, through a grievance filed with the health regulator for the Higher Committee for Medical Liability, whose report is final.
Can a relative complain for a patient who died?
DoH allows a first-degree relative to file with a death certificate, and MOHAP allows family members or an attorney to file for a patient who cannot.
Official sources
- UAE Legislation — Federal Decree-Law No. 4 of 2016 on Medical Liability (Arabic)
- UAE Legislation — Cabinet Resolution No. 40 of 2019, executive regulation of the Medical Liability law (Arabic)
- Dubai Health Authority — Health Regulation Sector service catalogue (medical complaints)
- Department of Health Abu Dhabi — Investigation Request for Medical Error
- Ministry of Health and Prevention — Complaints about private health facilities, pharmacies and their medical staff
General information, not legal advice. CaseDaleel is not a law firm.