Ministry of Health streamlines sick leave services through healthcare facility integration

A reimagined approach to medical attestation places responsibility with licensed healthcare providers, eliminating administrative burden for patients and accelerating approval timelines across the UAE.

The paperwork that once surrounded obtaining sick leave attestation has undergone a fundamental shift. The Ministry of Health and Prevention has refined its approach to medical leave services, transferring the submission of attestation requests from individuals to the licensed healthcare facilities that issue the certificates themselves.

Under this enhanced framework, healthcare facilities now submit attestation requests directly on behalf of patients and their companions. When requests meet the required conditions, they proceed automatically to the approval service without requiring a fresh application. The result is a streamlined journey that reduces procedural steps and accelerates completion timelines, aligning with the UAE Government’s Zero Bureaucracy initiative to deliver services that are simpler, swifter and more effective.

Abdullah Ahli, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, described the enhancements as a reflection of the Ministry’s commitment to transforming government service delivery. The changes represent a fundamental redesign of procedures centred on the customer experience and strengthened integration between entities.

The integration between attestation and approval services applies to employees of the Federal Government and the local governments of Ajman, Umm Al Qaiwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, according to approved controls. Healthcare facilities can now also submit attestation requests for patient companion leave alongside patients’ sick leave, addressing the specific needs of those accompanying patients and simplifying the completion of leave procedures.

This transformation reflects a broader philosophy within the Ministry: that Zero Bureaucracy is measured not by abstract metrics but by tangible improvements in customer experience and operational efficiency. By shifting the starting point of the service journey from the individual to the issuing healthcare facility, the approach reduces the effort required from customers whilst maintaining strict adherence to approved procedures and controls.

The Ministry continues to foster a culture of continuous improvement, developing a flexible and sustainable service delivery model capable of completing transactions through interconnected processes. This is supported by effective data exchange between entities and services designed around customer needs, reinforcing the UAE Government’s position among the world’s most efficient administrations.

Source: WAM

What it means for Abu Dhabi

For residents and employees across Abu Dhabi, the enhanced sick leave system removes a layer of administrative friction from healthcare interactions. Whether seeking medical leave for themselves or accompanying a family member, individuals now benefit from a process centred on healthcare providers rather than personal compliance, reducing the time and effort required to obtain necessary approvals.

The initiative exemplifies how the UAE’s approach to government modernisation extends beyond digital platforms into the fundamental redesign of how services flow between institutions. By enabling healthcare facilities and government entities to exchange information seamlessly, the system reinforces the integrated governance model that has long been central to Abu Dhabi’s administrative excellence.