Abu Dhabi, UAE- August 2024- The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) has published a comprehensive Healthcare Workforce Bioethics Guidelines in a pioneering step towards ensuring standardised ethical practices in Abu Dhabi’s dynamic healthcare sector.

Built on best practices and in consultation with subject matter experts, bioethics is the study and practice of ethical implications and applications related to health and technology, including those emerging from advances in biology, medicine, and health-related sciences.

The new set of guidelines, which address the increasingly complicated ethical issues in the sector as it continues to grow and advance, was developed in line with findings from a series of workshops with more than 120 global experts and leaders in bioethics and consultation with local and international experts. The development of the guidelines aims to strengthen compliance with existing bioethical laws and is a testament to DoH’s unwavering commitment to enhancing healthcare quality while positioning Abu Dhabi as a global leader in healthcare ethics and innovation.

H.E. Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), said, “Abu Dhabi’s healthcare sector continues to grow at an exponential rate spearheaded by innovation. Our ethical standards must therefore reflect the dynamics of the market while considering the cultural values of the community we serve. The Healthcare Workforce Bioethics Guidelines address the ethical implications of technological advancements in healthcare, providing a framework for the responsible adoption of innovations such as artificial intelligence, genomics, and personalised medicine.’’

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The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) and Sharjah Health Authority (SHA) developed the guidelines in partnership with DoH and now recognize them as a national reference for ethical considerations. Building on the existing Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for Health Professionals (‘Code’) issued by the federal Ministry of Health and Prevention (‘MOHAP’) in 2017, The Healthcare Workforce Bioethics Guidelines aim to raise the profile of the local healthcare sector on a global scale in line with national efforts to transition to a knowledge-based economy.

Also commenting on the newly published guidelines, Dr. Rashed Obaid Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of Healthcare Workforce Planning Sector at DoH, said: “The establishment of a national guideline for bioethics is more relevant now than ever as the healthcare sector in the UAE continues to attract top talent from around the world. By establishing a uniform set of ethical standards, the guidelines ensure that healthcare professionals across the emirate adhere to the highest ethical principles, fostering trust and confidence among patients and the community.’’