A DHA inspection checks the licence, the staff, the patient files, controlled drugs, the self inspection and the NABIDH connection. DHA's Health Facility Audit and Inspection policy sets the inspection types and the outcomes, and the facility runs DHA's own checklists every three months.
The policy behind the inspection
DHA's policy, Health Facility Audit and Inspection, DHA/HRS/HPSD/HP-03, version 2, took effect on 16 February 2022. It sets four inspection types, routine, management order, file collection and final, and a risk rating of very low, low, medium or high that decides how often routine inspections happen. Facilities run a self inspection with DHA's checklists every three months.1
| Area | What the inspector checks | Evidence to have ready |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | Active, displayed, within scope | The licence and its services |
| Staff | Licensed and within privileges | Every professional's DHA licence |
| Patient files | Complete, signed, timed | Any file, on request |
| Controlled drugs | Handled and recorded correctly | Prescribing records and checks |
| Self inspection | Done every three months | The last four quarters |
| NABIDH | Connected, data flowing | A record that meets the NABIDH minimum data set |
- Download DHA's self inspection checklists. For your facility type, from DHA's website.
- Give each area an owner. The medical director for files and staff, a named lead for drugs and data.
- Run it every quarter. Sign it, date it and keep it for the inspector.
- Close gaps with dates. Every gap gets an action, an owner and a date.
- Pull five files a month. Read them as an inspector collecting them would.
- Quarter ______ Completed by ______
- Licence and staff checked ______
- Files reviewed ______ Gaps ______
- Controlled drug records checked ______
- NABIDH connection checked ______
- Actions, owner and date ______
How the inspection ends
Each inspection ends Fulfilling, Follow up or Not fulfilling, and a report is issued within five working days through Sheryan.1 Violations now fall under Executive Council Resolution No. 49 of 2024.2
Questions
Where are DHA's self inspection checklists?
On DHA's website. The policy says facilities use them every three months.
How often does DHA inspect?
As often as the facility's risk rating sets, very low, low, medium or high.
How soon is the report issued?
Within five working days, through Sheryan.
Sources
- 1Dubai Health Authority, 2022Health Facility Audit and Inspection, DHA/HRS/HPSD/HP-03, version 2, effective 16 February 2022Read source
- 2Dubai Legal Portal, 2024Executive Council Resolution No. (49) of 2024 Regulating the Practice of Health Professions and Health Activities in the Emirate of DubaiRead source
Written by the wai team from Dubai Health Authority guidance, checked on 15 October 2026. This is guidance, not legal advice. DHA does not endorse wai or any software.