UAE updates sick leave rules shifting certification responsibility to healthcare providers

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has overhauled the statutory sick leave attestation and validation framework governing employers and employees, Arabian Business reported.

Under the updated regulations, the procedural responsibility for submitting and certifying medical absences has shifted from patients and employees directly to licensed healthcare providers. The reform was introduced as part of the federal government's Zero Bureaucracy program aimed at eliminating redundant administrative procedures across the labor and healthcare sectors.

Healthcare facilities are now required to validate, record, and transmit electronic medical leave certificates directly to employers using unified digital platforms. According to the report, this change reduces administrative paperwork and accelerates processing times for companies managing employee health leave compliance.