Abu Dhabi shuts four health facilities over sick leave scam

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health has shut down four healthcare facilities for issuing false sick leave certificates in exchange for money.

The closures are a preliminary step, with the staff being referred to the Public Prosecution for investigation.

The Department says the facilities violated key laws and regulations by issuing medical certificates through WhatsApp without conducting any medical checks.

Their fraudulent practices also involved falsifying patient records and submitting improper claims to health insurance providers, posing a serious risk to the integrity of the healthcare system.

The Department has urged all healthcare providers in Abu Dhabi to strictly comply with the regulations in order to safeguard public health and maintain the highest levels of quality and accountability.

أعلنت دائرة الصحة – أبوظبي عن إغلاق أربع منشآت صحية في الإمارة تمهيداً لإحالة جميع العاملين فيها إلى النيابة العامة للتحقيق بعد رصد انتهاكها لأحكام القوانين واللوائح السارية في أبوظبي. pic.twitter.com/wf2NpnEjn4

— دائرة الصحة - أبوظبي (@DoHSocial) May 9, 2025