When should you hear back?
Enter the date you filed. You get the response time the authority publishes, worked out as dates.
How long does each step take?
| Step | Stated time |
|---|---|
| Complaint to Dubai Health Authority | 1 to 6 months |
| Complaint to Department of Health Abu Dhabi | The investigation might take months |
| Complaint to Emirates Health Services | 12 weeks |
| Complaint to Ministry of Health and Prevention | 45 days, longer for complex complaints |
| Complaint to Sharjah Health Authority | Depends on the medical committee |
| Medical liability committee report | 30 days from referral, and the period can be extended |
| Higher Committee report on an appeal | 30 days from referral, and the period can be extended |
| Appeal through EHS | About 6 months |
A worked example
A complaint filed with DHA on 12 November 2026 has a stated time of 1 to 6 months, so an answer between 12 December 2026 and 12 May 2027.
In Abu Dhabi, a service complaint to a facility must be acknowledged within 24 hours and answered within 3 working days under the Department of Health’s patient experience standard. A clinical complaint is directed to the Abu Dhabi Government Contact Centre on 800 555. What the committee decides is on the committee page.
Sources
- Submit Medical ComplaintDubai Health Authority. Service record last updated 23 September 2026. Read 12 November 2026.
- Investigation Request for Medical ErrorDepartment of Health Abu Dhabi. Page last updated 10 November 2026. Read 12 November 2026.
- Submit Medical ComplaintsEmirates Health Services. Page as published on 17 January 2026. Read 12 November 2026.
- Complaints about private health and pharmaceutical facilities and their medical staffMinistry of Health and Prevention. Page as published on 14 February 2026. Read 12 November 2026.
- Medical Complaint ServiceSharjah Health Authority. Read 12 November 2026.
- Request to Appeal Against the Decision of Medical Liability CommitteeEmirates Health Services. Page as published on 12 November 2025. Read 12 November 2026.
- Federal Decree-Law No. (4) of 2016 on Medical LiabilityUAE Legislation. Articles 18 to 21. Official English translation; the Arabic text prevails. Read 12 November 2026.
- Cabinet Resolution No. (14) of 2020 Concerning the Supreme Committee of Medical LiabilityUAE Legislation. Article 7(5). In force 12 March 2020. Read 12 November 2026.
- Patient Experience StandardDepartment of Health Abu Dhabi. Effective April 2026. Read 12 November 2026.