Cookie Policy
1. Introduction
Vital Mena Health ("the Clinic") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website in accordance with UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 45/2021 on Personal Data Protection (PDPL) and TDRA regulations.
IMPORTANT — Health Data Protection
Patient health data, diagnostic results, pulmonary function test reports, and clinical records are NEVER processed through website cookies. These are completely isolated in our encrypted Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. Cookies apply only to website browsing behaviour.
2. What Are Cookies
Cookies are small data files placed on your device when you visit a website. They enable websites to remember preferences and understand how visitors use the site.
| Technology | Description |
|---|---|
| Cookies | Small text files stored on your device by the website for a set period (session or persistent) |
| First-Party Cookies | Set directly by vitalmenahealth.com — used for session management and preferences |
| Third-Party Cookies | Set by external services (Google Analytics, Meta) embedded in the website |
| Web Beacons | Tiny invisible images that confirm email opens or page visits |
| Local Storage | Browser storage for persistent data, not sent with every request |
| Session Storage | Browser storage cleared when the tab is closed |
3. Cookie Categories
Strictly Necessary
These cookies are essential for the website to function. They manage user sessions and store consent preferences.
No consent required — these cannot be disabled without breaking website functionality.
Functional
These cookies remember your preferences such as language selection (English/Arabic) and appointment form state.
Consent required. Disabling these may affect website personalisation.
Analytics
These cookies help us understand how visitors use the website (pages visited, traffic sources, session duration).
Consent required. IP addresses are anonymised — no personal identification.
Marketing / Targeting
These cookies are used by third-party advertising platforms. They track visitors across websites to enable targeted advertising.
Opt-in consent only. You may decline without affecting core website functionality.
Healthcare Website Safeguard
Vital Mena Health confirms that patient records, diagnostic results (spirometry, sleep studies, bronchoscopy, imaging), pulmonary function test data, and any clinical information are NEVER processed through cookies, analytics tracking events, or advertising pixels.
All patient data is completely isolated in our encrypted EHR system and is not accessible through website analytics.
4. Cookie Inventory
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHPSESSID | Vital Mena Health | Session management — maintains user session state | Session | STRICTLY NECESSARY |
| wordpress_logged_in_* | WordPress | Authenticated admin/user session token | Session | STRICTLY NECESSARY |
| cookielawinfo-consent | Cookie plugin | Stores user cookie consent preferences | 1 year | STRICTLY NECESSARY |
| wp-settings-* | WordPress | User interface preferences (admin) | Session | STRICTLY NECESSARY |
| lang | Vital Mena Health | Stores selected language preference (EN/AR) | 1 year | FUNCTIONAL |
| tz | Vital Mena Health | Stores timezone preference for appointment display | 1 year | FUNCTIONAL |
| booking_session | Booking portal | Retains appointment form state during booking process | Session | FUNCTIONAL |
| _ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users for traffic analysis | 2 years | ANALYTICS |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes users — expires after 24 hours | 24 hours | ANALYTICS |
| _gat | Google Analytics | Throttles Analytics request rate | 1 minute | ANALYTICS |
| _fbp | Meta (Facebook) | Identifies browser for Meta advertising platform | 3 months | MARKETING |
| fr | Meta (Facebook) | Advertising delivery and measurement for Meta | 3 months | MARKETING |
| _gcl_au | Google Ads | Google conversion tracking and ad optimisation | 3 months | MARKETING |
5. Legal Basis for Cookies
| Category | Legal Basis | PDPL Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly Necessary | Legitimate Interest / Contract | PDPL Art. 8 — no consent required for essential functions |
| Functional | Consent | PDPL Art. 5 — explicit user consent via cookie banner |
| Analytics | Consent | PDPL Art. 5 — explicit consent; IP anonymisation applied |
| Marketing | Consent (opt-in) | PDPL Art. 5 — active opt-in only; not pre-ticked |
6. Managing Your Cookie Preferences
6.1 Consent Banner
On your first visit, a cookie consent banner will appear. You can accept all, reject non-essential, or customise your preferences. You may update your choices at any time by clearing cookies and revisiting the site.
6.2 Browser Controls
| Browser | Cookie Settings Path |
|---|---|
| Google Chrome | Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data |
| Mozilla Firefox | Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data |
| Safari (macOS) | Safari > Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data |
| Safari (iOS) | Settings > Safari > Privacy & Security |
| Microsoft Edge | Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Manage and delete cookies |
| Samsung Internet | Settings > Privacy > Smart Anti-Tracking / Delete browsing data |
6.3 Third-Party Opt-Out Tools
- Google Analytics Opt-Out: Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on from tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
- Meta Ad Preferences: Manage advertising preferences at www.facebook.com/adpreferences
- Google Ad Settings: Manage Google ad personalisation at adssettings.google.com
7. Cookies & Health Data Protection
As a DHA-licensed pulmonology clinic handling sensitive respiratory health data, Vital Mena Health applies the following specific safeguards:
- Diagnostic results (spirometry, sleep studies, bronchoscopy, chest imaging) are never sent to Google Analytics or any tracking platform
- Patient names, Emirates ID, insurance details, and clinical information are never passed as analytics parameters or event data
- The online booking form does not track form field contents — only form submission completion events
- The EHR system is completely isolated from the website and has no analytics instrumentation
- NABIDH health data exchange is entirely separate from website technology
8. Do Not Track
Some browsers send a "Do Not Track" (DNT) signal. Vital Mena Health currently does not respond to DNT signals in a standardised way, as there is no universal standard for this signal. We recommend using the consent banner and browser controls described in Section 6 to manage your preferences.
9. Data Retention
| Category | Retention | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly Necessary | Session or 1 year | Consent record kept for 1 year |
| Functional | Up to 1 year | Deleted when consent is withdrawn |
| Analytics | Up to 2 years | Anonymised data; IP not stored |
| Marketing | Up to 3 months | Deleted immediately on opt-out |
10. Updates & Contact
This Cookie Policy is reviewed annually or when our cookie usage changes materially. The current version is always available at [www.vitalmenahealth.com].
- For questions about cookies or data privacy: privacy@vitalmenahealth.com
- Address: Um Hurair second, Royal palm business center, 13th floor office #4, OF13-4 Dubai, UAE
- Phone: 045781600
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