Patient Rights & Responsibilities
Preamble
Vital Mena Health — Commitment to Respiratory Health and Patient Dignity
Vital Mena Health is a DHA-licensed pulmonology clinic in Dubai, UAE, dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory conditions. Our clinical services include General Respiratory Medicine, Sleep Medicine & Sleep Studies, and Diagnostic Procedures including spirometry, bronchoscopy, lung function testing, chest X-ray, and CT scanning.
Every patient who comes to Vital Mena Health is entitled to expert care delivered with dignity, respect, and full transparency. This document sets out your rights and responsibilities as a patient and is aligned with the DHA Patient Rights & Responsibilities Charter.
1. Scope & Definitions
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| "Clinic" | Vital Mena Health, DHA-licensed pulmonology clinic in Dubai, UAE |
| "Patient" | Any individual receiving or seeking clinical care at the Clinic |
| "Representative" | A parent, legal guardian, or authorised next of kin acting on a patient's behalf |
| "Pulmonologist" | A DHA-licensed specialist physician in respiratory and pulmonary medicine |
| "DHA" | Dubai Health Authority — the Clinic's licensing and regulatory body |
| "NABIDH" | DHA Health Data Exchange — the connected health data platform for Dubai |
| "Diagnostic Procedure" | Any of: spirometry, lung function test, bronchoscopy, sleep study (polysomnography), chest X-ray, or CT scan |
| "Informed Consent" | Written agreement given by a patient who has received full information about a procedure's purpose, risks, and alternatives |
| "EHR" | Electronic Health Record — the Clinic's secure digital patient record system |
| "Insurance" | Dubai health insurance coverage under Dubai Law No. 11/2013 |
2. Your Rights as a Patient
As a patient of Vital Mena Health, you are entitled to the following 18 rights, consistent with the DHA Patient Rights & Responsibilities Charter and UAE healthcare law.
| # | Right | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dignified & Respectful Care | Every patient is entitled to compassionate, non-discriminatory care. Respiratory conditions including asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, and lung disease carry no stigma at Vital Mena Health. |
| 2 | Information in Language You Understand | You have the right to receive all information — diagnosis, treatment plan, test results, and procedure risks — in a language you understand. English and Arabic are available. |
| 3 | Informed Consent | No procedure — including spirometry, bronchoscopy, sleep study, chest X-ray, or CT scan — will be performed without your written informed consent. Consent is required for each specific diagnostic procedure. |
| 4 | Refuse Treatment | You have the right to refuse any treatment or diagnostic procedure, including specific tests. The clinical team will explain the consequences of refusal and note this in your record. |
| 5 | Second Opinion | You have the right to seek a second pulmonologist opinion. The Clinic will facilitate provision of your records to another DHA-licensed specialist on your written request. |
| 6 | Confidentiality & Privacy | Your respiratory health records are strictly confidential and protected under UAE PDPL. Records are not shared without your consent except as required by law or your direct care. |
| 7 | Access Your Medical Records | You have the right to access and receive copies of your medical records, including spirometry reports, sleep study results, bronchoscopy findings, and imaging reports. |
| 8 | Continuity of Care | You are entitled to follow-up care after procedures, referral letters to your GP and relevant specialists, and a clear ongoing care plan. |
| 9 | Pain & Discomfort Management | For procedures involving discomfort — particularly bronchoscopy — you have the right to have sedation and analgesia options discussed with you before the procedure. |
| 10 | Participate in Care Decisions | You have the right to be involved in decisions about your respiratory care plan, including CPAP/BiPAP settings, asthma and COPD management plans, and medication choices. |
| 11 | Know Your Clinical Team | You have the right to know the name, DHA credential, and specialty of every clinician involved in your care. |
| 12 | Safe & Clean Environment | As a respiratory clinic, Vital Mena Health maintains rigorous infection control standards including airborne precaution protocols consistent with DHA standards. |
| 13 | Emergency Care | Any patient presenting in respiratory distress will receive immediate stabilising care regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. |
| 14 | Informed of Preparation Requirements | You have the right to receive full, clear, written instructions for every procedure requiring preparation — including fasting for bronchoscopy, medication holds for spirometry, and sleep study preparation. |
| 15 | Receive Diagnostic Results | You have the right to receive and understand all test results in a timely manner. Results will be explained by your treating pulmonologist, not just provided in a report. |
| 16 | Complaint Without Reprisal | You may complain about your care without fear of reprisal or changes to the quality of your treatment. Complaints may also be escalated to DHA at 800-342. |
| 17 | Advance Directives | Patients aged 21 and over may provide advance directives regarding their care preferences. Please ask the clinical team for guidance on completing an advance directive. |
| 18 | Data Privacy Rights | Under UAE PDPL you have the rights to access, correct, erase, restrict, and port your personal health data, and to withdraw consent where applicable. |
3. Diagnostic Procedure-Specific Rights
As a patient undergoing specialist respiratory diagnostic procedures, you have the following additional rights:
3.1 Spirometry & Lung Function Tests
- Right to know the normal reference ranges used to interpret your results
- Right to receive a full written spirometry report
- Right to have your results explained in plain language by a qualified pulmonologist
- Right to ask questions about what the results mean for your respiratory health
3.2 Bronchoscopy
- Right to full pre-procedure information including purpose, technique, risks (bleeding, infection, reaction to sedation), and alternatives
- Right to withdraw consent at any time before sedation is administered
- Right to have your questions answered fully before proceeding
- Right to receive written post-procedure care instructions before leaving the clinic
- Right to have a responsible adult accompany you and be briefed on post-procedure monitoring
3.3 Sleep Study (Polysomnography)
- Right to privacy and dignity during the sleep study
- Right to have sleep study results explained by a pulmonologist qualified in sleep medicine
- Right to a complete treatment plan if sleep apnea or another condition is identified (including CPAP/BiPAP prescription if indicated)
- Right to have equipment needs and CPAP settings explained clearly before use
3.4 Chest Imaging (X-Ray & CT Scan)
- Right to know the estimated radiation dose for your specific procedure
- Right to receive a written radiology report
- Right to have your imaging shared with your treating pulmonologist and other involved physicians
- Right to discuss imaging alternatives if you have concerns (e.g., pregnancy)
4. Special Patient Populations
4.1 Paediatric Patients
Children presenting with respiratory conditions including childhood asthma, bronchiolitis, recurrent wheeze, and other paediatric lung conditions are treated with age-appropriate care. All procedures require written consent from a parent or legal guardian. The child's best interests are central to all clinical decisions.
4.2 Elderly Patients
Elderly patients, particularly those with COPD, age-related respiratory decline, or multiple comorbidities, are provided enhanced time and communication support. The clinical team will consider age-related factors in all diagnostic and treatment planning.
4.3 Pregnant Patients
Pregnant patients are entitled to discussion of imaging alternatives before any chest X-ray or CT scan. Radiation safety will be explained. Medication safety in pregnancy will be reviewed before any respiratory medication is prescribed.
4.4 Patients with Disabilities
Vital Mena Health is committed to accessibility. Patients with physical or sensory disabilities will be accommodated. Please inform reception of any accessibility requirements at the time of booking.
4.5 Occupational Respiratory Patients
Patients presenting with work-related respiratory conditions (occupational asthma, pneumoconiosis, chemical exposure) have a right to strict confidentiality from their employer. Clinical findings will not be shared with employers without explicit patient consent.
5. Patient Responsibilities
In order for the clinical team to provide you with the safest, most effective respiratory care, patients are expected to:
| 1 | Provide accurate and complete health history, medication list, and symptom information |
| 2 | Follow all pre-procedure preparation instructions — including fasting for bronchoscopy and medication holds for spirometry. This is a SAFETY requirement, not a preference. |
| 3 | Attend appointments on time and provide at least 24 hours notice for cancellations or rescheduling |
| 4 | Disclose all current medications, especially inhalers, corticosteroids, anticoagulants (particularly relevant before bronchoscopy), and over-the-counter supplements |
| 5 | Arrange transport home after bronchoscopy — you must NOT drive yourself following sedation. A responsible adult must be available to accompany you. |
| 6 | Treat all clinic staff, fellow patients, and the facility with respect |
| 7 | Maintain valid health insurance coverage in accordance with Dubai Law No. 11/2013 or make payment arrangements in advance for self-pay visits |
| 8 | Meet all financial obligations including co-payments, self-pay fees, and deductibles on the date of service or as agreed |
| 9 | Inform the Clinic of any significant changes in your respiratory symptoms between appointments, particularly worsening breathlessness, new haemoptysis, or chest pain |
| 10 | Do not smoke within or immediately outside the clinic premises — this is a respiratory clinic and a smoke-free environment |
| 11 | Comply with infection control measures as requested — including wearing a mask when indicated in the respiratory clinic setting |
6. Data Privacy Rights
Your respiratory health records and personal data are protected under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 45/2021 on Personal Data Protection (PDPL). You have the following rights:
| Right | How to Exercise |
|---|---|
| Access your records | Request copies of all health records including diagnostic reports — contact teledoc@vitalmenahealth.com |
| Correct inaccurate data | Submit a correction request with supporting documentation |
| Erase your data | Request deletion where no legal retention obligation applies (clinical records are subject to mandatory retention) |
| Restrict processing | Request limitation of processing in specific circumstances |
| Data portability | Receive your data in a machine-readable format |
| Withdraw consent | Withdraw consent at any time where processing is consent-based (e.g., newsletter) |
| Complain | Lodge a complaint with the UAE Data Protection Office |
NABIDH — Connected Health Data
As a NABIDH-connected facility, Vital Mena Health shares relevant diagnostic results with other DHA-licensed providers involved in your direct care. You may request information about your NABIDH data by contacting teledoc@vitalmenahealth.com.
7. Complaints & Escalation
7.1 Internal Complaints Process
- Step 1: Raise the concern with your treating clinician during the appointment
- Step 2: Submit a formal complaint to reception or teledoc@vitalmenahealth.com
- Step 3: Acknowledgement within 2 business days
- Step 4: Investigation and full response within 7 business days
- Step 5: Appeal to Clinic Manager if the response is unsatisfactory
7.2 External Escalation
| Authority | Contact | Remit |
|---|---|---|
| DHA Patient Complaints | Tel: 800-342 | Clinical care complaints; DHA-licensed facility complaints |
| Dubai Economy & Tourism | Tel: 600-545-555 | Consumer protection; billing and refund disputes |
| MOHAP (Federal) | www.mohap.gov.ae | Federal healthcare and pharmaceutical regulation |
| UAE Data Protection Office | www.tdra.gov.ae | Personal data and PDPL rights complaints |
8. Emergency & Respiratory Distress
Vital Mena Health is an outpatient pulmonology clinic. We are equipped to manage stable respiratory conditions and conduct planned diagnostic procedures. We are not an emergency facility.
RESPIRATORY EMERGENCY
If you or someone with you is experiencing:
- Severe or sudden breathing difficulty
- Chest pain or tightness
- Coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
- Loss of consciousness or confusion
- Severe asthma attack not responding to your inhaler
CALL 998 IMMEDIATELY (UAE Emergency Services)
Do not drive yourself to a hospital. Do not wait for a clinic appointment.
After stabilisation, your emergency team will notify us and we will coordinate your ongoing respiratory care.
For non-emergency respiratory concerns between appointments, please contact teledoc@vitalmenahealth.com or call 045781600 during clinic hours.
Appendix A: Legislative Reference
| Reference | Full Title | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| DHA Law | Dubai Law No. 13/2021 — Dubai Health Authority | Primary licensing and standards authority |
| Medical Liability | Federal Law No. 4/2016 on Medical Liability | Patient rights; healthcare provider obligations |
| UAE PDPL | Federal Decree-Law No. 45/2021 on Personal Data Protection | Health data privacy rights |
| Health Insurance | Dubai Law No. 11/2013 on Health Insurance in Dubai | Insurance rights and access to care |
| Consumer Protection | Federal Decree-Law No. 5/2023 on Consumer Protection | Patient / consumer rights in clinical settings |
| NABIDH | DHA Health Data Exchange Framework | Patient data rights in connected health |
| DHA Patient Charter | DHA Patient Rights and Responsibilities Charter (2022) | Rights standards for DHA-licensed facilities |
| Persons with Disabilities | Federal Law No. 29/2006 on Rights of People with Disabilities | Accessibility obligations |
| Mental Health | Federal Law No. 28/2021 on Mental Health | Consent and care for patients with mental health conditions |
| Occupational Health | Federal Law No. 8/1980 on Labour Relations (as amended) | Work-related respiratory disease rights |
| Children Rights | Federal Law No. 3/2016 on Child Rights (Wadeema Law) | Rights of paediatric patients |
| Criminal Procedure | Federal Decree-Law No. 38/2022 on Criminal Procedure | Patient complaint and legal escalation |
| Arabic Language | Federal Law No. 3/2003 on Arabic Language Use | Right to communication in Arabic |
| UAE Constitution | UAE Constitution — Article 19 (Right to Health) | Constitutional right to healthcare |
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