The existing medical code of ethics in the UAE was published in 2001, and will now be upgraded before the law comes into effect.
"Following implementation of the law, nurses, pharmacists and other medical cadres will have to respect their jobs and be accountable for what they do," he added.
He said that the International Islamic Code of Ethics will be used as a reference as it has also been approved by the AGCC Ministers of Health.
According to details, the law is a joint effort of Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ministry of Justice and is aimed at protecting both the patients and medical providers.
The law will tackle findings based on the complaints received by the Medical Liability Department and the investigations carried out by the department.
It will also list 20 such cases of malpractice which hospitals will have to compulsorily report to the MoH while addressing technical and medical aspects only.
Dr Basil Abdul Jabbar, consultant and head of Medical Liability Department at the MoH, said, "The code is being addressed in three parts. The first covers the responsibilities of medical staff. The second will address special subjects (such as brain dead patients, and abortion options), while the third pertains to licensing and regulations."
He added: "There are some issues such as brain dead and euthanasia, which are contested even among medical experts. We’ll use parts of the Islamic Code of Conduct to guide us on these issues," he explained.
Dr Ali Shukr, under-secretary at the MoH, however, explained that abortion cases in the UAE could be allowed within 120 days of the pregnancy in case a foetus develops congenital deformities.
"After 120 days of the pregnancy, abortion is legal only if the mother’s life is in danger," he pointed out.
