the feature pages · part 1
IV drips and injections: what a visiting doctor can and cannot authorise
IV therapy at home sits in two very different categories, and it pays to know which one you are buying. The first is clinical: rehydration saline for gastroenteritis, IV antiemetics for uncontrolled vomiting, IV paracetamol for high fever, and in some cases a first dose of IV antibiotics after assessment. A licensed doctor can order and administer these during a visit, with vitals taken before, during and after the infusion. Expect the clinical assessment to come first, always; a doctor who agrees to a specific drip over chat before examining anyone is skipping the step that makes it safe.
These are elective, they still legally require a licensed clinician to cannulate and supervise, and a responsible provider will screen for kidney issues, medication interactions and pregnancy before agreeing.
the feature pages · part 2
Sick notes and medical certificates: paperwork your HR will accept
A medical certificate from a home visit is legitimate sick-leave evidence in the UAE provided the issuing doctor is licensed by the relevant authority, DHA in Dubai, DoH in Abu Dhabi, MOHAP in the northern emirates, and the certificate carries the doctor's name, licence number, the facility details, dates of unfitness and a stamp. Under UAE labour law, private-sector employees are entitled to sick leave supported by a medical certificate, so the note has real legal weight; it is not a courtesy letter.
Keep the visit summary alongside the certificate. If HR or an insurer queries the absence, the summary showing recorded vitals and a diagnosis code is what settles it in one email instead of five.
the feature pages · part 3
The prescription-to-pharmacy loop: closing the visit properly
The visit is not finished when the doctor leaves; it is finished when the medication is in the house and the follow-up plan is clear. UAE prescriptions from home visits are typically issued electronically, and the ecosystem around them is genuinely good: most licensed pharmacies deliver, urban areas are often covered within the hour, and the doctor or coordinator will usually route the e-prescription to a pharmacy near you before they are out of the parking lot. Ask the doctor to talk you through each item, what it is for, dose timing, with or without food, and what to skip if you improve early.
The loop closes with follow-up. Decent vendors include a check-in call or message within 24-72 hours, and if the same problem needs a second look, rebooking the same doctor beats starting from zero; on tamam, same-vendor rebooking keeps the doctor who already examined you one tap away, and the visit history sits in the app rather than in your memory.
letters to the editor
Frequently asked questions
letter no. 1
Is a home visit safe for a baby or should I always go to hospital?
the desk replies — For most childhood illness in children over three months, fever, coughs, ear pain, gastro, a home pediatric assessment is appropriate and often produces a better exam than a stressed late-night waiting room. Hard exceptions go to hospital: any fever under three months of age, laboured breathing, unusual drowsiness, refusal of all fluids, or a rash that does not fade under pressure.
letter no. 2
How quickly can a doctor reach me?
the desk replies — It depends on your emirate, your district and the hour, which is why vendors quote an arrival window at booking rather than a universal promise. Central Dubai and Abu Dhabi districts see the shortest windows; Ajman, UAQ and the east coast run longer because many doctors dispatch from neighbouring emirates. Confirm the window in writing and treat a vendor that holds it as one to rebook.
letter no. 3
Can blood tests be done during the visit?
the desk replies — Frequently, yes. Many home-visit operations draw samples on site and route them to a partner laboratory, with results delivered electronically in a day or two for routine panels. If bloodwork is likely, mention it when booking so the doctor arrives with collection supplies, or pair the visit with a dedicated at-home blood test service.
letter no. 4
How do I verify the doctor is genuinely licensed?
the desk replies — Ask for the doctor's full name and licence number at booking, then check the public register of the relevant authority: DHA's licence search for Dubai, the DoH register for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, and the MOHAP registry for the northern emirates. Platforms that verify vendor licensing before listing, as tamam does, take most of this work off you, but the registers remain open to anyone.
letter no. 5
Can one visit cover two sick family members?
the desk replies — Usually, and it is the economical way to handle a household virus, since second-patient add-ons commonly run AED 150-400 against a full second call-out. Declare every patient when booking, though; each person needs their own assessment, documentation and prescription, and the doctor needs to allocate enough time on site.
letter no. 6
Do you cover La Mer Area?
the desk replies — We cover La Mer Area and the surrounding Dubai communities. Message on whatsapp if you want a specific time confirmed first.