The UAE's Ministry of Health and Prevention has overhauled how sick leave is processed, aiming to cut the administrative steps patients previously had to go through. Under the new system, licensed healthcare facilities can now submit attestation requests directly on behalf of patients, a shift from the earlier process that required individuals to initiate their own applications.

Abdullah Ahli, acting assistant undersecretary for the Support Services Sector at the ministry, described the change as part of the UAE government's "Zero Bureaucracy" initiative, saying it is measured by tangible improvements in customer experience and government operational efficiency. Under the revised process, requests that meet the required conditions move straight to approval without needing a separate application stage, removing a step that used to add time and paperwork for both patients and healthcare staff.

The new procedure applies to federal government employees as well as staff working under the local governments of Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Healthcare facilities are also able to submit companion leave requests alongside a patient's sick leave application at the same time, a detail that matters for families who need to accompany a relative during treatment.

The health ministry has previously streamlined several of its administrative procedures to reduce waiting times and paperwork for citizens and residents, and this latest step is presented as part of the UAE's wider e-government push to simplify everyday interactions between the public and state institutions.