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Epilepsy in Dubai – Ask Your Doctor
German Senior Consultant in Neurology – Dr. med Heike Jacobs – specialized in Epilepsy, Dementia, Migraine and Sleep Disorders– answers a patient’s question regarding Epilepsy. ‘Ask Your Doctor’ is a GNC Facebook initiative that gives our fans the possibility to get their questions answered by our professionals; for free.
Dear Doctor,
I am suffering from Epilepsy. Is there a legal restriction in Dubai regarding driving permit for people suffering from Epilepsy?
Yours,
Jospeh*
Dear Joseph,
There is no UAE legislation as in many western countries requiring a private driver to inform the RTA of a medical condition like Epilepsy. Commercial drivers though are required to have a medical assessment before a permit is issued.
RTA has issued a mere Guidance for Medical Professionals which are based on the UK Government Driver Medical Standard. Having worked both in Germany as well as in the UK I use these European Regulations to guide my patients with Epilepsy also here in the UAE. I believe they ensure the safety of the driver and all other “road participants.” I think they are also very sensible and reasonable. For example you are not allowed for a specific time to drive after you have had a first seizure. This gives time to assess the situation and way all risks. It is also important to differentiate causes of sudden Loss of Consciousnessevents ie are they of cardiac origin are they simple syncopes or do they carry markers of true seizures.
Each case would be guided in a different way according to risks of driving.
Best wishes,
Dr. med Jacobs
*Names are changed due to confidentiality reasons
© GNC, German Neuroscience Center Dubai (Neurology, Psychiatry, Psychology, Counseling, Dubai, UAE)
