DUBAI - People need to take more responsibility for their health and reduce the increasing burden on the healthcare system, policymakers have said.

As healthcare costs consume greater percentage of national budgets, many governments are shifting from a welfare system to a market-driven system.

In Dubai, a young population, the high rate of chronic diseases and the high demand for healthcare are leading to increased spending, said policymakers in a highly intense debate on ‘Healthcare in the Gulf, setting the reform agenda’ at The Economist conference on Wednesday.

Key officials from Dubai and Abu Dhabi health authorities said that building local talent and establishing trust in healthcare facilities are among the main challenges that needed to be overcome with reforms. “Healthcare spending in the region has tripled over the years and is expected to increase further,” said Oliver Harrison, Director, Public Health and Policy, Health Authority Abu Dhabi.

“Access to the healthcare system has also improved — 98.5 per cent of Abu Dhabi residents have an insurance cover,” he added.

Dubai, which has a more cosmopolitan population, spends 2.5 per cent of its GDP on healthcare alone. Global spending on healthcare is projected to be $55 billion by 2020.

Dubai Health Strategy 2011-2030 hopes to reform the sector and create a sustainable healthcare system. “Over 60 per cent of Dubai population is less than 30 years and this population is not responsible for their health,” said Dr Laila Al Jassmi, Chief Executive Officer, Health Policy and Strategy at the Dubai Health Authority. “This is putting a big burden on the system.”

In the emirate, reforms are ongoing to develop a sustainable system. “Seventy-two per cent of our public healthcare facilities have been accredited and in the next three years, the private sector will also be done,” she said.

Empowering the private sector to share the exploding healthcare costs has also helped reform the local healthcare market.

“Over 43 per cent people visit the outpatient departments in the private sector; likewise 36 per cent visit inpatient departments,” said Dr Laila.

Officials also spoke of integration of healthcare in the UAE through data sharing.

“Statistics do not mean anything for a mother whose child has cancer,” said Princess Dina Mired, Director-General, King Hussein Cancer Foundation. “Availability of care is still on the tables and access is difficult,” she argued.

Patient empowerment, breaking taboos and lack of skilled workforce are among the main hurdles that need to be overcome, she added. “The public needs to know the size of the problem so as to become responsible.”

Health account to monitor spending

A Dubai National Health Account is going to be established by the end of this year to monitor healthcare spending in the emirate, said Dr Laila Al Jassmi, Chief Executive Officer, Health Policy and Strategy at the Dubai Health Authority. The account would ensure transparency in health spending.

She also said the Dubai Health Funding model that would provide basic healthcare to all would be rolled out by the second quarter of 2012.

“Primary healthcare centres are being strengthened in the funding model. This is the first contact the patients will have,” she said. Currently, 23 per cent of Dubai residents have access to health insurance while 73 per cent — majority of blue-collared workers — have no cover.

Getting nationals to join health sector is key

Encouraging UAE nationals in the healthcare sector will develop a long-term sustainable health system and trust among people, said experts at The Economist Conference on ‘Healthcare in the Gulf, setting the reform agenda’.

“Building a local capacity will make people believe in the system,” said Marc Harrison, Chief Executive Officer, Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi.

“People do want to come back and work here,” he said while talking about Cleveland trainees who were currently working in the US. “They haven’t had a platform to return, but they want to make a difference,” he added.

Nigel Weale, Chief Executive Officer, University Hospital, Sharjah said that of the 300-member workforce employed by the teaching hospital, only one was Emirati.

“Only a small number is expected to join in the next few years,” he added. “It is a big challenge.”

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes com

• UAE