Your health is in your hands

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.”

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com