The general perception is, if the economy is healthy then even the citizens are healthy. In case of UAE, the cities have better facilities than the rural areas. The healthcare sector has been evolving for the last 30 years continuously. The national policies cover local health parameters. The country is listed at number 43 out of the 174, by the UN Human Development. UAE is also the 4th developed Arab state in the Middle East. The endemic diseases have been eradicated from all areas. Mortality rate has lowered to nine per thousand. All the public hospitals offer normal and specialised services of healthcare. Flush with funds, the sector is upgraded regularly. Nearly 81% of healthcare is sponsored by the government. But privatization has allowed foreign investments to flow in the region. There are nine preventive measure centres. They take care of the health awareness, educative programs, immunization and research.
School healthcare programs are interactive and are regularly organised. There is a central health education centre with branches in medical zones. The Ministry of Health is regularly monitoring the health of the children through various programs. Even the locals are encouraged to participate in the training programs and finally choose it as a career. Regular conferences, seminars and exhibitions take place on healthcare where even members from other countries are invited. The infrastructure is upgraded every now and then to care for the citizens. The challenge of remaining focused on all fronts of healthcare and implementing it is regularly taken up by Dubai Health Authority. They are now focused on privatization of some parts of the healthcare sector. It is also turning back to strengthen the existing primary health care units in the country. As private investors are being encouraged to invest in medical facilities, the government is giving priority status to healthcare. Some of the key areas which Dubai Health Authority will focus on are:
• Improving the healthcare governance structure
• Improving the health system planning with service, availability, accessibility and quality.
• Proper funding for basic healthcare
• International accreditation of hospitals
• General improvement of clinical processes, guidelines and their licenses
• Help citizens to take care of proper health, create awareness programs
The government is aware as the population grows the healthcare sector will have to keep pace. With DHA’s agenda to take over this important sector, it will take at least four years for streamlining. Even the expatriates will demand better conditions to work and live. Health is of primary importance. At some point even medical tourism will be offered in the country. Dubai already is emerging as a top Middle East destination for travel and business. With healthcare services online and upgraded it will help the country to remain in the forefront. For investors wanting to participate in the business of healthy living in the Emirate, the guidelines and licenses will become easier to obtain. Subsidiary agencies will come up and certain amount of autonomy will be given to them for better governance.
By: Jasdeep Kaur
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