Health
From The Report: Abu Dhabi 2015
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The health sector in Abu Dhabi has expanded rapidly on the back of a mandatory medical insurance scheme, while the sector has also been driven by population growth, rising health awareness and an increasing incidence of lifestyle-related diseases. Government health care expenditure nearly doubled between 2007 and 2012 to reach over $12bn that year, with government spending comprising 3.3% of total GDP, the highest ratio in the GCC. Human resource shortages will present a challenge to the emirate, with estimates suggesting that Abu Dhabi will require an additional 1600- 4800 doctors by 2022. Such challenges, though serious, have nonetheless opened considerable opportunities for expansion for health care providers in the emirate.

This chapter contains interviews with Dr Maha Barakat, Director-General, Health Authority – Abu Dhabi; and Dr Matar Al Darmaki, Acting CEO, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

The expansion of medical coverage has seen an uptick in the provision of health care services
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The health sector in Abu Dhabi has expanded rapidly on the back of a mandatory medical insurance scheme and a number of new hospital projects aimed at improving specialty and emergency care in the emirate, which could reduce medical revenue outflows that have had a negative impact on domestic growth. Private developers have had a great deal of success under the government’s health investment plan, which has seen steady growth in the number of beds and doctors, as well as basic health indicators. Nonetheless,…

Interview

Dr Maha Barakat, Director-General, Health Authority – Abu Dhabi (HAAD): Interview
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Interview:Dr Maha Barakat What is being done to address capacity gaps? MAHA BARAKAT: Improving the availability and access to a full spectrum of health care services across the entire emirate is a key priority. We have developed both the “Health Statistics” reports and the Capacity Master Plan, which use data to identify capacity gaps, enabling us to determine how best to fill them – be it through private or public sector investment – and avoid any duplication of efforts. Ultimately,…

Interview

Dr Matar Al Darmaki, Acting CEO, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA): Interview
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Interview:Dr Matar Al Darmaki As demand for in-patient services continues to grow, to what extent is the sector’s expansion adequately addressing the need for additional services? MATAR AL DARMAKI: At SEHA, we evaluate the services being offered to patients on three levels; primary, secondary and tertiary. We can then effectively determine where services need to be expanded to meet the needs of the market. To date, SEHA has more than 62 primary care centres, more than adequately meeting…

Analysis

The expansion of medical coverage has seen an uptick in the provision of health care services
OBG
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Private expansion represents a critical means by which growing patient needs in Abu Dhabi can be met, although the government has played an important investment role in the rollout of new hospitals. Facilities including Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, Healthpoint and Tawam Molecular Imaging Centre all stand as examples of successful partnerships between Mubadala Healthcare, the health care arm of the state-owned investment firm, Mubadala Development Company, and…

Analysis

The expansion of medical coverage has seen an uptick in the provision of health care services
OBG
plus

Private expansion represents a critical means by which growing patient needs in Abu Dhabi can be met, although the government has played an important investment role in the rollout of new hospitals. Facilities including Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, Healthpoint and Tawam Molecular Imaging Centre all stand as examples of successful partnerships between Mubadala Healthcare, the health care arm of the state-owned investment firm, Mubadala Development Company, and…