Country Profile: United Arab Emirates

Overview

President: Khalifa Bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan
Head of Government: Prime Minister Vice President Muhammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Capital: Abu Dhabi
Federation of Monarchies
Currency: UAE Dirham
Dialling Code +971
Regulatory Body: DHA Dubai Health Authority, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company SEHA, MOH Ministry of Health, Ministry of presidential affairs.
Religion Hanbali Islam 62% Hindu 21%

Healthcare

The UAE healthcare sector appears to be following a path like that seen at a regional level. From 2013 to 2017, the number of hospitals in the emirates has grown from 107 to 137. As of 2017, this comprises a total of approximately 13,200 hospital beds, representing a CAGR of 4.8% in that period. Similar to the expenditure pattern across the GCC, there is a predominance of government related expenditure. In 2018, the UAE government contributed 66% of the country’s total healthcare spending of USD 15 billion. Going forward the private sector is expected to witness stronger growth.

The Job

The UAE has an evolving healthcare market, it started itself modelled against the UK with governance and outcomes looking to emulate ours. Given their change of insurance provision in 2018 they have changed into a system that looks more like that of the US. Whilst it is still free at the point of care for the indigenous population expatriates need to have private healthcare meaning there is a large and growing private sector.

Life outside the hospital

There is little doubt that Dubai has an excellent quality of life available to expats. With no direct taxes, shopping and indeed a lifestyle that is very attractive has placed it as one of the most desirable places to live in the world. With a very large expatriate population the UAE is superficially the most liberal nation in the region allowing for a lifestyle that will resemble that of living in London or New York if you are a western Expatriate.

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