Healthcare System in the UAE

The healthcare system in the UAE is vital to the country's survival. Because of this, the government has set a goal of enhancing the current cutting-edge healthcare infrastructure in the coming years.

The quality of healthcare in the UAE is so high that 337,011 people travelled there specifically to get treatment in Dubai alone in 2017. Health care in the United Arab Emirates is covered in detail here.

In-Depth Analysis of UAE Healthcare

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has some of the best healthcare in the world. In reality, there are 181 medical professionals serving every 100,000 people. More specifically, in 2018, the healthcare sales in the nation amounted to AED 12.1 million, a growth of 5.5% over the previous year.

Orthopaedics, exercise physiology, cosmetics, dentistry, and fertility therapy are among the most popular specialties for international patients seeking medical care. The cost of both public and private healthcare options varies by immigrant status.

Medical treatment in the United Arab Emirates

Healthcare in the nation is managed by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), while individual Emirates have their own health authorities. There has been a rapid expansion of healthcare services. The most recent data (collected between 2012 and 2017) reveals that the amount of MDs and DOs almost doubled, while the number of pharmacists increased by a factor of four.

Healthcare facilities

The expansion of healthcare services has necessitated the construction of cutting-edge clinics and hospitals. Also, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has attracted a large number of highly trained medical professionals from all over the globe. Medical tourism is booming in the nation, and it's likely due to the exceptional level of treatment provided there.

  • By 2020, it is expected that half a million individuals would visit Dubai annually for medical services.
  • Private medical care is often the first choice of expats.
  • The local medical community often speaks only English.
  • They have received their education back in their native countries, but have chosen to live abroad.
  • Those who do not qualify for UAE residency status may still get medical treatment.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) provides universal healthcare coverage, however non-citizens will pay a premium for private medical services. To get the same 50% discounts on health services as UAE natives, visitors may register for the national public health insurance via MOHAP. This, however, will set you back AED 500 and is only accepted at a few clinics.

Healthcare costs in the UAE

The federal government and individual emirates are equally responsible for enforcing laws on healthcare. In 2018, healthcare spending was estimated to be AED 50.3 billion, or 3.4% of GDP; this year, experts predict it will climb to AED 53 billion. Tax revenues are used for this purpose (despite the fact that income tax is not levied in the UAE).

Institutions charged with maintaining order

Healthcare in the United Arab Emirates is governed by four separate agencies:

  • The Health and Prevention Ministry (MOHAP).
  • Emirates Health Authority (EHA)\sHealth.
  • Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD).
  • The Health Department of Dubai (DHA).

Among the first things to find out before moving to the UAE is how the healthcare and medical insurance work there. Those considering a move to a Gulf nation may rest easy knowing that medical treatment is of a high standard.

The healthcare system in the UAE is modern and of a high grade. The United Arab Emirates' healthcare system is very effective, placing in the world's top 10 in 2018. Both residents and foreigners have easy access to high-quality, contemporary medical care. Top-notch medical treatment is available in both private and public facilities. Private medical facilities, however, are often preferred by expats since their English-speaking patients feel more comfortable there.

As with other things in the United Arab Emirates, the quality of medical care increases with the price. Citizens of the United Arab Emirates have access to low-cost or free healthcare at the country's public hospitals and clinics. An additional cost is required for foreign nationals to have access to public health care facilities including hospitals and clinics.

Facts based on Healthcare in UAE

  • Most foreigners choose to settle in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai out of the seven emirates. The standard of medical treatment in these emirates is unparalleled. Medical tourism to Dubai is becoming popular due to the city's renowned excellence in healthcare. Patients from all around the world are travelling to a city-state for medical care, a phenomenon known as "medical tourism." In 2016, 326,649 people travelled to Dubai to seek medical care. As 2020 draws to a close, experts anticipate that this figure will have surpassed half a million.
  • Orthopaedics, dermatology, and ophthalmology are the three most in-demand medical subspecialties. Cosmetic, dental, and reproductive health services in Dubai are also well regarded.
  • These days, private hospitals and clinics are far more common than public ones.
  • Your employer in Abu Dhabi must offer medical coverage to you and your family. One partner and a maximum of three children under 18 are considered dependents. The worker is responsible for paying for their own family's health insurance if they have a fourth kid.
  • Only obligatory employee coverage requirements exist in Dubai. The government of Dubai recommends that employers give healthcare insurance to their workers and their dependents.
  • Everyone living in Dubai or Abu Dhabi must have health insurance, regardless of employment status. Uninsured individuals are subject to a monthly fee of 500 AED (about $136 USD) as of 2015. Expats won't have any trouble obtaining a residency visa if they can show they have medical coverage.
  • It is not required by law for companies to offer health insurance to workers in the north emirates of Ajman, Ras Al-Khaimah, Sharjah, Fujairah, and Umm Al-Quwain.

In order to cope up with the advanced healthcare facilities, companies require top-notch applications and softwares. SISGAIN is a well known company for providing healthcare and telemedicine services in UAE.

Amina Sultan

Amina Sultan is the author of Wall Street Journal bestseller Everybody Writes: Your go to Guide to creating Ridiculously Good Content. She is the Chief Content Officer of SISGAIN; a Entrepreneur magazine; a Linkedin Influencer; a keynote speaker and technical writer.