UAE -Dubai’s healthcare economic strategy, spearheaded by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), has garnered significant international recognition for its transparency and accessibility.
The latest accolades come from prestigious institutions such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), World Bank, and University of Hong Kong, in response to Dubai’s Health Accounts System for the Emirate of Dubai (HASD) report.
The tenth edition of the HASD report sheds light on the robustness and dynamism of Dubai’s healthcare insurance system, highlighting its sustainability, development, and substantial growth in healthcare spending.
According to the report, healthcare expenditure in the region reached Dh21.4 billion (US$ 7.56million) in 2022.
Dr. Sameh El-Saharty, Lead Health Policy Specialist for the MENA region at The World Bank, commended Dubai for establishing a national healthcare accounting system in 2012, setting a precedent for the GCC and the wider Middle East and North Africa region.
“Countries striving for comprehensive healthcare often find it easier to expand coverage to include new population groups or enhance service levels provided to their residents. However, improving financial protection is often the more challenging option to implement, covering nearly a third of global national health expenditures through individual spending,’’ he added.
He emphasized Dubai’s commitment to financial protection, noting a significant reduction in out-of-pocket spending on healthcare from 18% in 2015 to 10% in 2022.
This reduction alleviates the burden on individuals and enhances financial security for Dubai residents, aligning with global standards.
David Morgan, Head of Health Accounts at OECD, praised Dubai’s achievement in reducing out-of-pocket healthcare spending, which stands out compared to GCC and OECD countries.
“The Dubai Health Insurance Corporation, a subsidiary of the Authority, has succeeded – in collaboration with key stakeholders – in leveraging powerful tools such as household health surveys that meet international standards and definitions, detailed administrative data sources, and eClaimlink data to provide a comprehensive and accurate picture of the amount spent on healthcare, its source, and the types of goods and services spent on,” added David Morgan.
In 2022, according to a global survey by Ipsos, the UAE’s healthcare system earned acclaim from its residents, with 77 percent rating it as good or very good. This marked the second-highest rating among 34 countries surveyed.
The survey highlighted growing trust in the UAE’s healthcare infrastructure and policies, bolstered by successful initiatives such as the vaccination campaign against Covid-19.
Residents also praised the system’s accessibility and quality of services, affirming its status as one of the world’s best.
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