Overview
- The United Arab Emirate has a population of 3760000 as of 2004.
- The world health organization compiled a list of rankings for the world’s health care system.
- The UAE stands at 27 on the list.
The UAE Health Policy was formulated based on the following
- The regulations and analysis of the Heath care system
- A documented survey of the demand of health care systems in the UAE.
- The rate of mortality and morbidity in the UAE.
- Improvement of Health Care Services.
- The dynamics of the Health system in the UAE are gaining speed. The UAE is a destination for Health care tourism.
Evaluating the Health Care Systems in UAE
Primary Health Service Delivery System
The Health Indicators:
- Population [Millions] = 6.09;
- Death rate /1000 = 1.89;
- Infant mortality population/1000 = 5.4;
- Under 6 mortality rate = 4.4;
- Maternal morality/100000 births = 0.02;
- Number of primary health care providers = 230;
- Population per center = 58,800;
- Population per Doctor = 9,768;
- Population per nurse/Centre = 4,576.
Causes of Death:
- CDV = 43%;
- Accidents = 21%;
- Cancer = 8.9%;
- Health Anomalies = 8.6%.
Recommendations
The increase in CDV mortality is a sign of poor medical management. Government should improve the welfare of medical personnel. This will influence good service delivery.
The standard is bad and needs urgent improvement.
Workforce
- Technical = 27,609;
- Administrative = 4,985;
- Medical = 34,654;
- Non-Administrative = 23,445;
- Casual = 45,000.
Recommendations
- Medical personnel are lacking in the UAE. The quality of health care is affected by the number of medical personnel. The government should equip health care center with training materials needed to improve knowledge.
- The sector has performed poorly and needs improvement.
Leadership and Governance to Assure Quality
- Ministry of health control 112 Centers.
- General health services control 35 centers.
- Dubai Medical services control 25 centers.
Recommendations
This sector has a slow growth. Leadership and governance are two cardinal points for the effective HealthCare system. The centralization of power must change. Various health centers should carry out daily maintenance and control without consulting with the central authorities.
The sector needs improvement.
Supplying Medical Products and Technologies
- Government Agencies;
- Private Sector;
- International Aid;
- Public Sector.
Recommendations
The supply of medical products and technologies in the UAE is weak; the policies of the government and donor agencies are not closely monitored. Healthcare products and technologies do not reach intended targets.
The sector requires complete overhaul of its management for effective work.
Health Systems Financing
- Government subsidizes payment;
- Direct payments;
- International Aid support;
- Private Health Insurance;
- Social insurance scheme.
Recommendations
Due to its creativity, the UAE health financing systems need commendation. Government subsidizes health care payments and creates a favourable environment that supports private sector investment.
Foreign aid has complimented government efforts and the mechanism for finance management is effective.
Health Systems Information
- Health Information System Resources;
- Indicators;
- Data Resources;
- Data Management;
- Information Products;
- Dissemination and use.
Households
Broadly divided into three categories:
- Nationals: Live in rural settlements;
- Expatriate: Live in Urban areas;
- Single: Live in urban and rural settlements.
Recommendations
Government spending on health in urban centers is nine times higher than the spending in rural areas. This accounts for the disparity in population. Government needs to invest in rural settlements. This will create a balance in the population of rural settlements.
The sector is poorly managed, it needs improvement.
Comparison of UAE and U.S Healthcare System
A comparison can be established for a universal system. Healthcare is for all ages in the UAE, while in the US the minimum age for application is 55 years. In US government Monitors Medicare, while in the UAE Government Targets all sections of the population.
Conclusion
The rural population is more than the urban settlers. Government should shift attention from Health policies in Health management. Nationals should invest in Health care Industry.
In the UAE, the Central Government Health scheme targets government workers and their extended families while Medicare in the US targets low income citizens.
Health Insurance Scheme in the UAE targets low income citizens while in the US, the schemes targets senior citizens.
References
Jalal, S. (2011). Reviewing the UAE healthcare. Suryayor Press. Web.
Latham, W. (2013) HealthCare Systems in the UAE. Helb Educational Researcher, 19(8). Web.
Wathkins,P. (2012). Healthcare Regulation in the UAE. Helb Educational Survey. 34(13). Web.
Regional Health Systems Observatory. (2010). Health System profile in the UAE. United Arab Emirate: Author.