Job Discussion Forums

[Noor]

Most would go abroad for medical treatment

Jonathan Gornall and Mitya Underwood
August 8. 2009 6:23PM GMT
The National

More than 70 per cent of UAE residents would seek medical treatment overseas if they fell seriously ill, according to a survey that reveals a widespread lack of confidence in the nation�s healthcare system.

Even Emiratis showed little faith in it, with 57 per cent saying they would seek treatment abroad.

Only 21 per cent of all respondents would put their faith in UAE healthcare if they became seriously ill, according to the survey, carried out from July 24 to 28 for The National by YouGov, an international research organisation.

More than half (53 per cent) of the 876 people asked said they would prefer to return to their home countries for treatment, while 18 per cent said they would seek treatment in other countries.

Analysis of responses by national groups suggests that this lack of confidence might be based on more than mere perceptions or prejudices; although a high proportion of Asians (71 per cent), westerners (57 per cent) and Arab expatriates (42 per cent) opted for leaving for treatment in their home countries � an option not open to Emiratis � only 26 per cent of UAE nationals said they would be happy receiving treatment here.

A similar proportion of Arab (27 per cent) and western (24 per cent) expatriates said they would elect to be treated here for serious illnesses, but only 15 per cent of Asians said the same.

Dr Fatma Abdulla, a fellow at the Dubai School of Government, said the healthcare sector had only itself to blame for the lack of confidence.

Health care had become a consumer industry, she said, and suppliers had to start focusing more on giving patients the best possible personal care.

�Customer focus is completely non-existent here,� she said. �You now have a very sophisticated, informed consumer, who wants the best.

�Here, healthcare providers have stuck to the old model of �We know what is best for you�. They treat you like you don�t know anything.�

Although cost was a consideration for 20 per cent of respondents who would seek treatment abroad, the overwhelming reasons were better medical expertise (33 per cent) and a lack of trust in the UAE healthcare system (25 per cent).

Again, at 40 and 33 per cent, Emiratis topped these categories.

A high proportion of respondents (45pc) said that either their friends and family in the UAE or they themselves (13pc) had travelled abroad for medical care, including surgery.

The main proportion of respondents who had travelled for treatment were westerners � 27 per cent.

Destinations for such medical tourism varied, largely according to nationality. India was the most popular, with 57 per cent of those who had gone abroad for treatment, or whose friends of family had done so, saying it had been a destination.

Thailand was the top destination for Emiratis (64 per cent). For western expatriates, the UK was the top choice for 61 per cent. Thailand and the US attracted 17 per cent each.

In November, the Ministry of Health announced that a ratings system for doctors and hospitals would be introduced as part of a drive to make the UAE a destination for medical tourism. At the same time, Dubai�s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing predicted that more than 11 million people would visit the UAE for treatment between then and 2010.

The National survey, however, reveals scepticism about the plan. Respondents were asked how well equipped they felt the UAE was to tap into the medical tourism market now or in the near future. Less than a third believed it was well equipped to do so; 28 per cent thought it was not well equipped and 19 per cent felt it was not at all ready.

The biggest vote of confidence came from Emiratis � although there were also the group most likely to travel elsewhere for treatment.

[allyp]

I always take out quite expensive health cover that allows for repatriation for serious health issues. Although working in the UAE, employers do have to supply health cover, usually Daman, they get to choose at what level and in the past they have refused me the choice of paying more to upgrade from local coverage to international or even pay more to include dental cover.
As for trusting the system, a visit to my local hospital in the last year for antibiotics to clear up something simple like a toenail infection did not inspire confidence. Outdated bureacratic procedures, a hospital that was clearly in a state of disrepair and shabby, if not dirty, a doctor from the sub-continent whose medical qualifications are at what standard compared to the west, nursing staff from asia, again at what standard are their qualifications gained, did not inspire confidence.
Working in education I have gained an understanding of just how unqualified some of the teachers and even more so the principals are in national schools and the UAE finds this acceptable.
I understand the UAE is a developing country and are addressing concerns in education and probably those in health as well but if I was to be involved in an accident or have a major health scare, I would want a system I know is 'world standard' not one in the midst of trying to work towards that aim.

[ckhl]

One caveat.....The American Hospital in Dubai has accreditation by the Joint Commission, which is what hospitals wordwide generally seek if they wish to profit from medical tourism. Their departments of internal medicine and surgery (including laparoscopic surgery) are of a high standard.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Secend caveat: Sheikh Khalifa Medical City/Centre/Center is run by the Cleveland Clinic...nuttin' to sniff at...

NCTBA

[tmac-100]

I have had excellent treatment at Welcare hospital and at another similar hospital in Dubal. I fact when my son tore his ACL in Canada and was put into the Canadian "line up" awaiting treatment in Canada, I was quite prepared to fly him to Dubai for surgery.... As it turned out he got in earlier in Canada because of cancellations. But me? I still get excellent treatment in Dubai. PM me if necessary.

[Zoot]

Due in no small part I would argue to these trips and treatment being paid for when the appropriate treatment can't be accessed in the UAE and also to having the money to seek it when it's not paid for by the Shaikh/s.

[tmac-100]

[Zoot]

"Emiratis showed little faith in it, with 57 per cent saying they would seek treatment abroad"

I was referring to the Emirati population - not the expatriate. Does that help?

[veiledsentiments]

Yes, they are very generous about sending Emiratis abroad for treatment. If they have cancer, they almost all go abroad. But, if an expat gets cancer, they only have access to the local treatment... and if you survive, don't expect your contract to be renewed.

BTW... India has an outstanding cancer hospital where both Gulf residents and expats have gone.

VS

[tmac-100]

[veiledsentiments]

[tmac-100]

[veiledsentiments]

What is your point? Are you saying that we shouldn't be treated as per their contract? Are you saying that because we are expats we don't deserve to have our contracts honored? So, if a teacher has a heart attack in the classroom, they should just let him lie there and die... after all, he is not Emirati or Omani or Kuwaiti... (rather like they do treat the construction workers who don't have the same contracts as these countries have to give professional educators in order to get them to come and teach.)

I used their health systems in all the countries that I worked in and found them to be efficient and as per my contract, everything was covered up to and including major surgery.

What I can't figure out is what you are getting all huffy about... yes, I was very much entitled to the treatment I received because it was in the contract and if it wasn't, I wouldn't have been there. They chose me to work there.

VS
(as I said... whatever happens or doesn't happen in the US or UK is irrelevant...)

[tmac-100]

Yawn - have a nice day. If you are taking prescribed meds, KEEP taking them. If not, then, as a USA-based "social icon stated", "Don't have a cow..." Byeeeeee.

No need to keep discussing this and further, nor peeing into the wind I'll be back in the UAE shortly and will avail myself of any medical treatments that I will need/be "forced" to take. I just hope I stay healthy while in the UK, since my passport is stamped with.....

[johnslat]

I've always liked the term the Catholic Church uses - invincible ignorance.
Too bad, though, that there are so many occasions to use it.