Where does the UAE stand in terms of global health care?

The UAE has been famous for the excellence of its health facilities, which in the past decade has led to an increase in medical tourism. There is an estimated 181 doctor per 100,000 residents in the healthcare system. While ex-pats in the Gulf country benefit from the excellent medical standards, health care for non-residents is higher than that for UAE citizens.

Overview of healthcare in the UAE

The United Arab Emirates' health care system is essential for the country. So much so that, by 2021, the government aims to upgrade the current state-of-the-art infrastructure for healthcare.

Healthcare in the UAE is such a fantastic thing that, last year, there were 337 011 medical tourists — for Dubai alone. 

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) is responsible for the supervision of healthcare in the country, although in every emirat a health authority is generally responsible for healthcare. Health care supplies have increased rapidly. Indeed, recent (2012-17) figures reveal that the number of doctors/dentists has virtually doubled and that there had been a four-fold increase in doctor's numbers.

Does Dubai have good healthcare?

With the increasing supply of medical treatment, the latest centers and amenities are in existence. Quality health workers from all around the world have also come to the UAE to deliver top-class treatment. Medical tourism is likely to thrive in the country due to the excellent quality of healthcare. Take Dubai for instance, with 500,000 people traveling annually to Dubai by 2020 for healthcare.

Expats tend to choose public health over private healthcare. Medics tend to speak English to everyone here. Indeed, after finishing their training in their native country, many of them are ex-pats themselves.

Who has access to healthcare in the UAE?

Anyone in the UAE may get healthcare, although private treatment is expensive if you're not a citizen. The MOHAP may provide ex-pats the same 50 percent discount on health care services as the UAE residents for national public health cards. But this costs AED 500 and permits only a modest number of installations to be treated.

Does the UAE have free healthcare?

No. The UAE does not provide free healthcare.

Medical health care is of a high level here, and some of the greatest hospitals in the world, as well as the best healthcare personnel, medical equipment, and facilities are all widely accessible. And you get what you pay for in terms of hospital treatment and services.

Where does UAE healthcare rank?

In the World Index of Healthcare Innovation, the United Arab Emirates placed 22nd with a total score of 44.68. The UAE's low debt-to-GDP ratient of 19.7 percent and low public expenditure growth was the highest in Fiscal Sustainability (# 4, 72.61).

What are the health problems in UAE?

The health concerns facing UAE citizens have changed during the previous few decades. According to the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), a number of cardiac illnesses were among the most frequent conditions back in the 1990s, followed by injuries and afterward depression. The sequence of these has altered during the last two decades, followed by depression and heart injury.

1. Depression

In the UAE, over 18% of the population is depressed. Due to the stress of a contemporary way of life, the epidemiological health problems grade higher on the diagram. Feeling powerless, forlorn, and weary, losing interest in friends, violent behavior, courtesy, sleep-like shift, rapid irritation, and negative thoughts are some of the indications of depression.

2. Injury

Injuries are the second most prevalent cause, usually leading to death or disability, of medical issues in the UAE. Between 2000 and 2008 around 1,120 people died in the UAE, mostly due to accidents on the roads, drowning, or drowning. Injury accounted for 17% of the total fatalities in the UAE in 2010, according to a report. Injuries are also a significant cause of financial loss.

3. Heart conditions

Over the years, due to the change from semi-nomadic living to an urbanized society, there has been a considerable increase in the number of cases connected to cardiovascular illnesses. WHO reports that there is the greatest rise in cardiovascular cases in the Eastern Mediterranean region. In the UAE, cardiovascular patients survive for about 15 years shorter than in the West. The area has the greatest death rate of around 309 people per 100 000 men and 204 women per 100 000 women owing to cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular conditions include obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and smoking.

Which insurance is best for health in Dubai?

For anybody in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, health insurance is required, although the northern emirates are not presently covering this.

Depending on your financial position, where you reside in and your work, your health insurance coverage will depend on what sort of cover you want. International health insurers in the United Arab Emirates are currently operating:

The leading Health Care Insurance Companies in Dubai are,

• Cigna Global
• Morgan Price (National Takaful Company PSC - Watania)
• Orient Insurance P.J.S.C
• Ras Al-Khaimah National Insurance Co. (P.S.C)
• Integra Global (Dubai Insurance)
• Axa Insurance (Gulf) B.S.C. (C) (Norwich)
• Metlife Alico
• National Life & General Insurance (NLGI)
• Aetna (Al Ain Ahlia Insurance)
• National Health Insurance Co (Daman)
• Dubai National Insurance & Reinsurance Co P.S.C. (DNIRC)
• Allianz (Orient Insurance PJSC)
• Oman Insurance Company & Bupa Global

How can I register for healthcare as an ex-pat in the UAE?

Expats in the UAE receive healthcare privately. They can't get a public health card – or in case of an emergency – unless they are in possession. If you desire to get a health card, you must however register with MOHAP.

Required documentation

The assisting documents necessary are:

• A personal photo on a white background
• Copy of valid passport
• EIDA Application/EIDA copy
• Family book copy for UAE citizen
• Valid residence visa or entry residence visa
• Those working at foreign consulates must submit a copy of their diplomatic passport, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs card, and a letter saying that they work at the consulate.

Employers are obligated by law to offer health insurance to their employees (and risk hefty penalties if they don't). As a result, it may be up to you to acquire supplemental insurance for your dependents, depending on your emirate.