According to Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA), UAE has ranked first in seven global health indices in 2019.

Report released by FCSA states that UAE was ranked first internationally in the “Low HIV Prevalence Index”, “National Early Detection Programmes Index”, “Low Rate of Health Problems Index”, “Health Care Coverage Index”, “Malnutrition Rate Index”. “Low Malaria Infection for Every 100,000 People Index” and “Prevalence of Stunting Among Children under 5 years of Age Index” which was issued in 2019 by Legatum Prosperity Index.

The outstanding performance of UAE in these global health indices are a reflection of country’s health care sector performance over last decades.

Aim in sight of the National Agenda of the UAE Vision 2021 is to establish a healthcare system in the country which is in accordance with the highest levels of international standards, along with prevention and reduction in rates of cancer and lifestyle related diseases like heart diseases and diabetes.

The agenda includes reduction in smoking prevalence and ensuring the preparedness of country for any future health crisis, making UAE the country with best healthcare quality by 2021.

UAE’s total federal budget in 2020 includes 8% for Healthcare and community prevention sector. With UAE experiencing health sector growing tremendously, the investments in this sector are projected to increase beyond by 300% over next decade.

Hospital beds are expected to increase to a total of 14,000 by end of 2020, as compared to 8000 in 2010.

UAE is also ranked number one in relation to accredited health facilities. This includes country’s hospitals of which roughly 85% are internationally accredited, as per the guidelines of Joint Commission International (JCI).

The recent faring of UAE during pandemic has got global confidence which is increasing exponentially, leading to the country becoming largest medical tourism destination globally. This generated revenue of AED 12.1 billion in 2018, which was an increase from 2017 by 5.5%.  

WAM