Healthcare Policies in GCC: Challenges and Future Directions: Health Care in GCC Healthcare Policies in GCC: Challenges and Future Directions:

The main objective The main objective is to explore the healthcare policies in GCC countries, challenges facing healthcare systems in the region, and future directions for such systems .Outcomes of this chapter will help decision-makers in the region’s healthcare sectors to better understand and develop appropriate healthcare policies.

Health care demand in the GCC is undergoing fundamental changes GCC healthcare spending to reach $44bn by 2015 Health care spending US $ 60 billion in 2025 To realign health care systems to treat the disorders of affluence. Govt inability: not equipped to manage. Hence, Private sector cooperation Subsidize private sector

Driving factors for health care demand 1) Population growth: CAGR, 3%, by 2025 twice 2) Aging population: more expensive 3) Health risk factors: type 2 diabetes, obesity The model projects the following 1) Treatment demand: rise by240% 2025 2) Hospital beds: 162,000 hospital beds 3) Cost: increase 5 times by 2025 ($60 billion)

Growth in Diabetes and Affected Population in GCC (in ‘000) during 2000 to 2030, Source WHO

GCC – Growing and ageing population, Source: The World Bank

Lifestyle ailments The recent shift in lifestyle and rising per capita incomes have led to the consumption of unbalanced diets and a more luxury lifestyle in the GCC, prevalence of lifestyle ailments such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The UAE ranks second highest in the world for diabetes prevalence (20-25 percent), followed by Saudi Arabia (16.7 percent), Bahrain (15.2 percent) and Kuwait (14.4 percent), according to the International Diabetes Federation. The average treatment cost in the case of lifestyle-related ailments is higher than other hospitalized cases.

Govt Vs Private health care Better care. where? Public care free Need many more private health care. Why?

Opportunities for Private sector players 1) Health care delivery: to bring private to manage public are facilities. 2) Health Insurance: to purchase private health insurance for expatriates 3)Support services: opportunities for IT to establish systems to report clinical quality and financial data.

Challenges for private sectors players 1) Lack of systematic channels &referral system 2)Right clinical staff 3)Agreeing on sufficient reimbursements. To design basic health benefit packages 4)Quality standards: set of operational quality and facility stds. 5) To manage public facilities (Govt. contract)

OMAN: health care One of the most advanced health care nations. US $ 2 billion by 2015 Increased health care insurance 2011-12 budget: $ 870 million. (14.2% increase) Now Govt. operates the key hospitals. Plan to develop Health care city in Muscat. ($ 774million) to attract medical tourists from West and Arab countries.