Repose Variation in Healthcare System in Middle East

A research and teaching institution focusing on public policy in the Arab world, in conjunction with the Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research (DHFMR), a member of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Academic Medical Centre (AMC), organized a one-day conference on healthcare challenges in the GCC region.

Held on 19 November, the conference focused on the increasing demand for accessible quality healthcare, developing and sustaining a highly-trained and specialized workforce, addressing the challenge of rising healthcare costs, and the regional upsurge in preventable chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

The event also sought to identify policy and research priorities that can be addressed at the country and regional levels.

The day-long conference drew an elite panel of industry experts including Dr. Barbara McNeil – Chair, Department of Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School (USA); Dr. Tawfiq Al Khoja -Director of General Council for Health Ministers GCC; Dr. Kazem Behbehani – Director General Dasman Institute in Kuwait, and Dr. Sultan Al Sedairy – Principal Scientist and Executive Director, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center – Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Ajay Singh, Chief Academic Officer, Harvard Medical School Dubai Center (HMSDC), said:
“Countries in the GCC region face diverse healthcare issues by virtue of their unique social and economic circumstances. But the region is united in the growing concern over increased demand for healthcare services, escalating costs, and the rise in the incidence of diseases. We are confident this conference has shed light on ways to face these challenges and provide guidance for obtaining solutions to best address them.”

Dr. Tarik Yousef, Dean of the Dubai School of Government said, “Healthcare policy development is an important issue that requires constant research and reform to ensure the sector’s positive growth and development. The Dubai School of Government offers a crucial platform for industry veterans to convene and discuss key regional issues. We are delighted to host leaders in the medical field whose input will help shape the future of healthcare in the region.”

The conference also discussed the role of privatisation and health insurance in meeting the challenges of the epidemic-scale sicknesses, issues of workforce quantity and quality, creation of regulatory standards that govern entry into medical practice and continued competence, as well as whether the regulatory standards are enough to create a strong healthcare workforce or if additional steps would be needed.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Academic Medical Center (AMC), with the integration of its entities, University Hospital – a 400 bed Teaching Hospital, Harvard Medical School Dubai Center Institute for Postgraduate Education and Research, Al Maktoum Harvard Medical Library, Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research, and Boston University Institute for Dental Research and Education-Dubai is a valuable community asset that aims to improve the health status of families in the emirates and the region and serve as a catalyst to healthcare advancements.

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