Mohammad Addarwish, 41, was severely burned after coming into contact with live electricity wires. Addarwish, who cannot walk, was rushed to a number of hospitals in Beirut, including one with [...]]]>

Family members of a disabled man expressed disgust with Lebanon’s health care system after he was rejected by several hospitals because of a lack of insurance.

Mohammad Addarwish, 41, was severely burned after coming into contact with live electricity wires. Addarwish, who cannot walk, was rushed to a number of hospitals in Beirut, including one with a specialized burns unit, but was refused treatment after staff learned he did not have medical insurance.

Addarwish’s brother Hassan told The Daily Star he had spent over one hour trying to find a hospital that would provide treatment. “What can we do with him – do we throw him in the streets? He’s a human being,” Hassan shouted at a hospital in Beirut’s Achrafieh district. After a number of angry relatives gathered outside, the hospital provided first aid but was unable to keep him longer. Relatives made frantic and desperate phone calls to local politicians and hospitals, imploring them to find a way to treat Addarwish.

Although Lebanon has a reputation for having some of the best medical care facilities in the Arab world, there are huge disparities between public and private sector services. Some 1.5 million Lebanese covered by the National Social Security Fund are entitled to receive medical treatment, but many have complained of being denied treatment. With the costs of obtaining healthcare among the highest in the region, those without insurance or who cannot afford treatment find themselves in difficulty.

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Libyans are criticizing an April 4th government report that describes the country’s health care [...]]]>

Libya’s government spent $2 billion on health care in 2009, according to the Ministry of Health’s Information and Documentation Centre report. The country has 97 hospitals, 20,689 hospital beds, 40 CT scanners, 20 MRI machines, 9 angiography machines and 3 radiotherapy devices.

Libyans are criticizing an April 4th government report that describes the country’s health care as expansive and top-of-the-line.

“The health condition in Libya is awful, as shown by citizens who are forced to sell their cars and houses to receive treatment in neighbouring countries – not at the expense of the authority as mentioned in the report,” Sehim said.

A single hospital in Benghazi serves all of eastern Libya from Ras Lanuf to Ismaad, Sehim said -an area containing half of the country’s territory.

“These exaggerated figures are no more than a case of puffing up, to dispel the sense of failure,” he said.

The World Health Organization ranks Libya’s health system as 87th in the world, behind Tunisia (52nd), Morocco (29th) and Algeria (81st). It ranks ahead of Mauritania at 162nd place.

“The report doesn’t include anything about the quality of professional and educational courses that the doctors joined and the medical conferences that the medical institution they have effectively participated in,” said Journalist Adel Latrech.

The government avoids “evaluation in most of their sectors so as not to prove their shortcomings and hence be held accountable,” Latrech said.

The true measure of health quality, he said, lies with the numbers of Libyans who travel abroad for medical treatment — a trend that Libyan government officials try hard to spin positively, he said.

“Officials only comment by saying, ‘As to the travel of some people to receive treatment abroad, it doesn’t reflect a low or high level of the medical care. Rather, it shows how the citizens are keen on their health, and their financial capabilities to look for treatment elsewhere,’” Latrech added, quoting plastic surgeon Dr. Mustapha Zaidi.

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The CAM Department at The Dubai Mall Medical Centre offers a spectrum of treatment options that address specific patient profiles [...]]]>

The Dubai Mall Medical Centre, the flagship healthcare centre of the Emaar Healthcare Group and Methodist International partnership, has strengthened its portfolio of healthcare services with the opening of the Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) Department.

The CAM Department at The Dubai Mall Medical Centre offers a spectrum of treatment options that address specific patient profiles in addition to supporting the other departments by providing valuable lifestyle recommendations for patients.

Mr Omar Al Shunnar, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Healthcare Group, said “The opening of the CAM departments underlines our commitment to offer holistic treatment options for visitors, and underscores how we are leading the way in integrated medical care for the community. By integrating wellness treatments with modern treatments, patients benefit from an overall lifestyle modification that adds to their well-being.”

Dr Heather Eade, Naturopathic Medicine Practitioner, added: “Complementary & Alternative Medicine is gaining acceptance as a healthcare priority by healthcare organisations globally. CAM treatments are focused on preventative as well as corrective options, in tune with the individual needs of each patient. The value of CAM therapies, when integrated in a modern treatment centre, is immense as the focus is on healthcare options that promote and support the body’s natural healing processes.”

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Medical care is a key macro issue in the Gulf States, and in Saudi Arabia there is a well documented drive to manage dependence [...]]]>

Employee benefits are clearly becoming increasingly important elements of rewards packages a Mercer survey has found, with 75 percent of companies in KSA already offering employees protection for death and long-term disability.

Medical care is a key macro issue in the Gulf States, and in Saudi Arabia there is a well documented drive to manage dependence on public healthcare systems. The Kingdom has already implemented legislation that requires employers to purchase locally approved medical insurance for their employees and dependants under the Cooperative Health Insurance Law.

Mercer’s survey, which was carried out in Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries in July and August of 2009, shows that medical plans have become not only more common but that benefits included within plans are richer, with far more companies including benefits such as dental and maternity cover, both of which are up around 10 percent on 2007 levels. However, the increase in benefits provisions within plans coupled with increased claims is fuelling high medical plan premium inflation across the region – in the range of 10 percent to 15 percent per annum for many employers.

Callum Burns-Green, head of Mercer’s benefits consulting team in the Middle East commented that employers will need to consider proactive measures to address premium inflation if costs are to be controlled.

“The type of medical cost management that has become common in other markets such as the US, where employers take an active role in wellness initiatives to educate employees on the risks of certain lifestyle choices and facilitate access to health initiatives should be considered from the longer term perspective of reducing medical insurance claims and resulting premiums. Employers and their advisers will also need to get underneath claims data to be able to structure discussions with providers around whether certain levels of premium increases are justified for their employee groups.”

Flexible benefits are something that a number of employers are expressing interest in and this is another area that can potentially reduce employer costs.

“We would expect to start to see employers offer a core, compliant level of medical insurance with the facility for employees to top this up with higher levels of cover at their own cost. This type of employee choice can be applied across a range of benefits and is recognised in other markets as a tool for employers to control spends on rewards” said Mr Burns-Green.

Also highlighted in Mercer’s Saudi Arabia benefits survey was that 75 percent of companies offer protection benefits for employees that cover death, accidental death and long-term disability for all illnesses and injuries, regardless whether it was work-related or not.  Most plans provide a multiple of salary benefit, usually as a lump sum benefit and usually based on basic salary alone.

End of service benefits, otherwise known as termination indemnities or end of service gratuities, are usually payable to all employees immediately after termination.   In Saudi Arabia 10 to 20 percent of participants offer enhanced end of service benefits above the statutory minimum.

Mazen Abukhater, an actuary in Mercer’s benefits team commented that “the end of service benefit is not often a well communicated, well understood or well valued benefit by employees, especially expatriates, so enhancing it may not always be the most effective way for employers to direct Riyals on employee rewards”.

In terms of Mercer’s survey, 32 percent of companies across the GCC now say they offer some form of retirement benefit. Companies either provide the retirement benefit in addition to the mandatory end-of-service benefit or provide only the higher of the retirement plan benefit or the end-of-service benefit. Retirement Savings Plans offer employees access to group investment funds at a far reduced cost than is typically possible for individual investors.

In terms of the prevalence of other benefits, the most popular are annual airfares, settling in allowance, mobile phones and company cars. “It is not uncommon for employee benefits to represent over 10% of total employer expenditure on rewards” commented Mr Burns-Green. “It is important that employers review this to ensure that they are spending this money in ways that are understood and valued by employees”.

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The “Tempus IC” system allows cabin crew to gather vital information about a passenger’s health quickly and efficiently. The data covers a wide [...]]]>

Etihad Airways will install new state-of-the-art technology on its long and ultra long haul aircraft which can monitor the condition of passengers who display signs of sickness that might require immediate medical attention.

The “Tempus IC” system allows cabin crew to gather vital information about a passenger’s health quickly and efficiently. The data covers a wide range of the passenger’s ‘vital signs’ including blood pressure and an electrocardiogram. It also allows the crew to take photo imagery.

That information is then transmitted to a medical team of global experts specialised in assistance in in-flight medical contingencies. Following their advice the crew will take a decision about what to do next for the passenger and the flight.

Captain Richard Hill, Etihad Airways’ chief operations officer, said: “Passenger welfare and safety is of the utmost importance to Etihad Airwaysand the introduction of the Tempus IC system will ensure that when medical emergencies do occur they are evaluated quickly.

“This helps ensure that the passenger can receive the appropriate treatment when the aircraft lands, whether this is as a diversion or at its final destination.”

Etihad will introduce the Tempus IC technology, designed and manufactured by UK-based RDT, on its A340 and Boeing 777 aircraft and then subsequently across the remaining long and ultra long haul fleet.

Grahame Fever, Commercial Aviation Sales Director RDT, said: “We are delighted that Etihad has chosen RDT ‘s Tempus on-board telemedicine technology.

“We know from our existing Tempus customers and the in-flight trials with Etihad cabin crew that Tempus technology, with its unique ease-of-use help screens and features, makes a significant difference to quality and speed of on-board medical care.”

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The new hospital will built on the site where the current alternative medicine hospital is situated. A state-of-the art, fully equipped hospital [...]]]>

The Cabinet has approved the establishment of a new 300-bed capacity hospital for alternative medicine and rehabilitation at a total cost of KD 30 million, announced the Health Ministry Deputy Dr Ibraheem Al- Abdulhadi.

The new hospital will built on the site where the current alternative medicine hospital is situated. A state-of-the art, fully equipped hospital will replace the existing building. It will include a rehabilitation center for the disabled, senior citizens’ care centers among other facilities offered.

The hospital will also be connected to one of the most advanced international centers in the field of alternative medicine, said Al-Abdulhadi. It is expected to be ready within five years, reported Al-Qabas.

On a separate note, Al-Abdulhadi announced that the decision concerning the appointment of new directors for medical, technical divisions will be made soon, especially after the Ministry completes the process of electing the most qualified candidates for the posts in coordination with the regulations of the Civil Service Commission(CSC).

Meanwhile, Al-Abdulhadi addressed the issue of health insurance hospitals, stating that the project to establish these hospitals still await a decision made by the Cabinet before it is set up. These facilities are expected to provide citizens and residents with the best medical care services.

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The hospital, managed by VAMED and the Medical University of Vienna, owned and operated by SEHA, said in a statement that [...]]]>

Al Ain Hospital today announced the start of a renovation and expansion program of its Emergency Department, which will lead to the creation of a better, more efficient and reinforced modern 24/7 critical services centre.

The hospital, managed by VAMED and the Medical University of Vienna, owned and operated by SEHA, said in a statement that it anticipated reduced operational efficiency on February 4th  and 5th  2010, when the department will be moved to a temporary location. During these two days, patients are requested to consider other emergency facilities for treatment.

Mr. George Jepson – Al Ain Hospital CEO said, ” the redevelopment of the Emergency Medicine Department  was being undertaken as part of the healthcare entity’s vision to provide better and efficient services in critical care to the community.”

Commenting on the expansion, Professor Wilhelm Behringer, the Head of Emergency Department said: “The refurbishment of the existing department will lead to enhanced capacity and the centre will be made capable to handle cases with reinforced efficiency. The expansion program is extensive and in its entirety will take six to eight months to complete.”

Commenting on the project, Professor Gerhard Schwab – Medical Director of Al Ain Hospital aid “During the first two days of renovation, we anticipate reduced operational efficacy of emergency services, as the department will be moved to a temporary location. We request the patients to seek emergency medical care in other hospitals for the two days. The emergency services at Al Ain Hospital will resume as usual on the 6th of February. ”

“Our aim in redesigning the Emergency Department is to ensure improved patient flow and provide improvement treatment procedures,” added Prof. Schwab.

Al Ain’s Emergency Department  handles approximately  370 patients a day (130,000 patients a year). It has 27 emergency treatment beds, providing 24/7 care to the critically ill and injured. It treats patients from all the surrounding areas.

Cases treated at the Emergency Department include: pain management, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, orthopedic, genitourinary, gynecological, eye, ENT, metabolic, neurological, psychiatric, toxicological, trauma and burns cases.

The department also provides a fast track service for the treatment of less serious injuries.

The Emergency Department has a triage area, a minor trauma room, a cardiopulmonary resuscitation room, a paediatrics emergency area and a plaster room.

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The survey writes that 70% (about 4 million people each year) of Libyans came for medical care. Patients from sub-Saharan Africa, who represent [...]]]>

In a survey published in the French edition of the January-February issue, “African Business” reports that 250, 000 foreign patients came to Tunisia in 2009 for treatment, including from Libya, Algeria and sub-Saharan Africa.

The survey writes that 70% (about 4 million people each year) of Libyans came for medical care.
Patients from sub-Saharan Africa, who represent 12% of medical tourists in Tunisia come from Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Mali and Burundi.

Westerners, who represent 18%, come to Tunisia for cosmetic surgeries, including plastic surgery. 3, 000 European patients visited Tunisia in 2008.

Tunisia ‘s attraction as a medical tourism destination is explained by “the positioning of Tunisia which is close to the West, the high level of Tunisian plastic surgeons and the cost of surgery, which remain cheaper than in Europe”. For example “breast augmentation or liposuction account for 40 to 50% cheaper than in Europe” said the spokesman of the Tunisian Federation of Travel Agencies to “African Business”.

The survey adds that medical tourism, “a source of significant currency for Tunisia”, holds 5% of the country’s exports of services. It represents 24% of turnover of private clinics, amounting to 175 million Euros.

Patients spend on average 4000 Euros, whereas the standard tourist only spends 300 Euros.

Tunisia attracts an increasing number of British, Germans, Italians, French, Belgians, Swiss, Portuguese, and Spaniards. The number of foreign patients having been treated in private Tunisian clinics has witnessed an expotential growth in the last five years.

According to the International Medical Travel Journal (IMTJ), “Medical tourism in Tunisia has become the country’s second highest foreign currency earner, and the second largest employer. Most of the 8000 doctors were trained in Europe or America, so they meet Western standards. Prices are 40% to 60% less expensive than those in Western Europe, even allowing for a stay of one week. Its proximity to Europe makes Tunisia an attractive alternative to India and Thailand, for those who want to avoid long-haul flights”.

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