Dubai’s healthcare economic model, spearheaded by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), has garnered significant international recognition for its innovative approach to healthcare management and financial sustainability. Esteemed global institutions such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Bank, and the University of Hong Kong have praised Dubai’s Health Accounts System for the Emirate of Dubai (HASD), particularly its tenth edition report, for its excellence in healthcare funding, insurance sustainability, and expenditure growth.
A benchmark for the region
The HASD report has highlighted Dubai’s progressive and dynamic healthcare system, which saw healthcare expenditure in the emirate reach Dh21.4 billion in 2022. According to Sameh El-Saharty, Lead Health Policy Specialist for the MENA region at the World Bank, Dubai’s achievement in establishing a national healthcare accounting system at the emirate level back in 2012 was a first in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This pioneering initiative set a benchmark not only within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries but also across the broader MENA region.
El-Saharty explained that while many countries aim to expand healthcare coverage or enhance service levels, improving financial protection for residents remains a difficult challenge. “Improving financial protection is often the more challenging option to implement, covering nearly a third of global national health expenditures through individual spending,” he said. However, in Dubai’s case, there has been a remarkable reduction in out-of-pocket healthcare spending, from 18% in 2015 to just 10% in 2022. This significant decrease has lessened the financial burden on residents and strengthened Dubai’s healthcare safety net.
Global recognition for financial management
David Morgan, Head of Health Accounts at the OECD, highlighted Dubai’s unique achievement in maintaining one of the lowest out-of-pocket healthcare spending rates compared to other OECD and GCC countries. He noted, “Dubai’s healthcare system has evolved greatly in terms of funding and service provision,” particularly over the decade since the first healthcare accounting report was released in 2012.
Morgan praised DHA’s rigorous methods for monitoring and evaluating healthcare spending, emphasizing the importance of tracking regulatory changes and continuously assessing the performance of the system. According to him, DHA’s partnership with key stakeholders and its use of advanced tools—such as internationally standardized household health surveys and detailed data from administrative sources—has provided a comprehensive and accurate picture of healthcare spending and its sources in the emirate.
Methodology praised by experts
The healthcare accounting methodology employed by Dubai has been recognized by experts like Professor David Bishai, Director of the School of Public Health at the University of Hong Kong. Bishai commended DHA’s policy framework and its ability to track trends in healthcare expenditure, noting that the system provides valuable insights for policymakers. “National healthcare accounting has proven its value in tracking expenditure growth trends in the health sector, demonstrating its ability to assist analysts in analyzing types of services and beneficiary age groups,” Bishai remarked.
More Read
The HASD system has played a critical role in helping Dubai identify areas of cost growth and assess the impact of various healthcare policies on different demographic groups. This level of analysis is essential for ensuring that healthcare services remain responsive to both current and future needs.
Transforming Dubai’s healthcare landscape
Saleh Al Hashimi, CEO of Dubai Health Insurance Corporation at DHA, responded to the international accolades by emphasizing the ongoing transformation of Dubai’s healthcare system. “Dubai’s healthcare system is undergoing radical transformations not only in its management based on smart solutions and the latest technologies but also in the high-quality services it provides,” Al Hashimi said. He added that the system is continually evolving to meet the growing demand for healthcare services both within the UAE and globally.
Under DHA’s leadership, Dubai has positioned itself as a healthcare hub by integrating technology and smart solutions to improve service delivery. By leveraging data-driven insights and maintaining a focus on financial protection, the emirate is setting a new standard for healthcare management and sustainability.
Dubai’s Health Accounts System has solidified its position as a global leader in healthcare management, with international organizations recognizing the system’s effectiveness in reducing out-of-pocket expenses, tracking healthcare expenditures, and adapting to regulatory changes. As Dubai continues to embrace smart technologies and data-driven solutions, its healthcare model serves as an example for other regions striving for sustainable and comprehensive healthcare systems.
