Health

The health care industry has moved front and centre of the development agenda throughout the Gulf and wider Middle Eastern region. The industry’s resilience to the effects of the global economic crisis over the past two years has whetted the appetite of private investors, while governments are concerned about growing demographic pressure on social services.

Saudi Arabia’s insurance sector is set for changes in 2011 with the implementation of a law mandating health insurance for all private sector employees. While just one aspect of the rapid pace of change in the sector, the expansion is likely to create a deeper and wider presence for insurers in the Kingdom.

Malaysia plans to adopt an innovative approach to tackling the spread of dengue fever that could save hundreds of lives and cut massive losses to the economy caused by the mosquito-borne virus. However, some fear the proposed cure may be more harmful than the illness itself.

Thailand’s government and the country’s medical community are debating the proposed new legislation to provide comprehensive coverage to patients against medical malpractice. The state has said that the law would strengthen patients’ rights and reduce the time and money spent in litigation, while health professionals claim it would add to medical expenses and the workload of practitioners.

A rapidly growing population and an ongoing push to modernise and improve medical services mean investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi’s health care sector are on the rise.