Health

The health sector in Abu Dhabi has expanded rapidly on the back of a mandatory medical insurance scheme, while the sector has also been driven by population growth, rising health awareness and an increasing incidence of lifestyle-related diseases. Government health care expenditure nearly doubled between 2007 and 2012 to reach over $12bn that year, with government spending comprising 3.3% of total GDP, the highest ratio in the GCC. Human resource shortages will present a challenge to the emirate, with estimates suggesting that Abu Dhabi will require an additional 1600- 4800 doctors by 2022. Such challenges, though serious, have nonetheless opened considerable opportunities for expansion for health care providers in the emirate.

This chapter contains interviews with Dr Maha Barakat, Director-General, Health Authority - Abu Dhabi; and Dr Matar Al Darmaki, Acting CEO, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company.