Health

With more physicians per head than the UK and a lower mortality rate for children under five than the US, Dubai can boast of a world-class health care system by some measures. However, in the face of rapid population growth and the quest for a more comprehensive offering of clinical specialities, much is left to be done in Dubai’s health care system. As of the first quarter of 2015, health officials said 18 private hospitals were under construction, and it has been predicted that if the pace of growth in the commercial health sector is maintained, an additional 1500 beds will be required by 2020. In September 2016 Dubai will welcome its first co-educational cohort of students to a new university medical college. The year will also mark the final stage of the introduction of the emirate’s mandatory health insurance scheme. This chapter contains an interview with Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, Chairperson, Dubai Healthcare City Authority; and Humaid Al Qatami, Chairman and Director-General, Dubai Health Authority (DHA).