Health
From The Report: Ras Al Khaimah 2012
View in Online Reader

As demand for medical treatment rises, the health care sector in RAK has to meet new demands and challenges. Population growth, which climbed to 8% between 2008 and 2010, has necessitated more health care investment and infrastructure upgrades. Indeed, health sector costs in the UAE have tripled in the past decade and, as RAK’s citizens have free access to medical care at public institutions, the government is paying for the bulk of this rise. Yet RAK is meeting these challenges, opening two new hospitals and implementing a number of health care facility upgrades. Moreover, RAK is positioning itself as a medical tourism centre. Hospitality and good care with low prices are key components. For example, a nationwide mandatory insurance programme is expected to take effect, redistributing health-related costs between the government and citizens. Steps are also being taken to increase the number of Emirati students studying medicine and nursing to reduce the labour shortage, and awareness campaigns are promoting the long-term benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Healthy expansion: Addressing a growing demand for services
OBG
plus

A rising population and changing lifestyle patterns are creating new challenges for Ras Al Khaimah’s health care industry. Increasing health care concerns are of great consequence to the government at both the federal and emirate level, and the situation requires greater participation from the private sector as well. New opportunities for the private sector alongside the government lie in the direct provision of health care services and in the rapidly developing health insurance segment. ORGANISATION:…

Analysis

Ready for the challenge: A revamped medical industry to address growing demand
OBG
plus

While the overall economy is currently benefitting significantly from an increase in expatriate companies that are operating out of Ras Al Khaimah, the emirate’s health care industry also stands to profit from the arrival of these newcomers. Rapid population growth, which climbed to 8% between 2008 and 2010 according to the RAK Department of Economic Development, encourages health care investment and infrastructure upgrades. At the same time, it places a great responsibility on the health…