In safe hands

With the number of Abu Dhabi residents having grown rapidly in recent years, the capital has evolved into a medical hub. As eminent health care providers realise the sector is a burgeoning investment opportunity, the emirate is attracting a host of leading names.

Imperial College London Diabetes Centre and the 360-bed multi-speciality hospital, Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi, are just two of the facilities Mubadala Healthcare has joined forces with recently. While Mubadala Development Company, the public joint stock company, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, focuses on developing and managing its economically diverse portfolio of commercial initiatives, its health care division is expanding rapidly.

Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) introduced compulsory health care insurance in 2006 and this has had an impact on the growth of the sector, as Mark Erhart, Executive Director, Mubadala Healthcare, explains. "The introduction of compulsory health insurance has opened, and will continue to open, the market to world-class private health care providers. Mubadala Healthcare has already partnered with world-renowned medical institutions — such as Imperial College London, Johns Hopkins Medicine International and Cleveland Clinic — to bring the highest international standards of health care to the region. Our goal, supported by these regulatory changes, is to stimulate the development of a robust private health care infrastructure for the region."

With the advent of these first-class facilities comes the need for a host of side industries, such as automated services for maintaining medical records, and additional laboratories.

At Itqan, the leading system integrator in the region, the perpetual upgrade in health care means it is in constant demand. Projects commissioned have included IT solutions at the 163-bed Al Rahba Hospital and the implementation of mobile computing for > the hospitals governed by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA). At Mubadala Healthcare, it is also developing the industry, courtesy of the National Reference Lab (NRL), located in the Mussafah area of Abu Dhabi.

Erhart says, "Currently, a large number of laboratory samples are sent abroad for testing. Our goal is to develop the infrastructure and expertise in the UAE that will help reduce test turnaround times and associated costs, as well as delays to critical diagnoses and subsequent treatment for patients.

"Our reference laboratory project, NRL, has recently completed a first-phase lab in Dubai and will complete the main Abu Dhabi hub this year. It is an initiative to provide College of American Pathologist-accredited reference laboratory services in the UAE. We have entered into a long-term agreement with Laboratory Corporation of America — one of the world's largest and most experienced clinical laboratory companies — to develop and manage NRL."

ETA Star Healthcare LLC also has big plans for Abu Dhabi. Through its three divisions — Star Trivitron, Star Metropolis and Hospital Management and Consultancy — it has successfully contributed to health care services in Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah. The next objective for the group is to take forward its accomplishments in Abu Dhabi.

ETA Star Healthcare has formed a joint venture with Sonnenhof Swiss Health to provide turnkey hospital solutions, which plans to set up at least two hospitals in Abu Dhabi in the next five years. "With the Abu Dhabi market growing at a tremendous pace, Star Trivitron aims to be the major solution provider for these projects, ensuring its presence is established by highlighting its manufacturers/partners and emphasising customer service and satisfaction," says Raza Siddiqui, Executive Director, Star Trivitron.

The expansion of the health care industry means the demand for qualified staff also increases, in all areas. Deborah O'Leary, Senior Business Director for HCL (formerly Healthcare Locums) says, "Long-term economic growth prospects for the Abu Dhabi health care market are excellent. There has been a huge investment in health facilities and in raising the quality of health care provision in recent years. The introduction of compulsory health care insurance has contributed to this trend. We think that this reform, coupled with a growing population in the region and increasing patient demand, means that Abu Dhabi's health sector will continue to be an attractive investment and market opportunity for providers in the region."

Another key role in the development of the health care industry has been the announcement that National Health Insurance Company, Daman, has given up its exclusivity rights for direct billing within SEHA's health care facilities from February. Zaid Al Siksek, Chief Executive Officer, HAAD, says, "This decision demonstrates Daman's concern for the community's well-being. As the industry regulator, it is one of our key objectives to ensure that all residents of the emirate benefit from the best health care solutions."

Bullish outlook

It certainly seems this is a period of change for the health care profession in Abu Dhabi. Rami Kaddoura, Executive Vice-President and COO, Gulf Diagnostic Center Hospital, feels bullish about the future. "As the market continues to expand, the increase in providers should benefit the community by increasing standards and choice. We have provided health care since 1996 but continue to invest in the latest technology and to recruit highly qualified medical professionals to maintain our strong position in the market."

As new companies move in, the competition is heating up, but with a barrage of opportunities, it appears there will be enough profitability for everyone to succeed and for the health of the capital's residents to be in good hands.