Sector 'will undergo revamp to regain trust'

Dubai: The government is addressing the dissatisfaction Emiratis and residents feel about the healthcare system by passing several laws expected by the end of the year, said Humaid Mohammad Obaid Al Qutami, Minister of Health.

"Laws and regulations are coming soon that will help to improve the people's trust in us. We will have laws on medical responsibility, patient rights, and medical standards and protocols for all hospitals," he said.

According to Al Qutami, a new medical ethics law is also in the plans, which will detail the ethical responsibilities of medical personnel and their required actions in the face of emergencies and other medical scenarios.

Building trust

"The new laws and regulations will help us, not only to build trust, but also make the UAE a health tourism destination," he added.

Beginning this year, the UAE has redoubled efforts to improve healthcare and medical services in the country, unveiling health strategies for Dubai and the country.

Among the improvements are building more hospitals, adding more specialties, strengthening training and expertise, decentralising hospital administration, unifying health policies, improving coordination between various health authorities and ensuring universal health insurance for UAE nationals and residents.

It has also started a healthcare free-zone, Dubai Healthcare City that has managed to attract high-profile names in healthcare such as Mayo Clinic, Moorfield's Eye Hospital and Harvard Medical School-Dubai Centre.

Restructuring

The restructuring of the healthcare system is expected to take five years, but Al Qutami does not believe it will take that long to win back people's trust.

"People need to cooperate as well. They have to change the culture of mistrust and we have to improve the treatment. I think it will take three years to regain the trust," he said.

Till then, the UAE has no choice but to continue sending their citizens abroad, like Thailand, for medical treatment or expertise that are otherwise not available.