Question 1

Public vs. private care

Accepted Answer

The public healthcare system in Dubai is usually accessed by UAE nationals, while most expats turn to private healthcare and insurance providers. However, anyone working in the UAE, including expats, are eligible to apply online for a DHA health card via the DHA e-services portal, which provides access to care in government-run facilities.

The cost of treatment is usually much higher at private hospitals when compared to public ones, however, recent regulatory changes have reduced costs for specific treatments across the board.

Before booking an appointment at a hospital or clinic, it is advised to check with your insurance provider to confirm if they cover the desired care and services.

Question 2

Modern medical facilities

Accepted Answer

Dubai is home to some of the world’s best healthcare facilities, which include many globally renowned hospitals, outpatient medical centres and diagnostic laboratories such as:

The majority of private hospitals and medical centres in Dubai can be found in Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), the world’s largest medical free zone that hosts 160 clinical partners, hundreds of outpatient medical centres and diagnostic laboratories across 150+ specialties with licensed professionals from nearly 90 countries.

Several of the above-mentioned hospitals operate robotic surgery facilities utilising AI and other advanced technologies that are enhancing efficiency of healthcare systems and customising the patient experience.

Plans have been put in place to open Dubai’s first robotic biobank at the free zone in 2023. The state-of-the-art facility will store all types of human biological samples that can be used for medical research.

All of these advantages and developments have boosted Dubai’s appeal as a preferred medical tourism destination. Dubai received 630,000 international health tourists in 2021, of which 38 percent came from Asian countries, followed by Europe (22 percent) and GCC countries (22 percent), according to the DHA.

Question 3

Maternity care

Accepted Answer

If you’re thinking of starting or growing your family anytime soon, rest assured that Dubai offers plenty of modern maternity facilities and amenities. More often than not, expat expectant moms prefer to stay in the city to deliver instead of going back to their home countries.

In order to access maternity services, you will need to book an appointment at a hospital or clinic in Dubai. Many of the leading hospitals in the emirate have specialty wings that deal with antenatal, childbirth, and post-natal facilities. Childbirths (natural and C-section) must be held at hospitals and clinics.

Latifa Hospital and Medcare Women and Children Hospital are popular options as they specialise in maternity care and paediatrics. Maternity packages offered by private hospitals and clinics are priced between AED 20,000 – AED 30,000 and government facilities can cost upwards of AED 7,000 – so getting your insurance in place is crucial before booking an appointment.

You can check the websites for the hospitals and clinics for the lists of gynaecologists and obstetricians who work there. These lists should be cross checked with your insurance provider to ensure that your policy covers maternity care at your preferred hospital or clinic.

Before visiting any hospital or clinic for maternity care, you should have the following documents with you:

Valid health insurance card.
Marriage certificate (original and copy).
Both future parents’ passports (original and copies).
Original and copies of residency visas of both future parents.

Question 4

Alternative medicine

Accepted Answer

As alternative forms of medicine have gained popularity in recent years, Dubai has seen a wave of new clinics and centres that cater to residents who prefer this type of treatment.

Residents can access alternative medicine and treatment in Dubai, which includes:

Ayurveda
Chiropractic Medicine
Homeopathy
Naturopathic Medicine
Osteopathic Medicine
Therapeutic Massage
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Unani Medicine

Question 5

Medical insurance

Accepted Answer

All employers in Dubai are legally required to provide health insurance for their employees, while most companies also extend this benefit to dependents of their employees.

When exploring an employment opportunity in Dubai, it is best to check with the company to confirm whether it provides medical insurance to family members. Medical insurance is also required for all people living in the emirate and proof of coverage must be provided to issue any residency visa.

There are more than 50 health insurance companies in Dubai that are approved by the DHA, and the authority estimates that nearly 100% of the city’s population has medical insurance coverage.

Among the most widely used medical insurance providers are:

AXA Gulf
Union Insurance Company
Oman Insurance Company
Emirates Insurance Company
Zurich Insurance – Middle East
United Insurance Company

The Essential Benefits Plan (EBP) is a low-cost insurance option for smaller businesses and residents who earn less than AED 4,000 per month. It is the minimal level of medical insurance that can be provided in Dubai under the law.

The EBP has a fixed cost range of AED 550 and AED 650 per year and covers emergencies, surgeries, medical tests, medication, outpatient and inpatient treatments and maternity. Some restrictions, limitations and co-insurance costs apply.

Should you need to purchase an insurance plan for your dependents, a little bit of research can go a long way in order to ensure you get the most value for your money. Comparison tools such as Bayzat, Compareit4me, YallaCompare, and Souqalmal compare costs and coverage options of local and international insurance providers available, helping you find the right policy that meets your needs.

Healthcare in Dubai: All You Need to Know

#1

Healthcare-related FDI

US$5.25bn

Healthcare expenditure

100%

Private healthcare coverage

Everything you need to know about healthcare in Dubai

Facilities

52

Hospitals

+50,000

Healthcare professionals

159,000

Surgeries performed in 2021

6,400

Hospital bed capacity

630,000

Medical tourists

Healthcare services

By location

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