In recent weeks, considerable angst has been expressed about the decision by the Health Authority – Abu Dhabi (Haad) that Emiratis with Thiqa medical insurance must now pay 20 per cent of the cost of their treatment at private hospitals and clinics.
While that may seem a modest amount to expatriates, it has come as a great shock, with many citizens facing what are huge burdens. Attention has been focused on those who require long-term inpatient care which, in many cases and for a variety of reasons, is not available at government-owned hospitals. For them and their families, the 20 per cent can amount, it is suggested, to as much as Dh60,000 a month. That is beyond the reach of all but the very wealthy.
I have, thus far, read little about the impact on outpatient care. Many families, naturally, prefer, if possible, to have those in need of long-term attention or care at home. When a properly-trained nurse in attendance for only eight hours a day can cost Dh30,000 a month or more, a payment of 20 per cent would cost Dh6,000 a month. For many Emiratis, often with large families to support, that amount too would represent a heavy burden.
Private health-care providers, we hear, have been told that if they fail to collect the 20 per cent, to pass on to the insurer, or if they offer discounts to those who find it difficult to pay, they will be in breach of the contracts which govern their relations with the government-owned insurer, putting at risk their entire business.
The problems clearly need to be addressed swiftly. If there are no beds available in government hospitals and the family of a long-term inpatient cannot afford the 20 per cent, are they really expected to take the patient home, when inadequate care or possibly an earlier death may result?
Surely someone, somewhere, should have seen these issues coming. One wonders whether sufficient thought was given to the broader ramifications of what is, in essence, a government cost-cutting measure.
Perhaps a solution can be found quickly, either within the existing structure or through the establishment of a special office to which people can apply for assistance.
Beyond that, however, there is a need for a wider re-examination of the whole health-care sector.
Over the past decade or so, there has been an increasing tendency to encourage the growth of the private sector, in health care as in so much else. This applies not just to the supply of beds, doctors and nurses but also to the provision of particular types of treatment. Thus the private sector now supplies most of the long-term inpatient care facilities while government hospitals seem, currently at least, to have insufficient beds for this category.
I am not aware whether any understandings, explicit or otherwise, exist, but the private sector may well have invested in the facilities to provide this kind of treatment on the assumption that government would continue to pay for the health care of Emiratis. As a corollary, government investment in this aspect of the infrastructure of the public health care sector was saved.
The general policy of free health care for citizens is gradually changing, and perhaps rightly so. With a rapidly rising Emirati population, the policy is no longer affordable. It is reasonable that people should make some contribution, especially those who choose to use private hospitals when similar facilities are available in the government sector, although one should recognise that the quality of care is not always comparable.
At the same time, one could argue that it is the duty of government, as part of its commitment to provide for its citizens, to ensure that appropriate health care is provided for those whose needs cannot be met by themselves or their families. Until the necessary facilities are available in the government sector, the private sector should be paid, fully, to do so.
Peter Hellyer is a consultant specialising in the UAE’s history and culture
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
List of officials:
Referees: Chris Broad, David Boon, Jeff Crowe, Andy Pycroft, Ranjan Madugalle and Richie Richardson.
Umpires: Aleem Dar, Kumara Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Bruce Oxenford, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Sundaram Ravi, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker, Michael Gough, Joel Wilson and Paul Wilson.
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
Company profile
Name: Dukkantek
Started: January 2021
Founders: Sanad Yaghi, Ali Al Sayegh and Shadi Joulani
Based: UAE
Number of employees: 140
Sector: B2B Vertical SaaS(software as a service)
Investment: $5.2 million
Funding stage: Seed round
Investors: Global Founders Capital, Colle Capital Partners, Wamda Capital, Plug and Play, Comma Capital, Nowais Capital, Annex Investments and AMK Investment Office
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
New process leads to panic among jobseekers
As a UAE-based travel agent who processes tourist visas from the Philippines, Jennifer Pacia Gado is fielding a lot of calls from concerned travellers just now. And they are all asking the same question.
“My clients are mostly Filipinos, and they [all want to know] about good conduct certificates,” says the 34-year-old Filipina, who has lived in the UAE for five years.
Ms Gado contacted the Philippines Embassy to get more information on the certificate so she can share it with her clients. She says many are worried about the process and associated costs – which could be as high as Dh500 to obtain and attest a good conduct certificate from the Philippines for jobseekers already living in the UAE.
“They are worried about this because when they arrive here without the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] clearance, it is a hassle because it takes time,” she says.
“They need to go first to the embassy to apply for the application of the NBI clearance. After that they have go to the police station [in the UAE] for the fingerprints. And then they will apply for the special power of attorney so that someone can finish the process in the Philippines. So it is a long process and more expensive if you are doing it from here.”
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
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Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
