Anyone who has been to the doctor here is likely to have been sent off to have a series of tests and then prescribed a range of pills. On one level, it is heartening to know the resources are available to determine what ails us. However, the tests and medicines are likely to be part of the huge sum thought to be wasted each year on healthcare.
Some of this reflects the way medicine has changed globally in the past 50 years, both because of the availability of high-tech diagnostic equipment and doctors being more likely to act defensively because of the prospect of being sued for malpractice. The downside is not just squandering healthcare budgets, but also the increased likelihood of superbugs caused by overprescribed antibiotics.
But an issue particular to the UAE is the way patients often present themselves at hospital emergency rooms rather than going to see a general practitioner. In part, this reflects the nature of this country’s demographics. We have a large expatriate population, many people are unfamiliar with the health system and think that it is best to head for the hospitals near where they live.
One is naturally reluctant to interfere in the practice of medicine, relying instead on the skill and experience of doctors to act as they see fit in the best interests of their patients. However, there is a case for the provision of more primary healthcare providers to act as the first point of contact for those seeking non-urgent medical attention. This will add both an extra level of bureaucracy and, initially, expense, but ought to save money in the long run.
An example of how it might work is the Oud Al Touba Healthcare Centre in Al Ain, which has treated 10,000 patients since opening in December. It runs a comprehensive screening programme during which patients are assessed in a single appointment.
As Haidar Al Yousuf, the head of funding at the Dubai Health Authority, told The National this week, more efficient use of the healthcare budget will save us having to allocate more money to the sector and free it up for more beneficial use.
