UAE healthcare spending to reach Dh40 billion by 2015

Ministry of Health says the number of government hospitals in the UAE has risen from just seven back in 1971, to 92 now plus more than 1,162 private hospitals.

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The Ministry of Health has predicted that Government spending on the healthcare sector would reach Dh40 billion by 2015.

Spending in 2011 amounted to Dh36bn, distributed across the budgets of the Ministry of Health, the Health Authority - Abu Dhabi and the Dubai Health Authority, as well as large investments in the private sector, according to an article in Al Ittihad, the Arabic-language sister newspaper of The National.

According to a ministry report, there are 92 hospitals in the country, 15 of which are owned by the ministry, 246 primary healthcare centres, 67 general medical centres, 11 school health centres, 10 maternal and childcare centres, 110 specialised maternity units at primary healthcare centres and hospitals and 1,162 private hospitals, specialised centres and clinics.

In 1971, there were only seven hospitals and 12 healthcare centres in the country.

The ministry has plans for 35 projects spread across the Northern Emirates. The projects include specialised and general hospitals, primary healthcare centres, dental care centres, central labs, blood banks and projects to develop the infrastructure at various healthcare facilities.