Health care on a march in the UAE

Increased expenditure by the Government on the healthcare sector, including a mandatory coverage policy for Abu Dhabi residents, has driven the UAE's per-capita healthcare spending to about US$1,500 (Dh5,508) - the second-highest in the Gulf, said 'The National'. This is expected to grow at 5 per cent a year to the end of 2014, according to a Deloitte report. The federal Government spent an estimated $8 billion in 2010 and is expected to have spent 24 per cent of last year's budget on social and healthcare development, it said. Among the ongoing projects in the capital is Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, a multi-speciality hospital. The 360-bed facility is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of next year. In April, Burjeel Hospital opened in the capital with a capacity of more than 200 beds. The hospital grounds measure 70,000 square metres. Mubadala Development, a strategic investment company owned by the Abu Dhabi Government, is building the Arzanah Medical Complex near Zayed Sports City. It will house three specialised centres: the Abu Dhabi Knee and Support Medicine Centre, which will cater to sports injuries; the Arzanah Wellness and Diagnostic Centre, which will specialise in dentistry, dermatology and paediatrics; and a Wooridul Spine Centre, which will cater to patients with spinal injuries. A Wooridul centre is already open in Dubai. Also in the emirate, Al Maktoum Hospital is considering building a 300-bed accident and emergency hospital in Jebel Ali The 200-bed Al Jalila Children's Speciality Hospital in Dubai, will focus on administering care to patients up to 14 years old. At least four more hospitals are underway in Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah. These will add at least 800 beds to the Emirates.