UAE Healthcare Market (Nephrology and Dialysis) : Investment

UAE Healthcare Market (Nephrology and Dialysis)
In the UAE, it is reported that more than 2,000 patients are undergoing dialysis.
Most patients present to dialysis as an emergency. The annual growth is 12-
15% and the dialysis population is likely to double in the next five years. There
are 33 dialysis centers in the UAE: 22 are public and 11 in the private sector,
altogether serving a dialysis population of UAE, with 93.5% receiving HD.
❖ Investment
Kidney dialysis patients in the UAE, some facing seven-hour round
trips for treatment, have issued a plea for home treatment. Most
hemodialysis patients have to be connected to a machine at
hospital for at least three hours, three to four times a week, with
long travel times adding to the ordeal. Some family members have
had to leave their jobs to care for their loved ones, while others
have relied on domestic helpers and drivers. Families told The
National they can spend up to seven hours travelling to and from
dialysis sessions at Mafraq Hospital, Tawam Hospital, Rahba
Hospital or Sheikh Khalifa Medical City.
The trend for regular patients is now moving to home dialysis

either by portable dialysis machine or conventional one in the
world. In most countries the service is an option for all patients
but not yet in the UAE. It is a source of frustration for many
patients and healthcare professionals. Home Healthcare Services
is the only provider in the UAE to offer hemodialysis to patients at
their home, but it is only for elderly, bed-ridden Emirati patients.
As mentioned above, more than 2,000 patients are undergoing
dialysis and this figure expected to double in the next five years.
In Abu Dhabi, around 370 out of every million people currently
require dialysis sessions. So, there is a desperate need for more
home dialysis services in UAE. The idea of developing this therapy
was to give kidney patients an alternative option. Patients will have
control of their lives again.
❖ Currency Convertibility
➢ There are no currency restrictions in the UAE as residents and
non-residents are entitled to hold fully convertible off shore or on
shore bank accounts in the UAE or overseas in dirhams or in
foreign currency.
❖ Demand/ Supply of beds in hospitals:

No data available
❖ Payers
Sector For Locals For Expatriates
Insurance/ Out-of-
Public Government
pocket
Insurance/ Out-of-
Private Out-of-pocket
pocket
❖ Revenue Streams
Public Sector: People can access the hospitals and clinics covered by
their health insurance. For UAE nationals, public hospitals and clinics are
low-cost-to-free.
Spend/ Patient = No data available

Private Sector:
Average cost: Nephrologist fee range falls between AED 100 -

AED 600.
Dialysis DDh650-1,000 per session
❖ Insurances
National health insurance provider Daman said it provides home
treatment to patients it considers housebound for medical reasons.
"This includes members who require a special vehicle to transport
them safely, such as an ambulance, as well as patients attached to
equipment requiring constant electrical supply.
"It also includes individuals suffering from conditions that put them at
high risk should they leave their homes, such as refractory epilepsy,”
Daman said in a statement.
It said coverage for home dialysis could be discontinued if a patient no
longer meets criteria for the service.
▪ Insurance schemes for UAE nationals
Abu Dhabi
Under the 'Thiqa' programme, Abu Dhabi Government

provides dialysis coverage for all UAE nationals living
in Abu Dhabi. Citizens get a Thiqa card, through which
they get comprehensive access to a large number of
private and public healthcare providers registered
within Daman's network. It also includes broader
geographical coverage and extra health benefits.
Dubai
Saada is a health insurance programme for the citizens

in the emirate of Dubai. It provides insurance coverage
to citizens who do not currently benefit from any
government health programme in the emirate of Dubai.
Sharjah
The Department of Health Insurance at Sharjah Health

Authority oversees health insurance coverage for UAE
nationals in the emirate of Sharjah.
Ajman
The Government of Ajman provides all its residents

with health insurance. An updated list of hospitals,
clinics and pharmacies approved by the health
insurance network and claim forms can be accessed
from Ajman Government site.
All other emirates provide free dialysis at any government

hospital for UAE nationals.
▪ Insurance Schemes for Expats:

• Basic insurance plans ranging between AED 550 to
AED 650 per year, do not cover dialysis and access to
nephrologist. You’ll need comprehensive or premium
insurance plans in order to get your dialysis covered.
• In Abu Dhabi, it is mandatory that company provide
private health insurance for employees and their
dependents. Dependents include one spouse and up to
three children under the age of 18. Health insurance
coverage for a fourth child is the responsibility of the
employee.
• In Dubai, companies only need to provide coverage for
employees. It is recommended by the Dubai
government that they provide coverage for
employees’ families as well as healthcare
coverage is required by law.
• In the northern emirates of Ajman, Ras Al-Khaimah,
Sharjah, Fujairah, and Umm Al-Quwain, it is not
mandatory for employers. But it is mandatory for all
residents of UAE to have health insurance.
❖ Stakeholders
Administrators Innovators
• Ministry of Health and • Home Healthcare Services
Prevention (MoHAP) • NMC healthcare provider
• Dubai Health Authority
(DHA)
• Department of Health Abu
Dhabi (SEHA)
• Sharjah Healthcare
Authority (SHA)
Patient: Expectations
Hemodialysis is available for only elderly, bed-ridden Emirati

patients. So, they expect this service for all of them. It should be
an option for all patients. They desire to get back the complete
control of their lives and expects that this will improve quality of
life.
• Insurances
Ask for innovative concepts? Yes. Insurance providers are looking for some
innovative concepts that can help them to get maximum market share.
Oppenness for new services? Yes.
Most desirable USPs of Private Provides
• The average cost of treatment like chemotherapy, radiation therapy,

immunotherapy is very high. So, they demand from the providers to
cover all the treatment expenses within the basic package. And the most
desirable USP is lowering the prices.
❖ Competition
5 major market 5 best innovators 5 best specialized providers
players
o Home o Home o Burjeel Hospital, Abu
Healthcare Healthcare Dhabi
Services Services o Thumbay Hospital,
o NMC o NMC Ajman
healthcare healthcare o Al Zahra Hospital, Dubai
provider provider o Saudi German Hospital,
Dubai
o American Hospital, Dubai

UAE Healthcare Market (Nephrology and Dialysis) : Investment

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UAE Healthcare Market (Nephrology and Dialysis)

The trend for regular patients is now moving to home dialysis

❖ Demand/ Supply of beds in hospitals:

Spend/ Patient = No data available

Average cost: Nephrologist fee range falls between AED 100 -

Dialysis DDh650-1,000 per session

Under the 'Thiqa' programme, Abu Dhabi Government

Saada is a health insurance programme for the citizens

The Department of Health Insurance at Sharjah Health

The Government of Ajman provides all its residents

All other emirates provide free dialysis at any government

▪ Insurance Schemes for Expats:

Hemodialysis is available for only elderly, bed-ridden Emirati

Oppenness for new services? Yes.

Most desirable USPs of Private Provides

• The average cost of treatment like chemotherapy, radiation therapy,

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