A survey shows most expatriates would rather go to their home countries to be treated. Mahmood Saberi spoke to Dr Krishna Pakkal, chief operating officer, Zulekha Hospital, and asked why.
Do people go abroad for treatment because of the high medical costs here or are there other reasons?
Usually operations that are planned much in advance are coupled with the annual leave by some expatriates so that they can have a comfortable post-op stay in their home country. But we still get a good number of expatriates who prefer to get themselves operated in our hospital.
A number of Asian countries are promoting ?medical tourism? where people can go on a holiday and get themselves treated as well. Your comment.
The idea of the ?health holiday? is to offer customers an opportunity to get away from their daily routine and into a different relaxing surrounding. It is like rejuvenation and a clean up process on all levels, physical, mental and
emotional.
The common perception is that private hospitals ask for tests that are unnecessary ?
?It is unethical to do tests that are not required and our doctors are bound by the ethical values of the hospital. At the same time, doctors need to ask for certain tests that lead them to a correct diagnosis. Sometimes when paying for the treatment the patient feels that the doctor has done unnecessary tests. This would not happen if the doctor explains to the patient in detail about the benefits as well as the cost to the patient, and also of the risks of not doing the tests.
It is difficult to get qualified doctors and nurses to the UAE. The qualifying tests are also difficult, say nurses. Is that why most hospitals complain of shortage of staff?
The Ministry of Health and the Department of Health have very stringent tests before they give anyone a licence to practise medicine or para-medical speciality. The reason is that they want only the best to come here and serve the patients. We agree with this policy. In super speciality departments, yes, it is difficult, but not impossible, to get good doctors.
Some of the services freely available to expatriates earlier in government hospitals are now being charged. How has that changed things in the medical sector?
There is a gradual increase in patient inflow in the private sector. That has come from the government hospitals as they have started to charge the patients. But we do not anticipate any sudden or steep increase in the patient numbers.
Would you recommend medical insurance for children? Some people think that it is cheaper to ?pay per illness?, so to speak.
Illness, like road accidents, can strike anyone, of any age or sex, at any time. It is prudent to get yourself insured to be prepared for any eventuality.
Are there an adequate number of hospitals, or is there scope to open more private hospitals?
The UAE has a good number of hospitals for its size and population. And in the next few years many more are to come. We feel the country is going in the right direction in making itself a healthcare hub in the Middle East and even the world, as we should not only aim to serve the people in this country, but should also try to tap the global healthcare market.
