DHA commits to meeting all clinics in Dubai to clarify and discuss the new health funding system

An estimated 600 meetings scheduled for next three months

Dubai, 25 September 2008: Following a presentation to over sixty healthcare management and insurance experts, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has concluded the first stage of its process to appoint three health management companies to support Outpatient Care Practice (OCP) clinics within the new health funding system.  Over twenty expressions of interest from a broad range of international, regional and domestic healthcare and insurance companies have submitted their credentials.

Commenting on this success His Excellency Mr. Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, the Director General of the DHA, said: 'We are very pleased with this level of interest and support and we look forward to receiving the formal tenders in due course.' 

He adds: 'Change is not always an easy option but inevitably it creates many new opportunities.  Our four year transition programme is designed to ensure that everyone has time to adapt to the new commercial environment. Whilst our focus will always be the health of the patient, and the role of the medical community in determining the best care for them, business will have an equally important part to play. The DHA is committed to ensuring that industry has a bigger role across the healthcare sector as the Government responds to the growth in demand for healthcare in Dubai.'

The HMCs will assist OCPs benefit from the new health funding system, helping to drive a sustainable, high quality and accessible healthcare system. To do this the HMCs will provide administrative, financial, and other value-added services. These will include the management and flow of funds to the practices and the negotiation of arrangements with hospitals and specialist clinics.

Three-year contracts will be awarded and licensed OCPs will be allotted to one of the three HMCs before the new health funding system is launched at the beginning of 2009.  In the meantime, the DHA is committed to building on its original twelve month consultation programme with an extensive public engagement process.  Over the next few months the DHA will roll out and undertake an extensive high profile campaign to ensure everyone understands what they have to do, how they do it and when they have to do it.

As part of this programme, the DHA health funding team is currently undertaking a programme of visits to every clinic in Dubai.  This could potentially include nearly 600 one-on-one briefings during September, October and November.  To date the DHA team has met with organisations representing over 100 public and private clinics in Dubai, enabling medical directors, doctors and administrators to learn more about the new health funding system.

Ms Laila Al Jassmi, the Director responsible for establishing the health funding project for the DHA, said: 'We fully appreciate the need for everyone to understand how the new system will work.  We are getting ready for a major engagement programme with all our stakeholders over the next few months or so. In addition to the one-on-one briefings we will shortly be hosting a series of road shows for the wider medical and business communities.  We will also be publishing a series of briefing notes to accompany the existing information available on the DHA website (www.dha.gov.ae).  I would also encourage stakeholders and the general public to register on the DHA's online community.  This is a dedicated site where everyone can learn more about the system ask questions and let us know what they think.'

-Ends-

Dubai Health Authority created by Law issued by the Ruler of Dubai in June 2007.

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has been empowered to set policy and strategy for health, and to assure the application of that health policy and strategy. The DHA leads an integrated approach across the spectrum of health, anticipating Dubai's future needs and being responsive to users. It will stimulate growth and innovation in the health market, ensuring value for money and quality of services through effective regulation.

The DHA implementation will be undertaken in phases and will take around four years to complete (2012).  In the meantime the Department of Health and Medical Services (DoHMS) continues to provide day-to-day medical services.

His Excellency Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid has been appointed Director General of the emergent DHA.  He is the only official spokesperson who can comment on behalf of the DHA.

The new Dubai Health Authority (DHA) structure will ensure that health services are better positioned to meet the demand for better healthcare services in the future. The DHA will work to:

  • Provide a Health Strategy for Dubai that will meet the needs of the predicted growth and change in population

  • Ensure Public Health is protected and quality of life improved

  • Ensure partnership between public and private health service providers, bringing together the best international experience to ensure we deliver the best health system possible

  • Achieve international accreditation of healthcare services delivered across the Emirate by ensuring world-class quality and standards of healthcare

  • Ensure effective regulation and licensing across the Dubai Health Sector guaranteeing the quality of health services provided

  • Increase the transparency and accountability of the healthcare system

  • Drive efficiency so that funding is spent on the most effective healthcare for those who need it

  • Improve accessibility to the healthcare system and sustainability for the future

  • Deliver the best training and education opportunities for Dubai healthcare practitioners

DHA Health Funding: The DHA transition team is working closely with the Executive Council (TEC) on all future financing arrangements. Further announcements on the details of the health funding programme will be made in due course.

DHA Health Regulation: Will implement DHA regulatory policy across the public and private health sector in Dubai. Further announcements on the details of the DHA health regulation will be made in due course. 

Access to the DHA website can be made at www.dha.gov.ae.  Anyone interested in becoming part of the DHA Online Community should log onto the following link:

http://www.dhacommunity.com/dha/invite.aspx.  Alternatively access can be made via the DHA website.

On behalf of the DHA, for further details please contact 
Nada Al Qassimi
nsalQassimi@dohms.gov.ae

Marcus Pepperell/Philippa Daniels @ FD
marcus.pepperell@fd.com / philippa.daniels@fd.com
Tel: +971 (0)4 332 8832

© Press Release 2008