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· Sets up of a local Clinical Operations team in Dubai to manage chronic conditions and actively manage acute health exacerbations thereof
· Launch of health and wellness solutions in the region
Chronic diseases and lifestyle related health diseases are on the rise globally. Over the next 20 years, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are expected to cost more than US$30 trillion globally. Government authorities on a macro-scale and employers on a micro-scale are realizing the impact of these changes on driving healthcare costs impacting the overall productivity levels and attrition rates. They are starting to take different measures to combat the resulting economic burden.
Recognising this trend, Cigna, in partnership with DAMANA, has rolled out its Chronic Conditions Management Program to help their insured members better manage chronic conditions. This is in addition to the ongoing critical case management to support members through critical episodes of care.
One of the company's key focus areas is on prevention and protection. The team will introduce its Health Risk Assessments (HRA) and Wellness Solutions later this year. HRAs are used to provide individuals with an evaluation of their health risks and quality of life. With proper identification and the right program, the teams aim to improve the health of their customers and, ultimately, reduce healthcare costs.
In the GCC, the rapid economic growth has been accompanied by the population adopting a sedentary lifestyle coupled with unhealthy eating habits and a lack of physical activity. This has contributed to a rising incidence of NCDs such as cardiovascular illnesses, diabetes and cancer. NCDs have become a leading cause of death in the GCC. The nature of NCDs requires that patients frequently contact the healthcare system. This leads to larger consumption of healthcare services which imposes an excessive cost burden on government budgets and decreases economic productivity. A report by leading professional services network PwC estimated that the economic burden resulting from NCDs in the GCC will reach $68 billion by 2022.
The UAE has been one of the top countries affected by this trend caused by the rapid growth in population and the changes in lifestyle. In the UAE, despite the young average age (whereby approximately half the population are aged between 30 and 70 years), a genetic predisposition of the population, unhealthy dietary consumption, lack of physical activity and the high prevalence of smoking have all contributed to making this country among the world's leaders for the prevalence of chronic disease.
As per the World Health Organization, NCDs are estimated to account for 65% of total deaths in the UAE, and the probability of dying between the ages 30 and 70 years as a result of the four main NCDs in the UAE is 19%.
The UAE government is aware of the consequences of this national trend. Therefore the federal and individual Emirate governments are backing this vision with significant and strategic investments intended to drive the industry forward. In 2013 alone, UAE healthcare expenditures reached an estimated $16.8 billion.
One of the main drivers of cost for chronic conditions in the UAE is diabetes. According to the International Diabetes Federation, the UAE is one of the top five countries in the world, with diabetes prevalence estimated at 19%. In fact, in 2014, delivering diabetes care cost the UAE healthcare system US$16.8 billion (Dh61.7 billion) which the IDF predicts will increase to $24.7bn billion in 2035. The UAE spends more on diabetes than any other GCC nation.
"Employers investing in sustainable wellness programmes are realising the positive effect it can have on company growth, as well as on employee health and satisfaction," says David M. Cordani, President and CEO of Cigna Corporation.
"At Cigna, our mission is to help the individuals we serve improve their health, well-being and sense of security. As a global health service leader with over 90 million customer relationships worldwide and a presence in 30 countries and jurisdictions including throughout the Middle East, Cigna is actively engaged in driving health and wellness initiatives with our clients," he added.
Howard Gough, Cigna's CEO for the MENA region and Global IPMI, said: "Cigna is committed to significantly expand in this region. With the Government's focus firmly set on preventative healthcare, our clinical and wellness agenda and comprehensive solution set is well-aligned with the direction of policy-makers. We believe we can play a meaningful role in forging a brighter healthcare future because engaging our customers in proactively maintaining a healthy lifestyle is at the heart of everything we do. The growing prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases, as well as employers' increasing demand for better healthcare solutions for their talent, mean that Cigna, with our partner DAMANA, is well placed to increase our market share."
Through its alliance with DAMANA (Saudi Arabian Insurance Company BSC) Cigna has helped set up the MENA Clinical Operations Team in Dubai composed of qualified doctors and nurses who work closely with patients diagnosed with chronic conditions to help them lead a healthy lifestyle, actively case-managing any high cost in-patient episodes of care and providing decision support programs for complex diagnoses assisting members with their treatment decisions.
Commenting on this, Nagib M. Bahous, Executive Director of DAMANA, said: "This is a step in the right direction towards recognizing the importance of addressing the management of chronic conditions and encouraging people to lead healthier lifestyles".
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About DAMANA
Saudi Arabian Insurance Company BSC (c) (DAMANA) is a multiline insurance company registered in Bahrain and provides healthcare for locals, expatriates, and their family members living in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. It has an A- (A minus) financial strength rating from AM Best.
In the GCC, Cigna has allied with DAMANA to form a regional administration company - Cigna SAICO Benefits Services W.L.L. It provides local servicing of healthcare insurance that is insured by DAMANA and reinsured and internationally serviced by Cigna. Together Cigna and DAMANA deliver superior and locally compliant benefit plans for employees and their families who live and work in the GCC countries.
DAMANA also has a sister company in KSA, Saudi Arabian Cooperative Insurance Company. It is a licensed multiline cooperative insurance company operating in Saudi Arabia with branches in Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar and Qassim. It also has another sister company in Lebanon: Saudi Arabian Insurance Company SAL (www.damana.com).
About Cigna
Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security. All products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of North America and Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, supplemental benefits, and other related products including group life, accident and disability insurance. Cigna maintains sales capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has more than 89 million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com
© Press Release 2016
