UAE ranks high for inclusive, people-centred health system in new index
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)The UAE has ranked among the top countries for inclusive health systems, according to a new index.Out of the 40 nations assessed in the Health Inclusivity Index, the UAE secured the eighth spot for its health system, one of the three domains of the study. The country scored 77.8 in this area, reflecting the strength and scope of its healthcare system. The index by Economist Impact, supported by consumer health company Haleon, is based on insights from a survey of 42,000 people across 40 countries. It was launched on Thursday in partnership with the UAE-UK Business Council, during an event that saw industry leaders discuss how improving health literacy can foster community-centred care.'The UAE is not just preparing for the future — it is actively changing,' said Arda Arat, General Manager of Haleon Gulf and Near East. Arat described the UAE's healthcare strategy as 'future-looking'. '[The country is] generally in the first 10 among 40 countries — very high on wellbeing, person-centred care, and inclusive systems,' he said. 'Inclusive health systems' is one of the index's three primary domains. The other two are 'health in society' and 'people and community empowerment', emphasising the importance of literacy and public awareness in building healthier communities.Dr. Omniyat Al Hajeri, Executive Director of the Community Health Sector at the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), recognised the importance of translating data and strategy into real changes in the community and within households. 'Our main target is to have a health-literate, empowered community ... making the right lifestyle choices from childhood,' Dr. Al Hajeri told Aletihad on the sidelines of the index's launch. Healthcare, she emphasised, goes beyond curing disease: 'The real target is having people reach their maximum health potential.''Care does not start at the hospital; it starts in our homes and communities,' Dr. Al Hajeri said. She also stressed that an appropriate shift in wellbeing mindset and priorities could build not only a healthy community but a happy family life. In Abu Dhabi, the vision is to build a system where 'everyone receives the care they deserve — curative and preventative —regardless of who they are or where they live', she said. Pointing to initiatives like Sahatna and Malaffi, Dr. Al Hajeri reaffirmed: 'We have built a whole institution to make inclusivity real — measurable, actionable, and lasting.'
From Awareness to ActionBradley Jones, Executive Director of the UAE–UK Business Council, affirmed that health literacy is not only about keeping the public informed — 'it is about empowerment'. Jones called the Health Inclusivity Index 'a very important and impactful report'. 'This is just the beginning. Let's move from awareness to action and build a healthier, more inclusive future,' he said. Arat said the index's launch could mark the start of a shift 'from awareness to action' on health literacy and inclusivity.
'The index is just a number. It is about what you do with that… If you take it from people up, starting with their understanding and empowering them to act, it will have a change,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
6 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
'Not one medicine for all': UAE doctors say homeopathy personalises treatment
After being told she needed a hysterectomy due to fibroids, a woman found a healing path through homeopathy. As her symptoms improved within two months and her fibroids shrank significantly — leaving just one small fibroid — experts explained that homeopathy activates the body's self-regulation to achieve long-term healing. The 46-year-old mother of two (name requested to be withheld), based in Dubai, was dealing with multiple large fibroids — about five large fibroids in her uterus — and diabetes. These fibroids were impacting her life, causing frequent bleeding. She was left with no choice but to undergo a hysterectomy based on the doctor's recommendation. Usually, many women have no symptoms, but common signs include heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, bleeding between periods, pelvic pressure or pain, lower back pain, frequent urination, painful intercourse, and difficulty conceiving. In severe cases, fibroids can lead to anaemia due to blood loss. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. She decided to try homeopathy at Wellth and started working with homeopathy practitioners. Dr Yasir Shafi, a homeopathy practitioner at Wellth who supervised her treatment, explained: "Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine that uses natural remedies mainly from plants and minerals, in highly diluted doses, to stimulate the body's self-healing response. It follows the principle of 'like cures like' — treating symptoms with remedies that would produce similar symptoms in a healthy person." He added, "Treatment is tailored to the individual's physical, emotional, and mental state." Dr Shafi noted that treatment duration varies from person to person. Acute conditions may improve within days or weeks. At the same time, chronic issues, such as fibroids, often require several months of consistent treatment. Progress depends on the size of the fibroid, overall health, and adherence to the treatment plan. He also mentioned, "Medicines are mainly derived from plants or minerals. These are potentised through a homeopathic process and prescribed in different potencies." "It's important to understand that these medicines are not the same for all fibroid patients," he said. "Homeopathy is a highly individualised approach based on the patient's nature, history, and symptoms. Each patient receives medicine suited to their unique condition — not one medicine for all." Regarding the 46-year-old woman, she committed to a year-long treatment plan focusing on personalised natural remedies and lifestyle changes. Within just a couple of months, she noticed an improvement in her symptoms. A follow-up scan showed her fibroids had shrunk significantly, leaving just one small fibroid. This was remarkable since she had been advised that hysterectomy was her only option. The best part was that she also managed to bring her diabetes under control through holistic methods without conventional medicines. Dr Asher Shaikh further explained: "How long treatment takes depends on the condition and the individual. Acute issues, such as fever, cough, or food poisoning, can improve within hours or a day. Chronic problems like allergies, eczema, psoriasis, autoimmune disorders, hormonal imbalances, PCOS, migraines, gut issues like IBS, inflammatory bowel disease, thyroid issues, or anxiety may take a few weeks to show deeper improvement and a few months for long-term stabilisation." He added, "Many patients report early signs that the remedy is working: better sleep, improved mood, more energy — even if the main complaint hasn't fully resolved yet." Dr Shaikh described the process: "Homeopathy begins with an in-depth consultation. We don't rely solely on test reports; we also discuss emotions, sleep patterns, fears, digestive health, and life history. This helps us choose a remedy that fits the whole person, not just the diagnosis." He noted that this process typically includes thorough case-taking lasting 60 to 120 minutes for chronic cases, along with emotional counseling. Remedies are customised from over 2,000 options based on the patient's profile, with potency and dosage determined by their condition and sensitivity. Lifestyle advice on nutrition, stress management, and habits that may affect healing is also provided. Dr Shaikh recommended considering homeopathy if individuals have recurring or chronic issues like allergies, PCOS, anxiety, IBS, eczema, migraines, or hormonal problems. It's also suitable if you're tired of side effects from conventional medicine or want a natural approach that supports your body's healing abilities. "Homeopathy is a safe treatment option for infants, pregnant women, and the elderly, making it a gentle care choice. It can also complement conventional treatment when full relief is not achieved or help support the immune system during recovery," he added.
Khaleej Times
6 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
'His positivity was half the cure': Athletes remember Dubai-based doctor's care, gentle nature
Patients, athletes, and colleagues are mourning the loss of Dr Anwar Sadath, a well-known orthopedic surgeon in Dubai, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 49. Dr Sadath was from Kerala and was known for his gentle nature, ethical practice, and deep care for his patients. He was a specialist at Medcare Orthopaedics and Spine Hospital and had over 18 years of experience in treating sports injuries, fractures, and trauma cases. For the past 14 years, he was a part of the Aster DM Healthcare group. Among those deeply affected by his passing is Indian international handball player Vipin Kumar, who had been receiving treatment from Dr Sadath for many years. 'He was more than just a doctor to me. He focused on healing my injuries naturally, through strengthening exercises and avoiding unnecessary surgeries. Whenever I got hurt, he gave me the confidence to recover and keep going. He always reminded me that we were in this together, it was a team effort,' said Vipin. Vipin had recently returned from an international handball tournament in Taipei and had met Dr Sadath just days before his death. 'He told me he was going on a vacation soon. He was so happy and proud every time I brought home a medal. I even spoke about him during a recent radio interview, thanking him for the role he played in my success,' he added. Another patient, speaking to Khaleej Times, said Dr Sadath treated everyone like family. 'He wasn't just a doctor; he was a well-wisher. He cared from the heart. He would never suggest unnecessary procedures, and his first step was always to calm us down and lift our spirits before starting any treatment. That positivity alone was half the cure.' Known for his humility, Dr Sadath had a strong connection with many athletes in the UAE. His colleagues described him as a man with a pure heart who always put his patients first. 'He had a gift for making people feel at ease. You walked into his clinic with pain and walked out with hope,' said a colleague. Dr Sadath is survived by his three children. His sudden passing has left a void in the medical and sports community. He is being laid to rest after Asr prayer at Al Qusais Cemetery, with many of his patients and well-wishers attending the funeral.
Khaleej Times
7 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
'Reclaimed my life': UAE expat saved after multiple surgeries for rare genetic condition
A 36-year-old UAE resident suffering from severe back and chest pain was recently diagnosed with a leaking liver aneurysm caused by a rare genetic condition, triggering a complex series of life-saving surgeries at Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi. In a rare case, the medical team had to simultaneously thin the patient's blood to prevent clotting while also managing internal bleeding from another site, posing a serious challenge. The patient had initially believed his discomfort would fade with rest and medication. But as the pain worsened and began to impact his daily life, he sought medical help. At Burjeel Hospital, a detailed evaluation revealed a leaking aneurysm, a dangerous bulge in a blood vessel in the liver. Further investigations showed that the patient had a rare genetic condition that weakened the muscular walls of blood vessels, making them prone to aneurysms and ruptures. This condition is exceptionally rare among younger individuals. According to Dr Moatasiem Bukhari, consultant vascular surgeon at Burjeel Hospital, the patient arrived with intense pain in the emergency department. 'Since the painkillers he had taken hadn't helped, we conducted a CT angiogram, which revealed a leak from an aneurysm in the artery supplying the left side of his liver,' said Dr Bukhari. To treat this, Dr Mohamed Almarzooqi, consultant of interventional radiology, performed an endovascular coiling procedure. Through a small incision in the patient's right groin, tiny coils were inserted into the affected blood vessel to block blood flow and seal the aneurysm, a standard but delicate method used in such cases. However, the situation took a turn when a false aneurysm developed in the main artery of the patient's right thigh likely due to a puncture in the artery wall during the procedure, according to the doctors. Initially small and manageable through non-surgical methods, the false aneurysm ruptured the next day, causing massive internal bleeding. 'He bled significantly into his right thigh,' said Dr Bukhari. 'We had no option but to proceed with emergency open surgery. We made a small incision in his lower abdomen to access and control the main artery feeding the right leg. Once we located the hole in the femoral artery, we repaired it and removed nearly three liters of blood to stabilise him.' Two opposing treatments The complexity of the case lay in managing two contradictory conditions. While some vascular issues required the team to thin the patient's blood to avoid clots, the rupture in his thigh meant that thinning his blood could have led to fatal bleeding. Striking the right balance was critical. Dr Khaled Hassan Attia Ghorab, consultant of critical care medicine, led the ICU team during the patient's recovery, while Dr Mohsin Saleem Basade, consultant anesthetist, oversaw the anesthesia care during the surgical interventions. Recalling the painful journey, the patient, who requested anonymity, said, 'The pain was unbearable at times, and I realised I had to accept the situation and undergo these procedures to reclaim my life. I am grateful to the doctors and to my family, especially my mother, who never left my side.' Today, he is on the path to recovery. His wounds are healing, and he is focused on returning to a normal life. 'I pray that this marks a turning point. Health, work, family, everything has a new meaning now,' he added. While the immediate danger has passed, the patient's condition still requires long-term care. According to Dr Bukhari, 'He has around seven aneurysms and four to five serious arterial dissections that need to be regularly monitored. Ongoing scans and follow-up care will be critical.'
