Strategy& Middle East: GCC healthcare sector could save US$2.5bln by investing in workforce wellbeing

Zawya

06-05-2025

Prioritizing healthcare workforce wellbeing results in 17% reduction in absenteeism, 11% decrease in staff turnover, 25% increase in productivity
Dubai, UAE: New research by Strategy& Middle East, part of the PwC network, estimates that investing in workforce wellbeing could generate savings of as much as US$2.5 billion in the GCC healthcare sector. The findings highlight the unique set of challenges affecting healthcare workers' physical and mental wellbeing and illustrates how investment in workforce wellbeing could have a significant impact.
Long hours, high-intensity work environments, and physically demanding tasks contribute to chronic fatigue and other health problems. According to reports, almost 50% of healthcare professionals worldwide are affected by burnout, while nearly 48% globally suffer from musculoskeletal issues each year. With the GCC healthcare sector workforce comprising more than 800,000 workers in 2025, investment in strengthening workplace wellbeing has the potential to create significant impact across the sector.
The human cost
Recent studies indicate that healthcare burnout contributes to a fourfold decrease in job satisfaction, while doctors experiencing burnout are 2.2 times more likely to have made a medical error in the past three months. Additionally, the emotional toll of patient suffering, navigating difficult diagnoses, and making life-or-death decisions take an emotional toll. As these challenges mount, healthcare systems become increasingly stretched, with workforce shortages compounding existing pressures.
'With the GCC healthcare sector undergoing rapid transformation and a sizable workforce already employed in the industry, prioritizing workforce wellbeing is more critical than ever. Beyond benefiting employees, efforts in this area could deliver clear financial gains and drive broader improvements across the sector, enhancing overall system performance,' said Irfan Merali, Partner at Strategy& Middle East.
The business impact
The impact on personal wellbeing also extends to financial and systemic repercussions, with poor wellbeing driving absenteeism, staff turnover, and declining job satisfaction, creating a vicious cycle that harms both healthcare workers and patients. Research shows that prioritizing workforce wellbeing leads to an increase of up to 25% in productivity, a 17% reduction in absenteeism and an 11% decrease in staff turnover. This also includes an overall impact on the sector including higher job satisfaction, fewer medical errors, and enhanced patient outcomes – and a system-wide potential saving of US$ 2.5 billion in the GCC.
Adopting a pro-active approach
The research suggests healthcare providers adopt a structured approach that combines preventative and intervention strategies to help drive improvements:
Primary interventions, which aim to eliminate or mitigate workplace stressors at their source, could help to foster long-term improvements over temporary morale boosts. By assessing the work environment, organizational practices, and job roles, healthcare institutions can tackle issues such as excessive workloads, rigid shifts, and role ambiguity.
Secondary interventions, focus on empowering healthcare workers with the skills and strategies to cope with stressors that cannot be avoided or eliminated, such as high patient volumes, ethical dilemmas, and emotional strain. This can be achieved through resilience training, stress management workshops, mindfulness programs, and peer support networks to help employees navigate high-pressure situations effectively.
Tertiary interventions, designed to assist healthcare professionals already experiencing significant stress-related symptoms can ensure they receive the support needed to recover and reintegrate effectively. Access to counseling, physiotherapy and employee assistance programs can help professionals recover, reduce the risk of physical strain and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, as well as return to optimal functioning. Given that healthcare organizations already provide similar services to patients, there is an opportunity to extend these resources to employees in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.
'A resilient healthcare system depends on healthy, supported professionals who can meet evolving demands. Investing in workforce wellbeing isn't just the right thing to do; it is essential to create a resilient system that enables better outcomes for all. By prioritizing their wellbeing, the sector ensures long-term quality, efficiency, and sustainability of the entire healthcare system," said Dr. Christelle Abou Nader, Manager at Strategy& Middle East.
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