The United Arab Emirates has enacted federal legislation to require universal healthcare,[1] but this has not yet been implemented by all seven emirates.[2] Healthcare is provided for all nationals. While health insurance is set to be mandated for citizens of other countries. Employers are to be required to provide health insurance for expatriate workers.[3] In the UAE employers must also provide health insurance for up to one spouse and three dependents, while in Dubai expats are required to provide insurance for their dependents.[4]
Standards of health care are considered to be generally high in the United Arab Emirates, resulting from increased government spending during strong economic years. According to the UAE government, total expenditures on health care from 1996 to 2003 were AED 1,601,384,360.05 [US$436 million]. According to the World Health Organization, in 2004 total expenditures on health care constituted 2.9 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), and the per capita expenditure for health care was US$497. Healthcare currently is free only for UAE citizens.
The World Bank ranked Dubai and Abu Dhabi as being the 2nd and 3rd, respectively, most popular medical tourism destinations in the region, behind Jordan. In first half of 2015, Dubai had attracted 260,000 medical tourists.[5]
- ^ "World Health Organization Country Cooperation Strategy at a Glance: United Arab Emirates". World Health Organization. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ^ "In review: The healthcare framework in United Arab Emirates". 7 September 2022.
- ^ "Healthcare". Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, Washington, DC. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ^ "Health insurance". The official portal of the UAE government. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ^ "Medical Tourism | Healthcare Dubai | Health Without Borders | Vision Magazine". Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2015-12-22.