UAE Healthcare Market (Diabetes Care)

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has one of the world's highest prevalence
rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Almost 1 million adults in the United
Arab Emirates (UAE) have diabetes. In addition, approximately 40.7% of adults
(aged 20–79 years) with type 2 diabetes mellitus are unaware that they have
the condition. The prevalence of diabetes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
was reported by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) to be 16.3%
compared to 9.3% worldwide.

Diabetes prevalence refers to the percentage of people ages 20-79 who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes in UAE.

❖ Investment
A lot of clinics and hospitals are available in United Arab Emirates
for the treatment of diabetes. They can help patient to manage
their diabetes and they can suggest a number of treatments
depending on patient’s own individual needs like insulin, tablets,
medication, weight loss surgery, diet plan, exercise and emotional
support. But approximately all of them lacks in use of technology
for the treatment of diabetes.

In western countries, to understand patient’s health, they receive

a connected starter kit that includes a wearable band that
measures heart rate and heart rate variability, respiration rate,
physical activity, skin temperature, and sleep patterns. They are
also provided with a wearable blood glucose monitor. The kit then
collects data in real-time, with real-time insights and risk factors
identified for each patient via artificial intelligence (AI) and
machine learning.
 With the help of collected data, clinics understand patient’s health
that allows them to be more present with patients in-clinic and
prescribe care more effectively. In between visits, this technology
also allows to connect with patients and provide meaningful
support. Technology allows to offer a more human-centric
approach to diabetes care.

Studies have shown that by using integrated technology, a

reduction of just 1% point in HbA1c results in a 21% decrease in
end-point diseases related to diabetes, a 21% reduction in
diabetes-related deaths, a 14% decrease in heart attacks, and a
37% reduction in microvascular complications. Newly-released
results demonstrate that technology care model is not only
effective, but it vastly outperforms traditional models of care. The
cost of investing in these new models of care for diabetes is
exponentially less than doing nothing. So, investors have a great
opportunity to initiate this kind of startup for diabetic care in UAE.

❖ Currency Convertibility
➢ There are no currency restrictions in the UAE as residents and
non-residents are entitled to hold fully convertible off shore or on
shore bank accounts in the UAE or overseas in dirhams or in
foreign currency.
❖ Demand/ Supply of beds in hospitals:
➢ No data available. Even we checked for all diabetes centers in
UAE. They did not provide information for bed supply and demand.
❖ Payers
Sector For Locals For Expatriates

Insurance/ Out-of-
Public Government
pocket
Insurance/ Out-of-
Private Out-of-pocket
pocket
❖ Revenue Streams
Public Sector: People can access get diabetic care from the hospitals and
clinics covered by their health insurance. For UAE nationals, public
hospitals and clinics are low-cost-to-free.
Spend/ Patient = $2109 per year (According to IDF UAE diabetes report)

Private Sector:
Average cost for outpatient: AED 250 to AED 700 (According to
www.dubaisbest.com)

❖ Insurances
Most health insurance companies do not pay for critical services such as
nurse educators, dieticians or medical devices needed to provide a good
way of life for juvenile Type 1 Diabetics.

➢ Government provides health Insurance for the treatment of diabetes to

UAE’s nationals.
▪ Treatments such as injections and medications are
covered. But monitoring devices and other disposables
such as glucose-measuring strips, are not covered
since those are for monitoring reasons, not treatment.

Abu Dhabi

Under the 'Thiqa' programme, Abu Dhabi Government

provides full medical coverage for all UAE nationals
living in Abu Dhabi. Citizens get a Thiqa card, through
which they get comprehensive access to a large
number of private and public healthcare providers
registered within Daman's network. It also includes
broader geographical coverage and extra health
benefits.

Dubai

Saada is a health insurance programme for the citizens

in the emirate of Dubai. It provides insurance coverage
to citizens who do not currently benefit from any
government health programme in the emirate of Dubai.
 Sharjah

The Department of Health Insurance at Sharjah Health

Authority oversees health insurance coverage for UAE
nationals in the emirate of Sharjah.

Ajman

The Government of Ajman provides all its residents

with health insurance. An updated list of hospitals,
clinics and pharmacies approved by the health
insurance network and claim forms can be accessed
from Ajman Government site.

All other emirates provide free treatment at any government

hospital for UAE nationals.

➢ Insurance Schemes for Expats:

• Generally, diabetes is covered as a standard plan,
especially with group plans where the general clause
of pre-existing conditions does not apply.
• Treatments such as injections and medications are
covered. But monitoring devices and other disposables
such as glucose-measuring strips, are not covered
since those are for monitoring reasons, not treatment.
• In Abu Dhabi, it is mandatory that company provide
private health insurance for employees and their
dependents. Dependents include one spouse and up to
three children under the age of 18. Health insurance
coverage for a fourth child is the responsibility of the
employee.
• In Dubai, companies only need to provide coverage for
employees. It is recommended by the Dubai
government that they provide coverage for
employees’ families as well as healthcare
coverage is required by law.
 • In the northern emirates of Ajman, Ras Al-Khaimah,
Sharjah, Fujairah, and Umm Al-Quwain, it is not
mandatory for employers. But it is mandatory for all
residents of UAE to have health insurance.

Prediabetes and diabetes prevalence and risk factors comparison between expats and UAE nationals.

❖ Stakeholders
Administrators Innovators
• Ministry of Health and • GluCare Integrated
Prevention (MoHAP) Diabetes Center
• Dubai Health Authority • Sheba Medical Center
(DHA) • Imperial College London
• Department of Health Abu Diabetes Centre
Dhabi (SEHA) • SKMC Center for Diabetes
• Sharjah Healthcare & Endocrinology
Authority (SHA) • HealthPlus Diabetes &
Endocrinology Center
 Patient: Expectations

90 % of patients of diabetes require medication regimens and

continuous monitoring of insulin present in their body because they
do not want to panic about their disease.

• Insurances
Ask for innovative concepts? Yes. Insurance providers are looking for some
innovative concepts that can help them to get maximum market share.

Oppenness for new services? Yes.

Most desirable USPs of Private Provides

• The cost of diabetes treatment is covered but monitoring devices and

other disposables such as glucose-measuring strips, are not covered
since those are for monitoring reasons, not treatment.
❖ Competition
5 major market players:

o GluCare Integrated Diabetes Center

o Sheba Medical Center

5 best innovators known for best innovative treatment

o GluCare Integrated Diabetes Center

o Sheba Medical Center
o Imperial College London Diabetes Centre
o Dubai Diabetes Centre
o Prime Hospital Dubai

5 best specialized providers (Oncology)

o GluCare Integrated Diabetes Center

o Imperial College London Diabetes Centre
o SKMC Center for Diabetes & Endocrinology
o HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center
o Valiant Clinic & Hospital | Best Hospital in Dubai