ID :
24421
Tue, 10/14/2008 - 16:28
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/24421
The shortlink copeid
Abu Dhabi healthcare investment at Dh18bn
Abu Dhabi, Oct 14, 2008 (WAM) - Investment in Abu Dhabi's health sector reached Dh18 billion and is the best kind of investment because of high returns and promising growth, said a top official.
Moreover, the sector has not been affected by the global financial crisis, which had impacted the banking and real estate sectors, Zaid Al Siksek, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Health Authority told “Emirates Business”. Al Siksek said although the property market had given very high returns and could not be matched, the health sector had also been quite successful.
"The sector has received big support from the government, especially as expatriates have been included in the health insurance system in the emirate," he said, adding the Thiqa health insurance scheme floated by the government for nationals had increased the number of patients availing treatment in private hospitals.
Speaking on the sidelines of the first Abu Dhabi Healthcare Investor Conference, Al Siksek said investment in the medical sector had increased by more than 40 per cent in the first nine months of the year compared to the same period in 2007. He said new projects valued at billions of dirhams were being carried out at the present. Over the next few years, around 2,000 beds will be added to medical services at a cost of more than Dh5 billion. He said the medical sector in the emirate was being given all facilities in terms of land allocation and provision of licences.
In addition, the government, he said, always encouraged nationals and expatriates to enter the sector. Al Siksek said the number of medical establishments is expected to increase twofold over the next three years. He said the government generally sets up about 80 per cent of the facilities in the sector, while the private sector takes care of the remaining 20 per cent. But this is set to change. "The share of the private sector participation will definitely increase following the big demand and its seriousness to implement new projects," Al Siksek said.
Meanwhile, Dr BR Shetty, Managing Director and CEO of New Medical Group, said that his group had allocated Dh2.5bn to set up a big hospital, clinics, pharmacies and medical training centres in the emirate over the next two years.
Moreover, the sector has not been affected by the global financial crisis, which had impacted the banking and real estate sectors, Zaid Al Siksek, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Health Authority told “Emirates Business”. Al Siksek said although the property market had given very high returns and could not be matched, the health sector had also been quite successful.
"The sector has received big support from the government, especially as expatriates have been included in the health insurance system in the emirate," he said, adding the Thiqa health insurance scheme floated by the government for nationals had increased the number of patients availing treatment in private hospitals.
Speaking on the sidelines of the first Abu Dhabi Healthcare Investor Conference, Al Siksek said investment in the medical sector had increased by more than 40 per cent in the first nine months of the year compared to the same period in 2007. He said new projects valued at billions of dirhams were being carried out at the present. Over the next few years, around 2,000 beds will be added to medical services at a cost of more than Dh5 billion. He said the medical sector in the emirate was being given all facilities in terms of land allocation and provision of licences.
In addition, the government, he said, always encouraged nationals and expatriates to enter the sector. Al Siksek said the number of medical establishments is expected to increase twofold over the next three years. He said the government generally sets up about 80 per cent of the facilities in the sector, while the private sector takes care of the remaining 20 per cent. But this is set to change. "The share of the private sector participation will definitely increase following the big demand and its seriousness to implement new projects," Al Siksek said.
Meanwhile, Dr BR Shetty, Managing Director and CEO of New Medical Group, said that his group had allocated Dh2.5bn to set up a big hospital, clinics, pharmacies and medical training centres in the emirate over the next two years.
