Middle East suffering major medical shortage

A drastic shortage of healthcare professionals, inconsistent levels of care and rising costs are among key findings of a recent study into Middle East healthcare.

The Booz & Co research covered hospitals across the region, finding that healthcare in general faces several unprecedented challenges in these areas over the coming years.

A labour shortage of healthcare professionals is highlighted as the number one concern. This fits with the findings of a separate study conducted recently by the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD). This estimated the capital would need up to 102 per cent more doctors during the next decade, with the number needing to rise from 5,300 to as many as 10,700. The number of nurses will also need to rise by as much as 101 per cent, from 6,900 to 13,900.

According to Ali Hashemi, principal at Booz & Company, a focus on strategic positioning, medical service delivery and shared services will aid hospitals in overcoming these difficulties.

The Booz & Company report advises that providers shift their focus from simply administering treatment to holistically managing each patients’ care. In building the ‘hospital of the future’, changing healthcare demands, capacity constraints and the competitive environment need to be taken into account, the study recommends.