Finance World Magazine| Edition: October 2024

Exclusive to Finance World Magazine
Q. What are your current projects
and key focus areas?
I wear two hats in my current role.
The first involves attracting foreign
direct investment to Dubai’s healthcare
sector. I work closely with companies,
innovations, and start-ups to bring the
best healthcare products and services
to Dubai. I also focus on facilitating
these investments by coordinating with
various stakeholders. My second focus
is on managing PPP projects. So far,
I’ve completed two successful projects,
one in dialysis and the other in
rehabilitation. We are now working on
a digital healthcare project that will
allow us to partner with stakeholders,
provided the project proves feasible
and offers value for money.
Q. How is the UAE facilitating
smoother collaborations between
public and private sectors to ensure
successful partnerships?
The UAE has been a frontrunner in
developing laws that promote collaboration
between the public and private
sectors. In 2015, Dubai introduced the
PPP Law (Law No. 22), which acts as
a framework for such collaborations.
This law helps create a bridge between
the two sectors by offering the private
sector more opportunities to participate
in tenders and projects. One of
the key aspects of PPPs is the shared
risk between public and private entities,
which leads to better outcomes
and ensures positive key performance
indicators (KPIs). By filling the gaps in
various sectors, including healthcare,
the law facilitates smoother and more
productive collaborations.
Q. What new opportunities for PPPs
are emerging in the MENA region,
particularly in 2024?
The MENA region still presents many
opportunities for infrastructure
PPPs, particularly in areas where we
need to design, build, finance, facility
management, and eventually transfer
facilities back to the public sector.
However, I believe the future of PPPs
lies in digital and innovation-driven
fields. Emerging technologies such
as AI, telemedicine, and digital health
solutions will play a significant role
in shaping healthcare. The public and
private sectors must work together to
introduce new guidelines and standards
to regulate these areas.
Q. What are the key areas of focus
for healthcare investment in Dubai
over the next five years?
One area that stands out is mental
health. Mental health issues are expected
to rise significantly by 2030, and much
work needs to be done now to address
this challenge. While the government is
actively building policies, the private
sector must step up, whether through
partnerships or standalone initiatives
supported by financial coverage, such
as insurance schemes. Additionally,
cardiovascular diseases and oncology
remain major causes of death, which
highlights the need for ongoing investment
in these areas. Dubai’s growing
population also requires investments
in mother and child healthcare facilities,
as these will become increasingly
important in the coming years.
Q. What role does emerging technologies
like AI and telemedicine
play in shaping future of healthcare
investments?
Well, Teleconsultation and AI technology
were in development before
COVID-19, which accelerated their
adoption. These technologies will play
a major role in future healthcare, potentially
bringing services directly to
patients. Subsequently, we must focus
on screening programs and preventive
care, which can reduce costs and improve
population health and longevity.
Additionally, integrating AI into diagnostics
and treatment planning can
enhance accuracy, reduce human error,
and offer personalized care tailored
to individual patients. The healthcare
industry must also prioritize training
healthcare professionals in these technologies
to ensure smooth transitions
and maximize their impact on overall
patient outcomes.
Q. How is the Dubai Health Authority
encouraging private sector participation
in healthcare developments?
At the Dubai Health Authority, we engage
in comprehensive capacity planning.
We collaborate with other government
stakeholders and look at urban planning
projections, such as Dubai’s anticipated
population growth of 5 to 6 million by
2040. Based on these projections, we
work to accelerate the development
of essential social infrastructure. The
government alone cannot meet these
growing demands, so collaboration
with the private sector is crucial. According
to our investment guide, 80%
of Dubai’s inpatient and outpatient
services are currently managed by the
private sector, with the remaining 20%
handled by the public sector.
Q. What advice would you like to
give to our readers?
Health should be taken very seriously
as it is fundamental to all aspects of life.
Without good health, productivity suffers.
Health encompasses both physical and
mental well-being. Individuals should
prioritize health screenings, maintain
proper diets, and avoid triggers that
may negatively impact their health.
For organizations and society, the focus
should be on prevention projects,
addressing population health needs,
and working to reduce mortality and
morbidity rates. This requires close
collaboration with communities and
stakeholders from both public and
private sectors.
Oct 2024 www.thefinanceworld.com 47