DUBAI, UAE — The healthcare industry in the GCC region is experiencing rapid growth, with projected spending expected to reach US$ 135.5 billion by 2027, reflecting an annual increase of 5.4 percent since 2021.
Recognizing the need for proactive measures in healthcare, GCC governments are making substantial efforts in preventive care to alleviate the strain on hospitals and existing healthcare resources, Tarek Abdelaziz, General Manager at P&G Health, Middle East, told TRENDS in an interview.
“GCC Governments’ increased focus and strong efforts towards a more preventative care model, healthcare infrastructure expansion, and capacity building strategies to offer integrated healthcare services, are laudable and indeed the need of the hour,” he added.
According to the “GCC Healthcare Industry” report by Alpen Capital, the Current Healthcare Expenditure (CHE) in the GCC has seen significant growth, with an estimated Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.5 percent between 2020 and 2022, reaching US$ 104.1 billion.
This expansion was driven by the rapid development of both inpatient and outpatient markets during the pandemic. The report indicates that the percentage of CHE to GDP in the region has returned to pre-pandemic levels, with a projected decrease from 6.1 percent in 2020 to normalcy in 2021.
Anticipating further growth, the report forecasts a CAGR of 5.4 percent between 2022 and 2027, resulting in the GCC CHE market reaching US$ 135.5 billion.
The region’s increasing population, high prevalence of non-communicable diseases, rising cost of treatment, medical inflation, and the penetration of health insurance are cited as key factors driving this growth.
The UAE is expected to exhibit the highest growth rate among GCC countries, with a CAGR of 7.4 percent. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are projected to maintain their dominance in the region’s CHE market by 2027.
To accommodate the region’s population growth, the report indicates a need for an additional 12,207 hospital beds in the GCC by 2027. This projection reflects an annual increase of 1.9 percent, starting from 2022, resulting in a total of 133,731 available beds.
Saudi Arabia is expected to require over 8,197 additional beds between 2022 and 2027, representing 67.2 percent of the region’s total additions. Meanwhile, the UAE is projected to need more than 1,584 beds over the next five years.
Tarek Abdelaziz underscores the transformation of the GCC healthcare industry from a curative care to a preventive care model. He emphasizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the significance of preventive healthcare, leading to a shift in consumer attitudes towards health management.
“Today’s consumers are more aware, have more access to healthcare-related information, are interested, and expect to play an active role in their healthcare choices,” said Abdelaziz.
Regarding advancements in healthcare technologies, Abdelaziz highlights digital screening tools for condition diagnosis, virtual and online interactive continuing medical education programs like the ‘P&G Health Academy,’ and the growing e-commerce sector in healthcare. Telemedicine and virtual consultations have revolutionized the delivery of healthcare services.
Abdelaziz further sheds light on peripheral neuropathy in the Middle East, stating that it affects a significant portion of the population, particularly those with diabetes.
Peripheral neuropathy refers to a chronic condition characterized by damage to the peripheral nervous system, resulting in symptoms such as numbness, tingling, prickling, and burning sensations in the hands and feet.
According to Abdelaziz, approximately 34-35 percent of the population in the UAE, particularly individuals with diabetes, experience peripheral neuropathy.
Saudi Arabia ranks second highest in the Middle East and seventh globally in terms of diabetes rates. Over 65 percent of diabetic patients in Saudi Arabia suffer from painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
It is estimated that one in ten individuals, and one in two people with diabetes, will experience some form of peripheral neuropathy or neuropathic pain during their lifetime. Diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) refers to nerve disorders ranging from mild to severe, affecting 60-70 percent of people with diabetes.
Despite the distressing symptoms, approximately 80 percent of patients remain undiagnosed. High-risk factors for peripheral nerve injury include diabetes mellitus, obesity, alcohol abuse, and deficiencies in B vitamins.
Patients with peripheral neuropathy report a decreased quality of life, including diminished physical ability and disrupted sleep. Without early diagnosis and treatment, peripheral neuropathy often progresses to neuropathic pain, which is associated with several comorbidities that negatively impact the patient’s life, such as depression, insomnia, and anxiety.
Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy has been linked to disruptions in employment and productivity, with a reported 59 percent decrease in productivity among patients in the workforce.
The high rates of diabetes-related morbidity and mortality in the Middle East are largely attributable to undetected cases of peripheral neuropathy. As up to half of the patients do not exhibit any symptoms, they are frequently misdiagnosed and subject to irreversible damage. Abdelaziz emphasizes that a lack of awareness among patients and healthcare professionals is a significant contributing factor to the underdiagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in clinical practice.