The impact of mandatory healthcare insurance dominated discussions at the ongoing annual Healthcare Insurance Forum in Dubai, UAE.

 

The four-day forum, which has brought together leaders in the regional healthcare and health insurance provision, will conclude on January 28 at The Address Hotel Dubai Mall.

 

It is being discussed how to improve the quality and efficiency of medical provision across the region by improved healthcare insurance operations, said a statement.

 

The ideas discussed include the changing landscape of insurance in the Middle East, future trends, improving communication and collaboration between the various healthcare insurance parties in the Middle East as well as how to reduce fraud and minimise costs, it said.

 

Laila Al Jassmi, chief executive officer, Health Beyond Borders, a bespoke Dubai-based medical tourism and healthcare advisory firm focused on strategy, research and investment facilitation, and chairperson of the event this year, said: “The Healthcare Insurance Forum this year has been able to highlight the main challenges facing the regulators and policy makers in the region to maintain a sustainable health funding model for the future.” 

 

A panel discussion, moderated by Ahmed Faiyaz, senior manager, Healthcare-Mena, Transaction Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, discussed regional strategies to ensure its effective roll-out, with panelists including Dr Sherif Mahmoud, head of Healthcare Operations, AXA Insurance Gulf; Marwan Al Naboulsi, acting director, Health System Financing, Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) and Robin Ali, consultant, Health Funding Department, Dubai Health Authority.

 

The forum is allowing healthcare professionals and industry experts from across the region to come together to learn about the latest developments in the healthcare insurance sector and tackle the most common challenges faced by them and more importantly, to brainstorm and work hand-in-hand on effective and efficient models to promote the growth of the industry, said the statement.

 

The event is organised by Informa and sponsored by Optum, Truven, Hearst Health, Abbvie, 3M, Almadallah and Medstar Insurance, it added. - TradeArabia News Service