Preventative medicine has the ability to transform the healthcare landscape in the GCC in addition to providing new opportunities and revenue streams for healthcare providers. With falling oil prices and people across the region feeling a tightening of the purse strings, it is time for the healthcare industry, both providers and insurers, to act now.

The gulf region has enjoyed rapid economic development over the last 30 years. As a result, the kinds of healthcare challenges the region faces have changed dramatically. Where communicable disease and malnutrition were once the major hurdles to be overcome, the Gulf States must now contend with lifestyle conditions such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Indeed, as much as 20% of the UAE population suffer from diabetes, placing the country at 16th place in the global ranking for highest rates of the disease. In addition, according to the Health Authority Abu Dhabi, “cardiovascular disease accounted for 36.7% of all deaths in 2013”. According to Dr Nooshin Bazargani of the Dubai Health Authority the average age of people suffering from heart attacks in Dubai was recently revealed to be just 49, due, in large part, to diabetes, tobacco use and hypertension.