UAE Hailed as Global Health Model, Abu Dhabi Finance Week a Donor Engagement Platform

The World Health Organization's regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean praised the UAE's healthcare system as world-class during Abu Dhabi Finance Week. But the comments came against a stark backdrop: maternal and child mortality rates across the region vary dramatically, with some countries seeing 600 deaths per 100,000 births while others record just 12.

Hanan Balkhy told UAE's state news agency that the Emirates proved its healthcare capabilities during COVID-19, showing strong disease surveillance and coordination between public and private health systems. The UAE's performance during the pandemic demonstrated how effective healthcare delivery works when systems don't fragment care.

The praise highlights a growing divide in Middle Eastern healthcare. While the UAE positions itself as a regional medical hub with world-class facilities, six countries in the same region struggle with basic healthcare access. New WHO reports show child mortality rates under age five are actually increasing for the first time in years across parts of the region.

Balkhy's presence at the finance conference wasn't coincidental. The WHO is actively courting donors and partners to address these healthcare gaps. Morning discussions focused heavily on maternal and child health, where the statistics paint a troubling picture of inequality.

The funding challenge is stark. Healthcare spending should represent 2.5% to 5% of national budgets, but many struggling countries allocate less than 1.2%. Even where money exists, Balkhy pointed to widespread waste through unregulated medication distribution and unclear healthcare access pathways.

Here's where it gets practical: the WHO and World Bank just released guidelines for countries to use innovative financing tools. These include taxes on sugary drinks and cigarettes, with revenues directed toward healthcare improvements. It's a model that could help bridge the funding gap without requiring massive budget overhauls.

For investors and policymakers, the UAE's healthcare success story offers a template. But the regional disparities also signal opportunities for healthcare investment and development across the Middle East. The question isn't whether the region needs better healthcare infrastructure - it's how quickly countries can implement sustainable financing and delivery models.

The timing matters because health typically gets attention only during major crises like COVID-19. But as Balkhy emphasized, the goal remains universal: ensuring everyone gets healthcare access regardless of location. The UAE shows it's possible. Now the challenge is scaling that success across a region where geography shouldn't determine survival rates.