Emirates Health Economics Society Conference 2024 Addresses Sustainable Healthcare Financing Challenges

The 4th Emirates Health Economics Society (EHES) Annual Conference 2024 recently took place in Dubai. It focused on addressing both global and regional challenges in health economics. The event emphasised sustainable healthcare financing and value-based healthcare systems.

Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director-General of Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), highlighted the UAE's leadership in health economics. She attributed this to the country's visionary approach to developing a sustainable healthcare sector. "The regular issuance of the National Health Account facilitates systematic monitoring of health expenditure, aiding in the creation of evidence-based policies that ensure sustainable health financing and better resource allocation," she noted.

Dr. Sara Al Dallal, President of Emirates Health Economics Society, described the conference as a strategic platform for discussing current healthcare challenges. It also explored innovative initiatives with sessions focusing on value-based healthcare systems. Participants included health ministries from across the Gulf and experts from countries like the United States, Canada, Germany, and France.

Dr. Mohamed Farghaly, Professor of Medicine and Consultant in Diabetes, stressed balancing healthcare quality with cost-efficiency during discussions at the event. This balance was a key focus throughout the conference sessions.

The conference featured high-profile sessions on healthcare financing and catastrophic health spending. Experts discussed the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare, sharing insights on environmental health challenges and the financial impact of chronic diseases.

Al Kaabi emphasised EDE's commitment to applying health economics principles in decision-making processes. This includes innovative financing models for new drugs and treatments. She also highlighted the importance of periodic economic studies on pricing policies within the pharmaceutical market and using artificial intelligence to manage health data effectively.

Regional Collaboration and Future Prospects

The event aimed to foster collaboration among specialists to address common challenges in the Gulf region. By doing so, EHES seeks to enhance the UAE’s position as a leader in innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions.

Experts from various countries shared their perspectives on future healthcare delivery in the Gulf region during these discussions. The insights provided are expected to contribute significantly to shaping future strategies for tackling environmental health issues and chronic disease management.

The conference underscored the importance of international collaboration in overcoming regional healthcare challenges while promoting sustainable practices within the industry.

With inputs from WAM