ArabianBusiness.com - Middle East Business News
Saturday, 21 November 2009 09:26 UAE time

YOUR DIRECTORY /

| Share |

Transplant patients suffer location-lotto

by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it  on Tuesday, 02 December 2008
Expatriate renal patients in the UAE are suffering a location lottery when it comes to funding for  transplant care.

EXCLUSIVE: Expatriate renal patients are being forced to remain on dialysis because of a location lottery in the funding of transplant care, Medical Times has learnt.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) offers all patients with kidney failure free dialysis as long as they have a valid residency and healthcare cover.

The policy ensures dialysis is available to both nationals and expatriates because many health insurance schemes do not to cover the condition.

Story continues below
advertisement

But when it comes to kidney transplants funding depends on where a patient lives. Each emirate offers different levels of financial assistance to its expatriate patients, according to renal physicians.

Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) offers both nationals and expatriates with renal failure free transplants, including work-up and follow up care for as long as necessary, a HAAD official confirmed.

However, expatriate patients in Dubai only get the cost of their transplant covered if they have been on dialysis first. In Sharjah the full cost of care has to be paid by the patient.

The situation has come to light following an exclusive report in November's MT that revealed up to 40 patients from the UAE were traveling to Asia each year to buy illegal organs.

"Everyone gets dialysis free everywhere, but if they have a transplant then it's not so clear. There's no wonder people go to the Philippines or India for cheaper transplants," said Dr Mustafa Ahmed, a consultant nephrologist at Welcare Hospital in Dubai.

The situation left many expatriate patients from poorer countries on dialysis for years, added Dr Iman Akhtarul, a nephrologist at Al Quassimi Hospital, Sharjah.

"Those who can not afford it do not go for transplant. A lot of people stay on dialysis, some people for 10 years, just because it's free," he revealed.

| Share |


READERS' COMMENTS

Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.

Click here to post a comment


Add your Comment
All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic.
Arabian Business would like to point out that only comments relevant to the story will be published. Any containing personal insults or inappropriate language will not be approved.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *
(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments


Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.


MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM

From  Current Issue

SHARE PRICE CHECK

RELATED LINKS

  1. Abu Dhabi Health Authority»
  2. Welcare Hospital LLC»

 EMAIL ALERTS

  1. Abu Dhabi Health Authority

  2. Welcare Hospital LLC

  3. Healthcare


Tell us your story

READER COMMENTS

  1. Somali pirates free UAE-owned cargo ship 02
    21 Nov ' 09 at 07:58
    In the old days pirate ships were blown out of the water as soon as spotted.Now they have to wait until they attack a ship and then...   More  »
  2. UAE announces Eid and National Day holidays 01
    20 Nov ' 09 at 15:56
    Eid and National Day are two great occassions and very close to each other. It would be a great act for the UAE authorities to extend...   More  »
  3. Where have all the optimists gone? 01
    20 Nov ' 09 at 16:54
    Dubai unfortunate is not more in fashion, the bubble was big , the growing went fast and the down turn even faster.Many of my clients...   More  »

Read all user comments >

Gitex 2009

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM