Taking care of one’s health has never been more important now as people navigate a post-pandemic world.
The billion-dollar healthcare industry – hitting $18.2 billion in 2018 – has continued its growth in recent years, accelerated by Covid-19.
Although relatively severe in many parts of the world, the pandemic’s impact on the UAE was toned down by the government’s quick response mechanism.
Still, the pandemic offered many invaluable lessons about healthcare, and the concept of holistic medicine in particular, has gained more traction as people become more conscious about their overall well-being.
“(Holistic medicine) focuses on the mind, body, spirit and emotions and ensures they are all in tune and in optimum condition so you can achieve your best possible health and wellness,” Hoda Makkawi, a family doctor and holistic medicine consultant at Euromed Clinic in Dubai, said.
“It is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing,” she told Arabian Business.
This approach to healthcare, although not entirely new, has sparked strong interests in the Gulf region.
For instance, in a June study by PwC, it was estimated that untreated mental illness is costing the region a whopping $3.5 billion due to severe productivity loss.
Approximately 15 percent of the GCC’s population suffer from mental health issues in any given year, the study said.
Mental health is just one of the many aspects of holistic medicine. The concept “empowers patients with the freedom of choice to change and modify their own health, through their innate ability to heal,” the Euromed practitioner said.
Although self-care plays an important aspect in holistic medicine, Makkawi said people can also ask for guidance from specialists.
Another obvious issue addressed by holistic medicine are lifestyle related – including inactivity, unhealthy diet, and other behavioural issues.
“These factors can lead to weight gain and chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease, which contributes to 28 percent of the total deaths in the UAE,” she explained.
Makkawi said it is crucial for families to prevent the onset of diseases by encouraging a healthy lifestyle.
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