Acute capacity gap hits hospitals in Abu Dhabi

Compared to the international average of between 80 and 85 per cent occupancy, critical beds in Abu Dhabi are almost full.

There is an acute capacity gap in intensive and critical care medicine in the Capital with hospital bed occupancy reaching almost 100 per cent — causing thousands to go overseas for treatment.

Paul Hetherington, senior advisor of healthcare strategy at the Health Authority — Abu Dhabi (Haad) said that compared to the international average of between 80 and 85 per cent occupancy, critical beds in Abu Dhabi are “almost full”. Beds in the intensive care, coronary care and isolation wards were consistently over the optimal 75 per cent, he said.

“Less critical but certainly a gap (also) remains in emergency medicine, neonatology, cardiology, psychiatry, paediatrics and oncology,” added Haad Director-General Dr Maha Taysir Barakat.

The Haad officials were speaking on Tuesday during the launch of the 2012 health statistics and capacity master plan.

According to the Haad, there has been little or no growth in the specialties where capacity gaps exist. In sub-specialties, paediatrics, paediatric surgery and adult surgical sub-specialities including neurosurgery, plastics, surgical oncology were all “severely undersupplied”.

Last year, over 9,000 patients were treated abroad, indicating significant capacity gaps particularly in oncology, neurosurgery, orthopaedic surgery and spinal surgery. In paediatrics (birth to 18 years), treatment included orthopaedic surgery and oncology.

Out of the total 1,272 cases approved by the medical board to travel abroad for treatment last year, the reasons included to follow-up on previous treatment abroad, due to limited services or unavailability of services here, and the complexity of treatment.

Dr Barakat said that in the past three years, the Haad had been trying to bridge these gaps by providing provisional licences to healthcare facilities and guiding them towards the health services needed in the emirate.

“We are also fast-tracking the licensing of professionals needed.”

Haad figures from 2012 showed there had been a 13 per cent growth in the number of physicians and dentists from the previous year but despite good growth in the number of clinicians licensed, only modest increases had occurred in those specialities where shortages exist. The number of facilities also increased by 11 per cent.

“Despite the growth, we still need more,” Dr Barakat stressed.

With the expanding population demand for healthcare services is expected to increase further. According to the Haad, if demand remains the same by 2022, 2,000 additional doctors will be required. By 2021, demand for inpatient services may also require over 1,300 additional beds beyond the current 3,659.

Dr Barakat said several initiatives were being put into place to bridge gaps and address healthcare issues in the emirate, with an announcement due in the coming days.

olivia@khaleejtimes.com