THE WAR FOR TALENT

With a number of hospitals and clinics starting up in the GCC, the war for medical talent has begun.

ABOOMING POPULATION, A SURGE in lifestyle diseases and massive healthcare budgets have driven up demand for hospitals in the Gulf region.

The GCC’s healthcare expenditure is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 11.4 per cent by 2015, according to a report by consultancy firm Ernst & Young.

The region’s biggest health care event Arab Health was an apt reflection of that trend. In its 40th year, the event brought in 120,000 visitors from around the world. Around 4,000 exhibitors showcased their solutions and products with countries such as Bahrain, Indonesia and Thailand exhibiting for the first time.

Last year was also especially beneficial to healthcare providers, with Dubai making health insurance mandatory for all employees and Saudi Arabia opening up its health sector to private players.

But among GCC countries, the UAE remains stellar performer in the healthcare sector. According to a report by research firm Colliers International, the country alone will need an additional 5,188 beds by 2020.

Picking up this trend, hospital operators too have outlined ambitious expansion plans.

A HEALTHCARE BOOM?

Dubai-based group Aster DM Healthcare is planning to invest up to Dhs500 million in the GCC over the next two years through new clinics, hospitals and pharmacies, the group’s Corporate Strategies director Alisha Moopen told Gulf Business.

“We invested over $150 million in India over the last year and a half while a $100 million was invested in the GCC.”

Despite a region wide investment, Aster’s best performing market is the UAE, Moopen added.

The group opened its largest Aster Hospital in Dubai earlier this year and is working on two more facilities – one in Sharjah and another in Dubai.

“In terms of medical centres, we have