How PMP Professionals are Shaping UAE Healthcare?

Behind every successful healthcare project in the UAE, a PMP professional always ensures transformation, precision, and innovation. Join your hands with me in discussing a key industry in the UAE healthcare industry.

Wikipedia says that in UAE, employers must provide health insurance for one spouse and three other dependents, while in Dubai, immigrant workers must provide insurance for their dependents.  Healthcare standards in the UAE are generally high due to the government's increased involvement in spending.  According to the UAE government, the total expenditure cost from 1996 to 2003 was around $436 million. These standards have also attracted medical tourists to the UAE.  World Bank has ranked Dubai and Abu Dhabi as the region's 2nd and 3rd most popular medical tourism destinations. Recent statistics say that in the first half of 2015, Dubai attracted an estimated 260,000 medical tourists.  

With rising healthcare standards, medical tourists, and government involvement, there is an increasing demand for healthcare in the UAE.  This is where PMP professionals step in to bring in well-structured and efficient project execution. In this blog, I'll share my insights on how PMP professionals shape UAE’s healthcare.

Healthcare System in UAE

In UAE, the Ministry of Healthcare has undertaken a multimillion-dollar program.  This initiative aims to widen the scope of healthcare and develop health facilities such as medical centres, hospitals, and mental health centres in all Emirates of the UAE.  During the 1970s, there were only seven public hospitals, but now, they have increased to 40. Moreover, nearly 12 million people visit Dubai every year for healthcare services.  To keep this number going and attract wealthy UAE nationals with expatriates, Dubai undertook a project called Dubai Healthcare City in 2002. This project aimed to create a hospital-free zone providing advanced private healthcare and medical training centres.  State-of- Art General Hospital in Abu Dhabi is the very first home health care program and is projected to have a bed capacity of 143, a trauma unit.

Although the UAE healthcare system is experiencing significant growth, it also faces challenges that must be addressed to ensure quality healthcare. Let us look at the current challenges in the UAE healthcare industry.

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Challenges in UAE  Healthcare

1. Dependence on immigrant workers:

Many healthcare professionals in the UAE are immigrants. Even during the start of COVID-19 in 2020, 88 nurses and healthcare were sent to UAE. Gradually, nearly a  thousand Indian workers joined the UAE healthcare services. This over-reliance poses the risk of stability and continuity of healthcare services. Fluctuations in work can lead to a shortage of workforces, and fluctuations in services can lead to a shortage of customers.

2. Inefficient Healthcare Delivery:

The UAE healthcare system faces ineffective service delivery, including a shortage of professionals, a lack of resources, uneven distribution, and service delays. The longer wait times lower patient satisfaction and enable the residents to seek better treatment outside. The limited integration of public and private sectors affects the quality of service provided. We require a higher workforce, well-defined healthcare policies, and creative solutions to address these issues.

3. Low-Skilled Professionals:

Higher immigration of health care professionals in UAE causes a higher chance of low-skilled nurses. Sometimes, many nurses would have faced limited training, affecting the quality of patient care. Sometimes, higher workloads or insufficient facilities for the employees can lead to job dissatisfaction. This further worsens the service quality. To address this, the UAE focuses on quality employment with competitive salaries in the health sector. 

4. Limited Innovation:

The limited innovation in UAE healthcare sectors is due to the adoption of lower technology and medical treatments. The slower adoption of research-driven solutions leads to higher gaps in medical care. Thus, patients travel abroad for better medical options. To overcome these problems, the UAE has been focusing on attracting better treatment options and fostering digital healthcare solutions to enhance the service quality and retain the patients in the country. 

Modern problems require modern solutions; let us understand how technology's impact has transformed the UAE's healthcare project.

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The Impact of Technology on Healthcare Project Management in UAE

The ever-evolving technology has brought significant changes in UAE’s healthcare industry. The changes improve the quality of services and successfully impact healthcare project management. Here’s how technology drives advancement and success in healthcare:

1. Telemedicine

Telemedicine has revolutionised healthcare and brought medical services to our doorstep. One step ahead, they have also reached the patients in remote areas. This expansion has brought employment to various immigrants and facilitates hiring only proficient staff.  Thus reducing the risk of inefficient workers in healthcare projects. Telemedicine requires an understanding of software for virtual consultations. Hence, the recruitment team can include employees with innovation and strategies in healthcare care. 

2. Integration of  Artificial Technologies and Machine Learning

AI has dramatically changed the UAE healthcare industry by analysing abnormalities and providing medical images. Quick diagnosis helps the medical staff detect the issue and work on speeding up recovery with accuracy. In addition, AI also improves operation efficiency in hospitals and medical care units by automating tasks such as patient record management, billing, scheduling appointments, and sending appointment reminders on time. This transition reduces human errors and lowers the burden on healthcare staff, allowing them to focus more on quality patient care. 

3. Implementation of Robotics 

Robotics play a vital role in the healthcare industry by assisting in surgeries and medicines. They also provide a higher precision of the disease and diagnose them quickly. Rather than relying on specialists, surgeons and supporting staff can use these robots during medical emergencies. These quick initiatives drive the trust and credibility of patients and attract medical tourists higher and higher. Moreover, the count of nationals travelling out of UAE for advanced treatments can also be reduced. Robotics perform routine tasks better than humans, such as assisting patient mobility, consistent vital care and signals.  Thus reducing the workload on human staff and allows them to work more efficiently. 

The impact of technology on the healthcare sector in the UAE is significant. Technological advancements have enabled demographic shifts and increased patient expectations. 

Project management is crucial to a country’s vision to establish an economic healthcare city. PMP professionals shall be instrumental in shaping the healthcare industry for future generations.

Also Read: How Do PMP Experts Support UAE Government Projects?

Role of PMP Professionals in the Future of UAE Healthcare

Project management Professionals are essential in driving the healthcare transformation in UAE. The impact extends beyond the present and shapes a future where the next generation benefits from the technology. 

PMP professionals have expertise in planning, executing, and managing risk in healthcare projects. They build resilient healthcare by maintaining compliance and efficiency throughout the project lifecycle. 

1. Ensure Strict Regulatory Compliance: 

PMP professionals assist healthcare organisations that align with UAE regulatory requirements. They supervise the necessary accreditation required to maintain health standards. They ensure that all the policies and procedures align with national and international guidelines  For example, PMP professionals help you stay updated with healthcare regulations set by the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi and those set by the Ministry of Health and Prevention. In addition, they can assist medical units in meeting the accreditation requirements set by Joint Commission International and other global standards. 

2. Implementing Digital Healthcare:

Project managers successfully integrate technology and implement digital healthcare projects. They lead the development of healthcare technologies such as AI-driven systems, cybersecurity frameworks, digital health records, and telemedicine platforms. PMP professionals coordinate between stakeholders for smooth integration and adoption of technologies. By implementing a few practices, project managers help healthcare organisations enhance operational efficiency, lessen waiting time, and increase service quality.  

The best practices implemented by PMP professionals to implement digital healthcare are:

• Applying Agile methodologies and Lean Six Sigma methodologies

• Implementing project management software like Jira, Trello and often Microsoft to track the progress.

• Continuous engagement with the stakeholders management for better collaboration in the projects

• Utilizing data analytics to measure the project's impact on patients

• Training programs to keep the healthcare professionals updated. 

3. Managing Healthcare projects:

For a country like UAE, whose goal is to build a healthcare hub, PMP professionals help oversee the new hospitals, clinics and research centres throughout the country. They ensure that all the dedicated projects are completed within the dedicated time frame and budget.  They streamline the supply chain management, manage resources and build standard projects in compliance with healthcare standards. 

Here are the four phases they follow during the management of healthcare projects:

1. Initiation Phase

2. Planning Phase

3. Execution Phase

4. Control and monitoring phase

PMP professionals help healthcare organisations to streamline operations and enhance patient outcomes.

Conclusion

The UAE's PMP professionals strive to bring creative, innovative, customer-centric, sustainable healthcare. The project management and risk management guidance will significantly impact the UAE’s vision of becoming a global leader in healthcare. In the ever-changing landscape of UAE’s healthcare, the role of PMP professionals is vital to ensure the successful execution of healthcare projects.

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