Media Release
Dubai, Apr 21: Prevalence of health insurance and the innovations in the sector have been instrumental in providing high-quality, affordable healthcare to UAE residents, noted experts at the conference on 'Challenges of Change: Health Insurance Trends In 2017’, held at The Palace Downtown, on Thursday April 20.
Organized by the Thumbay Hospital network of academic hospitals in association with Gulf Medical University, Ajman, the conference discussed and deliberated on the new trends and challenges and discussed opportunities in the sector.
Dr Salem Al Darmaki - advisor to the UAE minister of health and prevention was the chief guest at the conference. Thumbay Moideen - founder, president Board of Governors, Gulf Medical University, Ajman was the special guest of honor. Dr Haidar Al Yousuf - director of Health Funding, DHA delivered the keynote address. Elaborating on the evolving trends, he said that the insurance sector in the UAE is expected to experience a great deal of growth and innovation, as the country is one of the fastest growing health insurance markets in the GCC.
Other eminent speakers at the conference included Dr K P Hussein - MD and CEO, FMC Insurance, who spoke on the topic ‘History of Essential Medical Insurance in UAE’, Mohamed Al Holaibi - 3M Gulf HIS division manager, Middle East, on the topic 'Introduction to DRG' Akbar Moideen Thumbay - vice president, healthcare, Thumbay Group UAE, on the topic ‘Future of Healthcare - Thumbay Group’s Strategic plans', Dr P K Menon, director - Thumbay Labs, on ‘Predicting Health: Prognosticating life expectancy’ and Dr Yasmeen Jumma - head Thumbay Hospital Insurance Department, on ‘Challenges faced by Health Insurance Providers'.
The chief guest presented Dr Haidar Al Yousuf - director of Health Funding, DHA with the ‘Icon of Health Insurance’ award, in honor of his contributions to the advancements in health insurance. ‘Special Award of Honor and Recognition’ were awarded to the following experts from the insurance industry: Dr K P Hussain - MD and CEO, FMC Insurance, Dr Khaed Jamal - managing director, Pentacare Medical Services, Mike Collier - CEO, Amity Health Insurance, Nabil Shanawani - assistant general manager, Al Buhaira National Insurance Company and Wael Al Sharif - CEO, Takaful Emarat - insurance.
The speakers were honored with mementos. Certificates were given to the participants.