WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sizable numbers of nationals in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries say they would prefer to seek medical attention outside of their own country if they had a serious health concern. Among the GCC nationals surveyed in 2011, Kuwaitis (65 percent) are the most likely to prefer to receive medical care abroad, and Saudis (35 percent) are the least likely. Majorities of GCC nationals also do not have one personal physician they regularly see for medical care. Kuwaitis, who are the most likely to prefer medical care abroad, are also the least likely to say that they have one physician they regularly see (16 percent). Conversely, Saudis are among the least likely to prefer foreign medical care and among the most likely to have a physician they regularly see (38 percent), the poll noted. While Gallup surveys show that most GCC residents are satisfied with the availability of quality healthcare in their area, outbound medical care remains an expensive problem for Gulf governments, with the UAE alone spending $2 billion per year to send its residents abroad for treatments. Patients may choose to travel abroad because of poor quality of care or the unavailability of some medical specialties at home, such as oncology. Gulf governments have worked to prioritize healthcare in recent years, with Saudi Arabia scheduled to allot $73 billion to building hospitals and healthcare centers between 2010 and 2014 and the government of Abu Dhabi partnering with international healthcare leaders such as the Cleveland Clinic to improve healthcare conditions within the country. Still, much work remains to be done to convince GCC residents that they don't have to first travel to the airport to obtain high quality healthcare. "State governments in the GCC must consider strategies for meeting increasing care needs and improving the quality of healthcare. Possible solutions include further development of private care options for nationals and expats," it said. "Privatization of care in these countries comes with other challenges, though, such as staffing, quality oversight, and the economics of reimbursement and insurance in a public-private healthcare system." – Agencies
