Health insurer policy must change to help UAE cancer patients, charities say



Changes to health insurance are urgently needed to help cancer patients deal with the financial burden many face when they are unable to work due to ill health.

Although more expensive packages cover the cost of some cancer treatments and screenings, basic-package health insurance falls well short of paying for all related costs.

However, discussions are under way that could see that change, in a move that would be widely welcomed by cancer charities, which often have to fill in the funding gaps by offering support to sufferers.

Those behind the growing network of national support groups also want a federal UAE cancer registry for all government and private hospitals, to help track changing trends and pinpoint areas in need of improvement.

Low-paid workers with only the very basic health insurance are most vulnerable to the financial impact of cancer, said Nora Al Suwaidi, director general of Cancer Patient Care Society - Rahma.

“The cost of medicines and cancer care is high and, in some cases, insurance companies fall short,” she said.

“We have patients in labour camps, their family members and widows who can't even afford the ride to the hospital, let alone the high cost of treatment.

“Palliative care centres are also limited in the UAE. This requirement should be addressed by both government and private hospitals.”

Ms Al Suwaidi would like to see Dubai Health Authority, Health Authority Abu Dhabi and the Ministry of Health and Prevention provide clear guidance and some mandatory services to cancer patients post-diagnosis, and for terminally ill cancer patients.

Rahma offers financial assistance to patients who cannot afford treatment and also covers the costs of a second opinion on the diagnosis. In addition, it provides support through focus groups, oncology massages and psychological help through counselling.

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The charity helps bone-marrow transplant patients in the UAE who may need to go overseas to India or Turkey for treatment by funding travel costs where it can.

Although the UAE is not among the 50 worst cancer countries, according to the World Health Organisation, statistics show about 12 new cases are reported daily.

It is the third-leading cause of death in the UAE after cardiovascular disease and diabetes and it is recognised that a large number of cancer deaths could be prevented by modifying or avoiding key risk factors.

Early detection, accurate diagnosis, effective treatment and palliative care should help increase cancer survival rates and reduce suffering.

Al Jalila Foundation, through its A’awen programme, provides support, treatment and medical care to UAE patients who are unable to afford quality treatment.

Since its inception in 2013, Al Jalila Foundation has supported more than 270 patients, including 62 children from 29 countries with a number of chronic illnesses and life-threatening conditions.

“The struggle many patients face is not only emotional but financial, as the required treatment can be very expensive and often patients’ medical insurance is insufficient,” said Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation.

“Our A’awen programme offers hope and healing to patients in need of quality medical care.”

The top five cancers in Abu Dhabi in 2014 were: breast, colorectal, thyroid, leukaemia and cervical.

Data accuracy is viewed as crucial in providing a meaningful cancer control plan to patients, and to help reduce its prevalence in the country.

Cancer experts have said a national registry would help authorities understand which types of cancers are becoming more common. This, in turn, will help health authorities develop appropriate measures to offer patients the best possible support.

Most private hospitals are currently excluded from the existing UAE cancer registry.

“Data-keeping is essential via registry and it’s an international norm,” Ms Al Al Suwaidi said.

“Having the data will help track different forms of the cancers and help understand which kind of cancer is prevalent in the UAE population.

“These measures will prolong the life of cancer patients.”

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Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
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Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine

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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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Day 1, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Dimuth Karunaratne had batted with plenty of pluck, and no little skill, in getting to within seven runs of a first-day century. Then, while he ran what he thought was a comfortable single to mid-on, his batting partner Dinesh Chandimal opted to stay at home. The opener was run out by the length of the pitch.

Stat of the day - 1 One six was hit on Day 1. The boundary was only breached 18 times in total over the course of the 90 overs. When it did arrive, the lone six was a thing of beauty, as Niroshan Dickwella effortlessly clipped Mohammed Amir over the square-leg boundary.

The verdict Three wickets down at lunch, on a featherbed wicket having won the toss, and Sri Lanka’s fragile confidence must have been waning. Then Karunaratne and Chandimal's alliance of precisely 100 gave them a foothold in the match. Dickwella’s free-spirited strokeplay meant the Sri Lankans were handily placed at 227 for four at the close.

ABU DHABI T10: DAY TWO

Bangla Tigers v Deccan Gladiators (3.30pm)

Delhi Bulls v Karnataka Tuskers (5.45pm)

Northern Warriors v Qalandars (8.00pm)

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

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Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm

Transmission: CVT auto

Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km

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Price: from Dh195,000 

RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile

Started: 2016

Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel 

Based: Ramallah, Palestine

Sector: Technology, Security

# of staff: 13

Investment: $745,000

Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors

RESULTS

6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $55,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Rajeh, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi (trainer)

6.35pm: Oud Metha Stakes – Rated Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
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7.10pm: Jumeirah Classic – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner: Sovereign Prince, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby

7.45pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer

8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 2 (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Hot Rod Charlie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill

8.55pm: Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Withering, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass

9.30pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Creative Flair, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

The specs

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Engine: 6.2-litre V8

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