UAE’s growing cancer burden raises concerns over health system capacity

One key challenge is the workforce shortage.

UAE’s growing cancer burden poses challenges for its health system capacity despite continuous efforts to expand healthcare access and quality, said BMI.

Whilst the country has made efforts to modernise its healthcare system through expanded public sector spending, mandatory health insurance, and public-private partnerships, the rising burden is expected to strain system capacity, particularly in oncology.

“The 2023 Cancer Incidence Report of the UAE presents that there were a total of 7,098 newly diagnosed malignant cancer cases, with 389 in situ cases,” the report said.

Workforce shortages will be notable, with a National Library of Medicine study estimating there are only 100 medical oncologists in the UAE as of August 2022.

Most professionals are concentrated in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Meanwhile, the uneven distribution is expected to increase patient travel to major urban centres.