DUBAI. Leading international management consultancy McKinsey & Co. has said that healthcare providers in the Gulf – both public and private – are grappling with an acute shortage of clinical staff. “The shortage of medical professionals is a worldwide phenomenon but is particularly severe in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries where the output of new national medical graduates cannot keep pace with members’ population increase. As a result, reliance on physicians and nurses from overseas – comprising up to 80 percent of staff in some countries – will continue for the foreseeable future,” said the consultancy in a recent report. Staffing problems are likely to be discussed at the Arab Health Congress this month, the series of conferences providing continuing medical education accredited events to healthcare professionals throughout the region. The congress takes place alongside Arab Health, the region’s premier health event, from January 28-31, 2008, in Dubai. McKinsey estimates that total GCC healthcare spending will reach more than $60 billion by 2025, up from $12 billion today.

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