 98% of UAE employees recognize the value of health programs, yet only 70%
feel supported, revealing a critical communication gap.
 International health insurance tops UAE’s EVP rankings, outpacing global trends,
but faces underutilization and implementation challenges.

A new Cigna Healthcare study reveals a significant disconnect
between employer intentions and employee perceptions regarding health and well-being
benefits in the UAE. While HR leaders rank international health insurance as the most preferred
employee value proposition (EVP) for boosting productivity and attracting talent, only 7 in 10
employees believe their employers proactively support their health and well-being.
The report, titled Harnessing Health – Measuring the Impact of Employee Health and Well-being
Benefits, is based on a survey of 1000 managers and directors in HR and Benefits functions in
the UAE, Hong Kong, Singapore, UK and US.
A compelling 98% of UAE employees agree that a robust health and well-being program
significantly boosts productivity and creates a more positive workplace. Reflecting this
sentiment, the study reveals that UAE companies offer more health benefits than their global
counterparts, underscoring the emphasis HR leaders place on employee well-being. However,
despite these efforts, many benefits remain underutilized, indicating a critical need for improved
access and awareness among employees.
Leah Cotterill, CEO of Cigna Healthcare Middle East and Africa (outside KSA), said, “Our
survey results clearly demonstrate that health and well-being benefits are powerful drivers of
workplace performance and talent attraction. While it’s promising to see that UAE companies
are offering more health benefits than their global counterparts, there’s still work to be done in
bridging the gap between availability and utilization. To truly maximize the potential of these
benefits, employers need to adopt a more strategic approach. This means not only offering
comprehensive packages, but ensuring they’re well-communicated, easily accessible, and
aligned with local cultural values. This is crucial for fostering a healthier, more satisfied, and
ultimately more productive workforce, giving businesses a competitive edge in today's global
market.”

Key findings in the UAE include:
 Strong Preference for Health Benefits: International health insurance is not only a key
part of the EVP but also the most favored by employees, ranking higher locally
compared to its fifth place globally. This preference is also shared equally with flexible
time off and working arrangements. The UAE presents more companies offering health
benefits than the global average.

 Employer Priorities: Employee health and well-being are top priorities for HR leaders,
on par with succession planning and leadership development (15%). Over half of these
leaders believe that robust health insurance plans promote a positive company culture
and enhance employee loyalty while effectively reducing absenteeism. UAE employee
rankings are amongst the highest in being proactively supported and valued for their
health and wellbeing.
 Gap in Benefit Utilization: Despite the widespread availability of health benefits
—offered by 93% of companies— there remains a significant underutilization issue, with
preventive health tools being the least utilized. This points to a potential gap in how
these benefits are communicated and understood by employees which could be a result
of insufficient awareness, cultural resistance, or limitations in support.
 Impact on Business Outcomes: More than half of HR leaders acknowledge the
positive impact of health benefits on key business metrics, particularly employee loyalty
and fostering a good company culture. While they see health insurance as beneficial in
reducing absenteeism, their confidence wanes when it comes to its effectiveness in
decreasing turnover, suggesting a need for targeted strategies to address specific local
challenges.
 Mental Health Support: There is still a gap in mental health support, as it is the least
offered benefit in the UAE (48%) among all markets surveyed. Additionally, only 7 in 10
employees in the UAE feel that their employers proactively support their health and well-
being.
 Health and Well Being: 98% of employees in UAE agree that robust health and well-
being program leads to better productivity and more positive work environment overall.

 Consultant neurologist spots previously undetected signs in 75-year-old who was mistakenly
diagnosed with migraines
 Patient had temporal arteritis, which is inflammation of the medium-sized vessels of the
temporal artery and requires prompt medical attention
 Headache Clinic at Mubadala Health Dubai provides specialized treatment for headaches,
enabling sufferers to regain control of their lives

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, August 29, 2024: Mubadala Health Dubai, part of the M42 group,
provides specialized treatment for headaches, enabling sufferers to regain control of their lives. Utilizing
the latest research, innovative treatments and a holistic approach, Mubadala Health Dubai’s newly
launched Headache Clinic aims to improve the quality of life for patients with headaches and chronic
migraines. Recently, it helped treat a 75-year-old patient who risked possible blindness due to a
misdiagnosed condition.
The patient had been experiencing uncontrollable headaches for the past few months and had
previously been misdiagnosed with migraines. Due to the persistence of these headaches, the patient
was referred to Mubadala Health Dubai, where a correct diagnosis of temporal arteritis was made by Dr.
Mohammad Aghil Ghatali, Consultant Neurologist. Temporal arteritis is an inflammation of the
medium-sized vessels of the temporal artery. This condition commonly causes severe, localized
headaches typically felt in the temples. Other symptoms may include scalp tenderness, jaw pain while
chewing and visual disturbances. Notably, temporal arteritis can lead to visual loss, which poses a
significant risk of blindness if left untreated.
Inflammation of the temporal arteries can affect the arteries that supply blood to the eyes, leading to
reduced blood flow and potentially causing sudden vision loss. This condition, known as anterior
ischemic optic neuropathy, can result in permanent blindness if not treated quickly. It’s crucial to start
treatment with corticosteroids as soon as possible to reduce inflammation and prevent serious
complications like blindness.
Dr. Ghatali said: “I saw the patient in the clinic’s corridor rocking and pacing due to his pain. Immediate
treatment with high-dose prednisone not only relieved the patient’s headache but also prevented
potential blindness. This success story highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis and timely
intervention.”
The patient commented: “It was due to Dr. Ghatali’s extensive experience that my condition was
identified and treated. I am finally free of my debilitating symptoms, and I was shocked to learn that I
could have gone blind if my condition hadn’t been caught in time.”
Giant cell arteritis is a type of vasculitis, which means inflammation of the blood vessels. It is an
autoimmune disease, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. In this case,
the immune system attacks the blood vessels in the head. Both rheumatologists, who specialize in
autoimmune diseases, and neurologists, who focus on the nervous system, work together to manage
conditions like giant cell arteritis and other similar diseases.

As part of the clinic’s multidisciplinary approach, the patient was then referred to Dr. Nathalie
Chalhoub, Consultant Rheumatologist at Mubadala Health Dubai. Giant cell arteritis, also known as
temporal arteritis, is a type of vasculitis, characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels. It is an
autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, specifically
targeting the blood vessels in the head. Both rheumatologists, who specialize in autoimmune diseases,
and neurologists, who focus on the nervous system, collaborate to manage conditions such as giant cell
arteritis and other similar diseases.
The clinic treats a variety of headaches from migraines to cluster, tension and sinus headaches. Its team
of experts conducts thorough evaluations, including medical history reviews and physical examinations,
to accurately diagnose the type and the cause of headaches and provide continuous support throughout
the treatment journey.

MAS Clinic, a leading dental care provider in the UAE
renowned for providing best dentofacial services with cutting-edge innovation and advanced
techniques, announces its pioneering approach in the field of dentistry by incorporating AI technology
for radiographical assessment and communication tools.
MAS Clinic is the first clinic in the UAE to utilize AI second opinion services from Pearl, provider of AI
solutions in the dental industry. This progressive move underscores MAS Clinic’s commitment, to
advancing care improving diagnostic precision, enhancing patient interactions, and boosting overall oral
health results.
MAS Clinic’s integration of AI technology in services marks a major advancement in the field. The second
opinion tool powered by AI offers dentists a system that can accurately pinpoint difficult findings in 2D
radiographs. This cutting-edge technology improves the detection of concealed cavities and other
possible concerns enabling intervention to avoid complications and promote superior long term oral
health outcomes for patients.
The implementation of AI at MAS Clinic represents a step forward in dental care offering improved
diagnostic precision by minimizing mistakes and pinpointing subtle shades, with tenfold the accuracy of
human vision. Moreover, this AI system streamlines the analysis of X rays promptly producing detailed
and user-friendly reports. By providing patients with visual aids and precise numerical information, this
technology significantly boosts their capacity to make well informed choices regarding their dental
wellbeing.
MAS Clinic acknowledges the significant impact AI can have on healthcare. Although AI is not meant to
supplant human intelligence, it functions as a valuable assistant improving the precision and
effectiveness of dental assessments. The swift advancement of AI in the field may lead to varying levels
of acceptance but MAS Clinic is dedicated to leading the way in embracing this evolution.
“Being an adopter of AI is essential to showcase our clinic’s dedication to delivering outstanding care to
our patients”, said Dr. Khalil Karam, MAS Center Manager. “At MAS Clinic, we take pride in partnering
with leading experts in the AI sector to introduce advancements to the dental field”.
The healthcare sector is moving towards using metrics and data visualization to make decisions, which
not only makes information clearer but also helps improve patient health outcomes. As AI technology

advances, its role in improving communication including interactions will be crucial for better health
management and overall wellbeing especially for individuals with impairments.