UAE Requires Over 1,700 Psychiatrists to Meet Growing Mental Health Service Demand

The Emirates has 0.3 psychiatrists per 100,000 people and 14,000 psychiatric beds for the same population size.

The UAE requires 1,759 psychiatrists and 3,381 additional psychiatric beds to meet the growing demand for mental health services as the population is projected to reach nearly 11 million by 2030, according to Knight Frank’s Mental Health Report for the Middle East and Africa. The young demographic and societal changes increase the risk of mental health conditions, especially among individuals aged 20-39, and the aging population over 60 will also require mental healthcare.

Currently, the UAE has 0.3 psychiatrists per 100,000 people and 14,000 psychiatric beds for the same population size. The country faces a shortage of inpatient facilities, with only one dedicated mental health facility serving the entire population.

Shehzad Jamal from Knight Frank emphasizes the need to make mental health services more accessible and affordable, streamline regulatory processes, and invest in digital technology for mental health. The incidence rates of anxiety and depression in the UAE are comparable to the UK, but the UAE has significantly fewer psychiatric beds per capita. Dr. Gireesh Kumar notes that addressing the rising burden of mental health conditions will require additional investment in both preventive and curative care.

News Source: Khaleej Times