population growth<\/a> \u2212 a trend across the UAE. Sharjah\u2019s population is estimated to have increased to 1.9 million in 2025 \u2212 a two per cent increase in 12 months, or an additional 37,700 people. <\/p>\nHospitals are now recruiting additional staff to meet patient demand.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere has certainly been a significant change,\u201d said Dr Shanila Laiju, group chief executive of Medcare Hospitals and Medical Centres.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe new insurance requirements have led to a broader shift in healthcare access and utilisation patterns. This is not a marginal change, it reflects a meaningful transformation in how people engage with healthcare services in the region.\u201d<\/p>\n
Recruitment drive<\/p>\n
Dr Laiju said Medcare Hospital in Sharjah had recorded a 25 per cent increase in patients over the past year, driven by the changes to insurance policy regulations, as well as a growing population. <\/p>\n
To cope with demand, Medcare has stepped up its recruitment in administration staff and support teams, as well as more healthcare professionals. <\/p>\n
Dr Laiju said giving more people access to medical insurance should make health systems more efficient, allowing doctors to get ahead of treating conditions and focus more on earlier diagnosis and preventative care.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis recruitment step has been essential to maintain quality of care and reduce waiting times amid growing demand,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom an operational perspective, it highlights the importance of readiness, be it through staffing, infrastructure or patient flow management. The system as a whole is evolving, and the response so far has been both proactive and effective.\u201d<\/p>\n
Demand for services is likely to continue to increase, as the mandate did not apply to workers issued with work permits before 2024. When those people come to renew their residency permits, their employers will also have to provide basic health insurance.<\/p>\n
Under the current rules, workers registered in the private sector \u2013 including domestic workers \u2013 living in Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and Ajman can utilise health care under a basic Dh320 ($87) insurance plan.<\/p>\n
This is an extension of a mandated health insurance provision already in place in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.<\/p>\n
That basic cover can be topped up with an additional Dh120 payment for an enhanced scheme, to cover a wider range of health services. <\/p>\n
A 27-year-old Jordanian woman living in Sharjah says she never had access to paid-for health care before, but changes to regulations ensure her employer now provides her with insurance.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the first time I\u2019ve had health insurance, as I got coverage when I joined my current workplace earlier this year, so it\u2019s all quite new to me,\u201d said the woman, who works in marketing.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom what I understand, [my plan] gives me access to a decent network of clinics and hospitals, covers both outpatient and inpatient care, and allows me to see specialists when needed. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt feels like a good balance between coverage and flexibility \u2212 not too basic, but not over the top either.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo far, I\u2019ve used it a few times for family medicine, orthopaedic care and physiotherapy sessions. It\u2019s been helpful to have support for both general check-ups and more specific treatments.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s taken a lot of the financial stress off when it comes to health care. <\/p>\n
\u201cBefore this, I would probably avoid going to a doctor unless it was urgent, but now I feel more comfortable seeking care when I need it. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s made health care feel more accessible and less of a burden,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
The changes have been a boon for providers, who have extended facilities to utilise new market opportunities.<\/p>\n
Attracting new patients <\/p>\n
Arabian Healthcare Group is hoping to attract new patients, with expansion of its Ras Al Khaimah city hospital and related clinics. Dr Raza Siddiqui, executive director at RAK Hospital, said patient volume has increased by around 7 per cent since mandatory heath cover for the Northern Emirates took effect.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur new patient registrations have risen, outpatient numbers at RAK Hospital have increased and there is a similar trend evident across our clinics,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cEmergency and inpatient admissions have also shown a modest increase, particularly in elective procedures that were previously deferred due to cost constraints. Most of this growth is driven by newly insured patients from lower-value policy categories.\u201d<\/p>\n
RAK Hospital said the largest increase was in the low-cost segment of insurance eligibility \u2212 predominantly among blue-collar workers. Other areas of growth were seen in middle-band insurance holders, such as expatriate families, who are also now required to have mandatory health insurance.<\/p>\n
The highest growth in 2025 compared with previous years at RAK Hospital have been observed in GP clinics, diagnostics and day care for minor procedures. Compared with the same first half of 2024, there have been 9 per cent more outpatient visits, while diagnostic volumes have risen by 10 per cent.<\/p>\n
To cope with greater demand, the hospital has hired more specialist doctors, nurses, radiologists and administrative staff.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks to prior capacity planning, extended clinic hours and process improvements, our facilities have been able to manage this growth without service disruption,\u201d said Dr Siddiqui.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe continue to monitor patient volumes and staffing requirements to maintain high-quality care.\u201d<\/p>\n
Key facilities
\nOlympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m\/25m training lanes
\nPremier League-standard football pitch
\n400m Olympic running track
\nNBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
\n600-seat auditorium
\nSpaces for historical and cultural exploration
\nAn elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
\nSpecialist robotics and science laboratories
\nAR and VR-enabled learning centres
\nDisruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
\nMore coverage from the Future ForumUAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsWho are the Sacklers?<\/p>\n
The Sackler family is a transatlantic dynasty that owns Purdue Pharma, which manufactures and markets OxyContin, one of the drugs at the centre of America’s opioids crisis. The family is well known for their generous philanthropy towards the world’s top cultural institutions, including Guggenheim Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, Tate in Britain, Yale University and the Serpentine Gallery, to name a few. Two branches of the family control Purdue Pharma.<\/p>\n
Isaac Sackler and Sophie Greenberg were\u00a0Jewish immigrants who arrived in New York before the First World War. They had three sons. The first, Arthur, died before OxyContin was invented. The second, Mortimer, who died aged 93 in 2010, was a former chief executive of Purdue Pharma. The third, Raymond, died aged 97 in 2017 and was also a former chief executive of Purdue Pharma.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was Arthur, a psychiatrist and pharmaceutical marketeer, who started the family business dynasty.\u00a0He and his brothers bought a small company called Purdue Frederick; among their first products were laxatives and prescription earwax remover.<\/p>\n
Arthur’s branch of the family has not been involved in Purdue for many years and his daughter, Elizabeth, has spoken out against it, saying the company’s role in America’s drugs crisis is “morally abhorrent”.<\/p>\n
The lawsuits that were brought by the attorneys general of New York and Massachussetts named eight Sacklers. This includes\u00a0Kathe, Mortimer, Richard, Jonathan and Ilene\u00a0Sackler Lefcourt, who are all the children of either Mortimer or Raymond. Then there’s Theresa Sackler, who is Mortimer senior’s widow;\u00a0Beverly, Raymond’s widow;\u00a0and David Sackler, Raymond’s grandson.<\/p>\n
Members of the Sackler family are rarely seen in public.<\/p>\n
The years Ramadan fell in MayJetour T1 specs<\/p>\n
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged<\/p>\n
Power: 254hp<\/p>\n
Torque: 390Nm<\/p>\n
Price: From Dh126,000<\/p>\n
Available: Now<\/p>\n
Read more about the coronavirusSuggested picnic spots<\/p>\n
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
\u00a0
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes\u00a0<\/p>\n
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler<\/p>\n
Price, base \/ as tested Dh57,000<\/p>\n
Engine\u00a01,170cc air\/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine<\/p>\n
Transmission\u00a0Six-speed gearbox<\/p>\n
Power\u00a0110hp) @\u00a07,750rpm<\/p>\n
Torque\u00a0116Nm @\u00a06,000rpm<\/p>\n
Fuel economy, combined\u00a05.3L \/ 100km<\/p>\n
Killing of Qassem SuleimaniFour%20scenarios%20for%20Ukraine%20war<\/p>\n
%3Cp%3E1.%20Protracted%20but%20less%20intense%20war%20(60%25%20likelihood)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E2.%20Negotiated%20end%20to%20the%20conflict%20(30%25)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E3.%20Russia%20seizes%20more%20territory%20(20%25)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E4.%20Ukraine%20pushes%20Russia%20back%20(10%25)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3EForecast%20by%20Economist%20Intelligence%20Unit%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n
The five pillars of IslamConflict, drought, famine<\/p>\n
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, \u201cseveral government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu\u2019s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a \u201cbiblical famine\u201d and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.<\/p>\n
Band Aid<\/p>\n
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it\u2019s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single\u2019s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.<\/p>\n
Specs<\/p>\n
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)<\/p>\n
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)<\/p>\n
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)<\/p>\n
On sale: Now<\/p>\n
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)<\/p>\n
BMW M5 specs<\/p>\n
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor<\/p>\n
Power: 727hp<\/p>\n
Torque: 1,000Nm<\/p>\n
Transmission: 8-speed auto<\/p>\n
Fuel consumption: 10.6L\/100km<\/p>\n
On sale: Now<\/p>\n
Price: From Dh650,000<\/p>\n
The specs: 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali<\/p>\n
Price, base \/ as tested Dh207,846 \/ Dh220,000<\/p>\n
Engine 6.2L V8<\/p>\n
Transmission Eight-speed automatic<\/p>\n
Power 420hp @ 5,600rpm<\/p>\n
Torque 624Nm @ 4,100rpm<\/p>\n
Fuel economy, combined 13.5L \/ 100km<\/p>\n
The specs
\nEngine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
\nPower:\u00a0640hp
\nTorque: 760nm
\nOn sale: 2026
\nPrice: Not announced yet
\nMore from Neighbourhood WatchKILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI<\/p>\n
Engine: 3.5-litre V6<\/p>\n
Transmission: eight-speed automatic<\/p>\n
Power: 290hp<\/p>\n
Torque: 340Nm<\/p>\n
Price: Dh155,800<\/p>\n
On sale: now<\/p>\n
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsScream%20VI<\/p>\n
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Matt%20Bettinelli-Olpin%20and%20Tyler%20Gillett%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Melissa%20Barrera%2C%20Jasmin%20Savoy%20Brown%2C%20Jack%20Champion%2C%20Dermot%20Mulroney%2C%20Jenna%20Ortega%2C%20Hayden%20Panettiere%20and%20Courteney%20Cox%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n
Test series fixtures<\/p>\n
(All matches start at 2pm UAE)<\/p>\n
1st Test\u00a0Lord’s, London from Thursday to Monday<\/p>\n
2nd Test\u00a0Nottingham from July 14-18<\/p>\n
3rd Test The Oval, London from July 27-31<\/p>\n
4th Test\u00a0Manchester from August 4-8<\/p>\n
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms<\/p>\n
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHigh%20fever%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIntense%20pain%20behind%20your%20eyes%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESevere%20headache%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENausea%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EVomiting%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESwollen%20glands%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERash%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIf%20symptoms%20occur%2C%20they%20usually%20last%20for%20two-seven%20days%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n
More from Neighbourhood Watch:The%20specs<\/p>\n
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20front-axle%20electric%20motor%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E218hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E330Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20touring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E402km%20(claimed)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh215%2C000%20(estimate)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeptember%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n
Sole survivors
\nCecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
\nGeorge Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
\nBahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
\nJim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
\nGlobal state-owned investor ranking by size<\/p>\n
1.<\/p>\n
United States<\/p>\n
2.<\/p>\n
China<\/p>\n
3.<\/p>\n
UAE<\/p>\n
4.<\/p>\n
Japan<\/p>\n
5<\/p>\n
Norway<\/p>\n
6.<\/p>\n
Canada<\/p>\n
7.<\/p>\n
Singapore<\/p>\n
8.<\/p>\n
Australia<\/p>\n
9.<\/p>\n
Saudi Arabia<\/p>\n
10.<\/p>\n
South Korea<\/p>\n
Sam Smith<\/p>\n
Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi<\/p>\n
When: Saturday November 24<\/p>\n
Rating: 4\/5<\/p>\n
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)<\/p>\n
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20M3%2C%208-core%20CPU%2C%20up%20to%2010-core%20CPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2013.6-inch%20Liquid%20Retina%2C%202560%20x%201664%2C%20224ppi%2C%20500%20nits%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20wide%20colour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F16%2F24GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201%2F2TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thunderbolt%203%2FUSB-4%20(2)%2C%203.5mm%20audio%2C%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%206E%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2052.6Wh%20lithium-polymer%2C%20up%20to%2018%20hours%2C%20MagSafe%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201080p%20FaceTime%20HD%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Support%20for%20Apple%20ProRes%2C%20HDR%20with%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%20HDR10%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204-speaker%20system%2C%20wide%20stereo%2C%20support%20for%20Dolby%20Atmos%2C%20Spatial%20Audio%20and%20dynamic%20head%20tracking%20(with%20AirPods)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Midnight%2C%20silver%2C%20space%20grey%2C%20starlight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MacBook%20Air%2C%2030W%2F35W%20dual-port%2F70w%20power%20adapter%2C%20USB-C-to-MagSafe%20cable%2C%202%20Apple%20stickers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh4%2C599%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n
GAC GS8 Specs<\/p>\n
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo<\/p>\n
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm<\/p>\n
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm<\/p>\n
Transmission: 8-speed auto<\/p>\n
Fuel consumption: 9.1L\/100km<\/p>\n
On sale: Now<\/p>\n
Price: From Dh149,900<\/p>\n
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?<\/p>\n
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.<\/p>\n
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.<\/p>\n
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.<\/p>\n
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.<\/p>\n
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.<\/p>\n
The specs<\/p>\n
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six<\/p>\n
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm<\/p>\n
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual<\/p>\n
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L\/100km<\/p>\n
On sale: Available to order now<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Hospitals in the Northern Emirates have seen an increase of up to 25 per cent in patient numbers…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":102506,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[59],"tags":[97,252,5123,253,68418,615,13546,130,66904],"class_list":["post-102505","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-health-care","tag-health","tag-health-care","tag-health-news","tag-healthcare","tag-sharjah","tag-standard","tag-story","tag-uae","tag-uae-desk-team"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/102505","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=102505"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/102505\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/102506"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=102505"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=102505"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=102505"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}