Health

Ras Al Khaimah: Booster shot

The H1N1 virus is still spreading globally - a worrying trend, no doubt - but an apparent boon to pharmaceutical industry around the world, including that of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK). While economic uncertainty has plagued most sectors recently, the historically non-cyclical health industry - and the pharmaceutical sector in particular - has been faring well, receiving an additional boost from the fallout of the global swine flu pandemic. In October, Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries (Julphar), based in RAK, announced third-quarter results, which included healthy growth in sales figures driven by strong private market demand, according to the company's statement. Overall, sales revenues were up nearly 30 per cent in the first nine months of the year, compared to the same period in 2008. Private market sales saw year-on-year (y-o-y) growth of over 40 per cent during the January-September interval, while tender sales rose by 12 per cent y-o-y. [source: OBG]

Bahrain pharmaceutical market expected to be worth US$160m by 2018

From BHD44 million (US$114m) in 2008, BMI forecasts that Bahrain's pharmaceutical market will expand to be worth BHD61 million (US$160m) in 2018. While the market will remain small in absolute terms, rapid value growth, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8 per cent and a favorable political economic and business environment mean that the country is likely to increasingly feature in drugmakers' Middle East and Africa (MEA) strategies. In the Q409 Business Environment Rating for the 17 countries of the MEA region, Bahrain ranks eighth. The potential returns from the market are constrained by the island's population of just 1 million. However, a strong regulatory structure and stable political climate create a relatively low-risk business environment.

Kuwait: Health of the nation

Kuwait's health sector is expected to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of a massive government development program aimed at revitalizing the local economy and strengthening the country's social support structure. The Kuwaiti parliament is currently considering a five-year development plan put forward by the government that would see up to US$140 billion spent on infrastructure, housing and education. The plan would also further the country's aims of becoming an international financial and commercial hub. Though the exact details of the plan's budget or a full breakdown of projects to be funded under the scheme have yet to be released, one thing has been made clear by officials, that improving the provision of health services will be one of the central planks of the program.

Developer appointed for Bahrain's US$1.6bn health island

Mott MacDonald has been awarded the infrastructure design contract for Bahrain's US$1.6 billion health island. Dilmunia Health Island is a 125-hectare manmade island off Bahrain's northeast coast for health and wellness clinics, homes and businesses. "Designs for the health island were developed last year and Mott MacDonald's commission will help move the project on to the next stage," Ithmaar Development Company said in a statement. The health island is expected to have centers for diabetes, nutrition, cosmetic surgery and sports medicine, as well as alternative therapies, spas, residential housing and hotels. Mott MacDonald will design and supervise the construction of all roads, bridges, water and sewage services and district cooling under the deal, which is due to be completed by mid-2013.

Several health projects in Basra this year

Several health and vital projects will be implemented before the end of this year, including the establishment of clinics and hospitals, director of the Basra health department said. "The projects include also setting up the cardiac care hospital and the surgical compound financed by the Kuwaiti development fund," Riyadh Abdulamir said.