kazashe

Hi

We are thinking about moving to Dubai but as we have a seven year old with Cystic Fibrosis we need to find out about the health care system in Dubai. She is very well looked after here in Glasgow and is doing well so we don't want to jeopardise this. On the other hand we are absolutely sick to death of life in the UK. Can anyone help? Is there anyone out there with a child with cystic fibrosis? Any general comments re health care will also be welcome.

Cheers and thank you.

Millhouse

I cannot comment on the quality of care in this regard, but, I would say that whatever care is required will come at a price... there is no NHS so you would need an insurance policy that covers this pre-condition. You might not be able to find one.

good luck.

kazashe

Hmm. Hadn't even considered that.

Thanks!

Blue Cat

tough call, have you got a job to come to?

kazashe

My husband will be relocating through his current job, so no difficulties there. We've lived overseas before and throught that we would continue to do so but after our daughter was born decided to stay put in Glasgow because of the cf care here. But, as I said, we are now sick of the UK. It might well be a case of suck it and see but we really can't be that cavalier with her health. And the things I've been reading about school waiting lists are alarming me....

Thanks for the reply.

Cheers!

Oyibopeppeh

The health insurance can be a real PTA...

The first form I completed with Daman, I declared a surgical steel plate in my leg (dating back to a 1981 bike accident). They refused to accept my proposal until I'd gotten a statement from a surgeon stating that it wasn't a problem, but even then they said my premium would increase.

Hello.Kitty

Almost all healthcare is private here, so to be honest, if I were you, get hold of the ones that provide the care your daughter needs and ask for their prices. Ask your husband's potential new company what their insurance providers are and ask them directly if they will cover this. Unfortunately, I doubt they will, as they generally don't cover pre-conditions and have another long list of things they don't cover.

To give you a most basic idea, a trip to the doctors will cost you around 300AED (£50) if you're not covered by insurance and blood tests are around the £100 mark as a starting point.

I would also say that healthcare over here is average, and sometimes just downright rubbish. OK, the NHS is sometimes over-stretched, and everyone has horror stories to tell, but I have never heard so many first-hand tales of bad treatment and worrying ineptitude as I have here. If you are happy with your daughter's treatment, I would stay put... really.

NaimTakieddin

Hi,

I do work in the health insurance field that I encountered many similar cases in where some patients could not get coverage because of congenital inflictions/diseases.

Firstly, do not consider your child health `s condition an obstacle which would hinder you going on to DUBAI with your husband..reputable medical providers in Dubai do deliver significant high standards in their services ..with many providers following international medical codes.

Here is my professional advices,

1- Your husband as -the prime beneficiary- of his insurance plan should edit a detailed statement for his employer explaining the condition of your daughter attached with the most recent medical records from where she gets treatment in UK highlighting the fact she needs further medical care uncovered under regular policy ... the company HR rep will discuss this subject with the medical director of your insurance company in order to either get coverage for her condition/medical expenses under GRACE ground or increasing your main premium (Calculation made by the TPA) to allow her receive medical care under her current condition. In other words her policy would be promoted to cover congenital/pre-existing conditions.


Good Luck

NT

Kim67

Hi Kazashe, can't help too much with the health care system but would advise you that if I had a child with CF, I would think long and hard about taking them to Dubai. I have a child with a lung condition and was constantly on medication in Dubai, hasn't needed it since coming back to Australia (still waiting for his appointment with the lung clinic to see what they want to do). The quality of air in Dubai for nine months of the year is terrible, can't see the sky through the layer of dust and when you go outside, everything is covered in dust constantly. I think you would find it hard trying to keep your house pollutant free enough for a child with CF.

Blue Cat

tough call, have you got a job to come to?

NaimTakieddin

The symptoms and severity of CF vary from person to person. Some people who have CF have serious lung and digestive problems. Other people have more mild disease that doesn't show up until they're adolescents or adults.

The symptoms and severity of CF also vary over time. Sometimes, you will have few symptoms. Other times, your symptoms may become more severe. As the disease gets worse, you will have more severe symptoms more often.

Lung function often starts to decline in early childhood in people who have CF. Over time, permanent damage to the lungs can cause severe breathing problems.

As treatments for CF continue to improve, so does life expectancy for those who have the disease.

Early treatment for CF can improve both your quality of life and lifespan. Such early treatment includes nutritional and respiratory therapies, medicines, exercise, and other treatments.

Taken by courtesy of some medical resources,

NT

Meow

Quite simply, you will not get cover for your daughter with any new private medical plan. Sad, but true as the providers are businesses. The only option to get cover is if the employer's scheme is set up as 'Medical History Disregarded', but due to the severity of her condition, it is best to get this cleared at outset.

I really don't know about the quality of care for a condition such as CF, but I think you would be wise to check this out thoroughly before considering a move.
-

Tigger123

Hi, I have friends here who have a child who has just recently been diagnosed with CF. They are planning to relocate back to the UK for care and have been recommended to do so by their medical team in the UK. The have been refused health insurance as it is a genetic condition, and as previously mentioned health care in this country is very expensive. CF is also not really recognised in this country as it is predominently a disease which affect caucasian people, therefore there are no recognised medical specialists in CF in the UAE. If I were you I would stay put and ensure that your child receives the best care possible.

kazashe

Thankyou very much to all of you for you speedy help and information. I had no idea that cf was not really recognised in Dubai. We could have gotten round the insurance complications but lack of care is non-negotiable. Oh well, back to the drawing board

Thanks again

Karen

Madam Medusa

i don't know about the level of health care but i do know that there was a girl (now year 5 i think) at my children's previous school with cf...i don't know her/her parents so can't put you in touch, but clearly she was living here with no issues, so it must be possible...maybe try contacting horizon school to see whether they can help get you in contact with her family...?

MM, xx