Dubai maternity hospitals hike fees by 100pc

Asma Ali Zain

16 April 2010 - Khaleej Times

DUBAI — Two Dubai government maternity hospitals have hiked their charges by over 100 per cent, citing the need to cover expenses.

Both Dubai Hospital and Al Wasl Hospital, operating under the Dubai Health Authority, doubled the prices of fees for maternity-related services with effect from April 11.

According to notices put up by the hospitals, the fee for a normal delivery now costs Dh7,000 with a two-day hospital stay while a caesarean section costs Dh10,000 with a four-day hospital stay. Earlier, patients were charged Dh2,500 for a normal delivery and Dh5,000 for a caesarean section. The charges for a caesarean section and stay in a private room will cost Dh12,000 and for normal delivery and stay in a private room Dh9,000.

According to a local Arabic daily, the prices were increased after the authority carried out a comparative study with the prices of the same procedures being offered in private hospitals ranging from Dh10,000 to Dh15,000. The report, quoting hospital sources, also said the changes were made due to the population growth and expansion of the emirate which, in turn, is putting pressure on government hospitals.

Already, Al Wasl Hospital has been accused of turning away pregnant women due to lack of bed space, especially for premature neonates.