A growing focus on identifying health risks earlier and helping people manage conditions over time is shaping healthcare priorities across the UAE. Drawing on MetLife Gulf’s own annual claims data across five Gulf markets, the annual Claims Report provides a clear view of how health needs are evolving across the region and where earlier support can make a meaningful difference.
The findings are based on MetLife Gulf’s 2025 claims experience across the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. More than $250 million was paid for surgical procedures, medicine benefits and laboratory testing during the year. Musculoskeletal conditions alone accounted for $55 million in medical claims, alongside significant spend across respiratory, circulatory, maternity, dental and optical care.
The data also points to growing use of services that help people manage chronic conditions over time. New enrolment in MetLife Gulf’s Chronic Medication Refill Program, a free service for members with regular chronic conditions increased by 102.8% compared with 2024, with 1,384 refills processed during the year for people managing conditions including diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol.
Maria Angeles Amezcua, General Manager, Gulf at MetLife, said: “Supporting people’s health means helping them act earlier, access the right treatment and manage conditions over time. As one of leading insurers in the Gulf, we believe claims insights should do more than describe what has happened; they should help employers, healthcare partners and individuals anticipate needs and act sooner. What we are seeing reinforces the value of being there across that full journey, not only at the point of a claim, so people and families can navigate their health with greater confidence.”
The findings reflect a broader shift underway in the UAE. National strategies are placing greater emphasis on prevention, healthier lifestyles and long-term wellbeing, while health authorities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi continue to expand screening and early detection programs aimed at identifying risks sooner and connecting people with appropriate follow-up care.
Women’s health is one area where that approach is particularly relevant. The UAE’s National Policy for Improving Women’s Health brings preventive, therapeutic and rehabilitative care within a single framework, reflecting a national focus on improving women’s health throughout different stages of life. Abu Dhabi has also reported an 85% increase in early breast cancer screening rates over the past year. In MetLife Gulf’s 2025 claims data, women accounted for 66% of cancer-related claims, most commonly for breast, thyroid and colorectal cancers.
Across the five markets, medical claims have exceeded $1 billion over the past three years, with MetLife Gulf paying $454 million in medical, life and health claims in 2025 alone. This reflects the financial support provided to customers through periods of treatment, recovery and ongoing care. Through insights from its Gulf claims experience, MetLife Gulf is helping advance conversations around health trends, prevention and long-term wellbeing.
