Relatives visit an elderly loved one at a care home in North Walsham, Norfolk. EPA
Relatives visit an elderly loved one at a care home in North Walsham, Norfolk. EPA
Relatives visit an elderly loved one at a care home in North Walsham, Norfolk. EPA
Relatives visit an elderly loved one at a care home in North Walsham, Norfolk. EPA


Let's talk about the value of healthcare – not its cost


  • English
  • Arabic

September 17, 2021

Over the past few weeks the UK has been gripped by a heated discussion on the subject of social care and who should pay for it, and how – if it is done through taxation – it should be collected. It is going to be paid by National Insurance, a tax that focuses on younger, less affluent workers.

Over several weeks the discussion appeared to be nothing more than an undignified row about who should be opening their cheque book to cover the cost. It demonstrated a flaw in our approach to the subject: that we see care of others, especially care of the elderly, as an issue of finance and tax, and in particular as a burden.

But what the pandemic actually showed is how many people around the world care deeply and selflessly for our elderly and vulnerable. I say "our" rather than "their" because they are part of our village, part of our extended families, part of our societies. They are us. We are them. To think of them as a liability is unfortunate.

For me, as someone who is an unpaid primary carer – like millions of other people around the UK and the world – this approach to care misses the crux of the conversation. People seem to focus much more on the cost of care, but the question should be, what is its value? And how do we maximise it?

There are plenty of studies on the benefits of intergenerational living for young people and society. Interaction and engagement has benefits for the elderly. But here’s the thing: it also has massive benefits for young people, giving them a sense of identity, culture, history and space. It builds community ties and adds to a feeling of rootedness.

Caring for people is a skilled and difficult job

A vision of social care also means benefits of more jobs, with more value. This is something missing from the conversation. The hours and effort put into caring have not been discussed enough. Historically care has always been a "woman’s job" and done for free. And as with many so-called "women’s jobs" they are unpaid and considered lacking in stature.

But caring for people is a skilled and difficult job, and it ought to be estimated properly. So by thinking of the value of care rather than its cost, millions of new high value jobs can be created. It is part of the growing service economy.

Any discussion of care also means recognising, supporting and resourcing the millions of unpaid carers in the informal care sector that provide the vast majority of care. Unpaid caring for loved ones has a massive impact on the carers. It is said to have an impact like post traumatic stress disorder. And there is a knock on effect on the families and workplaces of carers.

And when caring for the elderly or vulnerable is added to caring for young children, this is the plight of the "sandwich generation" – those in their thirties or forties, who care for both their elderly parents and young children. This is the time that this generation is at their most productive in the public space and the workplace, but squeezed by weighty responsibilities. With no one to help, they are burning out, looking after parents and children.

All of this is being driven by massive economic, demographic and socio-cultural changes. Our populations are older than they have ever been.

Our understanding of needs and attitudes towards who should be cared for – especially for children and pre-retirement has also changed. Our societies have changed when it comes to women not being home as much to care for everyone.

When the UK’s National Health Service was launched in 1948 it was a radical proposition. The first of its kind in the world, it was free at the point of service and was according to need, not ability.

It was part of a bigger radical transformation by establishing a welfare state. In the post-war period there was a consensus that we had to do things differently to move forward from the devastation of the previous years, but to also build something fit for a future where deprivation, suffering and indignity were reduced and where every person had the right to care, health, education and shelter.

As we start to plan beyond for health needs beyond the pandemic, we need a vision that addresses the kind of society we are now and create a model for care and its role in our families, communities and nations. It is not an afterthought or a penalty. It lies at the very heart of societies because everyone needs it in some way or another.

When the NHS was launched in 1948 it was transformative. The same happened when education was rolled out for children. Now, our societies need transforming again. That should be seen not as a burden but an opportunity.

Dubai World Cup Carnival card

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group 1 (PA) US$75,000 (Dirt) 1,900m

7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m

7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m

8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m

8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m

9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m

10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m

The National selections:

6.30pm - Ziyadd; 7.05pm - Barney Roy; 7.40pm - Dee Ex Bee; 8.15pm - Dubai Legacy; 8.50pm - Good Fortune; 9.25pm - Drafted; 10pm - Simsir

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Company profile

Date started: 2015

Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

How to donate

Text the following numbers:

2289 - Dh10

6025 - Dh 20

2252 - Dh 50

2208 - Dh 100

6020 - Dh 200 

*numbers work for both Etisalat and du

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A cryptocurrency primer for beginners

Cryptocurrency Investing  for Dummies – by Kiana Danial 

There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine. 

Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.

Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this  book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.

Begin your cryptocurrency journey here. 

Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104 

Stage 3 results

1 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott 4:42:33

2 Tadej Pocagar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:03

3 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana 0:01:30

4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ

5 Rafal Majka (POL) Bora-Hansgrohe         

6 Diego Ulissi (ITA) UAE Team Emirates  0:01:56

General Classification after Stage 3:

1 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott 12:30:02

2 Tadej Pocagar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:07

3  Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana 0:01:35

4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 0:01:40

5  Rafal Majka (POL) Bora-Hansgrohe

6 Wilco Kelderman (NED) Team Sunweb)  0:02:06

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

Monday's results
  • UAE beat Bahrain by 51 runs
  • Qatar beat Maldives by 44 runs
  • Saudi Arabia beat Kuwait by seven wickets
ASHES SCHEDULE

First Test
November 23-27 (The Gabba, Brisbane)
Second Test
December 2-6 (Adelaide Oval, Adelaide)
Third Test
December 14-18 (Waca Ground, Perth)
Fourth Test
December 26-30 (Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne)
Fifth Test
January 4-8, 2018 (Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney)

RESULTS

5pm: Sweihan – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m
Winner: Shamakh, Fernando Jara (jockey), Jean-Claude Picout (trainer)

5.30pm: Al Shamkha – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: Daad, Dane O’Neill, Jaber Bittar

6pm: Shakbout City – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: AF Ghayyar, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: Gold Silver, Sandro Paiva, Ibrahim Aseel

7pm: Masdar City – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

7.30pm: Khalifa City – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Ranchero, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar

Scoreline

Al Wasl 1 (Caio Canedo 90 1')

Al Ain 2 (Ismail Ahmed 3', Marcus Berg 50')

Red cards: Ismail Ahmed (Al Ain) 77'

88 Video's most popular rentals

Avengers 3: Infinity War: an American superhero film released in 2018 and based on the Marvel Comics story.  

Sholay: a 1975 Indian action-adventure film. It follows the adventures of two criminals hired by police to catch a vagabond. The film was panned on release but is now considered a classic.

Lucifer: is a 2019 Malayalam-language action film. It dives into the gritty world of Kerala’s politics and has become one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.

The specs: 2018 Jaguar E-Pace First Edition

Price, base / as tested: Dh186,480 / Dh252,735

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder

Power: 246hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 365Nm @ 1,200rpm

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km

Titanium Escrow profile

Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue  
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family

Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour Calendar 2018/19

July 29: OTA Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan

Sep 22-23: LA Convention Centre in Los Angeles, US

Nov 16-18: Carioca Arena Centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Feb 7-9: Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Mar 9-10: Copper Box Arena in London, UK

PROFILE OF HALAN

Started: November 2017

Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport and logistics

Size: 150 employees

Investment: approximately $8 million

Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar

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Updated: October 31, 2021, 3:15 PM`