While Dubai already offers a wide variety of internationally accredited facilities, staffed by more than 35,000 healthcare professionals from 110 nationalities as well as Dubai Healthcare City free zone, it’s set to up the ante in the run up to 2020. By this time, Dubai Health Authority (DHA) plans to attract 500,000 annual international medical tourists to the city, a strategy that is fuelling opportunities for the emirate’s burgeoning healthcare industry.
In 2015 the city welcomed just under 300,000 medical tourists from overseas, offering access to a highly qualified pool of multi-disciplinary medical professionals, choice of world-class facilities, absence of long waiting lists, value for money and a pleasant environment for post recovery, leaving little wonder why it is one of the world’s fastest-growing medical tourism hubs.
Commenting on the emirate’s healthcare vision, HE Humaid Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board and DHA Director General, said: “Health regulations are very important to ensure we provide high quality care and patient safety. Dubai has a strong health regulation framework and this has helped ensure quality healthcare, which, in itself is a catalyst for medical tourism.”
The city’s role as Chair of the Global Healthcare Travel Council for 2017 is further enhancing Dubai’s position as a world-class healthcare by building of 40 primary healthcare centers and three new hospitals and 1,000-bed medical complex complete with outpatient clinics.
In April 2016, the emirate launched the world’s first comprehensive electronic medical tourism portal, Dubai Health Experience (dxh.ae), offering access to a comprehensive menu of health and related services including wellness, cosmetic and dental, ‘packages’, plus ophthalmology, orthopedics, physiotherapy and other specialized medical tests.
“DXH completed a year of success and progression in strengthening Dubai’s position on the global map of medical tourism, attracting medical tourists from all over the globe to enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience in Dubai. [We] proudly embrace leading healthcare providers from hospitals, specialized clinics to day surgery centers offering over 400 different healthcare packages across orthopedic, fertility, cosmetic, dental, ophthalmology, and wellness treatments,” said Dr Layla Mohamed Al Marzouqi, Director, The Medical Tourism Council.