Dubai Health Authority strengthens its medical tourism strategy

 The Dubai Health Authority recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU) with the Medical Tourism Association at the World Medical Tourism and Global Health Congress which took place in Los Angeles from 22nd to 24th September 2010
The Dubai Health Authority was the Diamond Sponsor in the Congress. With the signing of this MoU, both parties will work towards further strengthening the medical tourism sector in the Emirate of Dubai.

Dubai is already known to be one of the top tourism destinations in the world and the DHA is further building its healthcare capabilities, policies and regulations to ensure that Dubai enjoys the same position as a healthcare destination.

Dubai will host the prestigious regional Medical Tourism Congress, which will take place in February 2011 and will be held for the first time in the Middle East.

At the conference the DHA and the private sector will represent their centres of excellence in their related fields such as diabetes management, rehabilitation facilities, surgery etc. The conference will be a platform representing Dubai’s healthcare tourism strengths to the global medial tourism industry.
His Excellency Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director General of the DHA said, “In recent years, Dubai has seen a phenomenal growth in the health sector and this has been possible because of the vision of our leader, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, who has given significant importance to the health sector in the Dubai strategic plan 2015.

“Medical tourism is an integral aspect of healthcare, especially in the context of today’s globalised world and the DHA is keen to further strengthen and establish Dubai’s position on the medical tourism and global healthcare map.” 
Al Murooshid emphasised that the DHA considers the private sector to be its key stakeholder and thus encourages the sector to develop state-of-the-art healthcare facilitates in the Emirate of Dubai.

Over the years, the patient base indicates an increase in the number of regional patients who visit Dubai for treatment and thus the DHA sees tremendous potential in the growth of the medical tourism sector for the Emirate of Dubai.
He said that over the years Dubai has established itself as a healthcare hub for the Middle East region and is now looking to strengthen its position on the global healthcare tourism map.

Laila Al Jassmi, CEO of the Health Policy and Strategy Sector at the DHA seconded this opinion and said, “The medical tourism industry generates over 30 billion dollars worth of revenue annually. It is a huge industry globally and Dubai already has many factors that work to its benefit. At the DHA, we are strengthening our policies, regulations and further developing our healthcare capabilities to strengthen the medical tourism sector.
In terms of the GCC region, we are already witnessing an increase in the number of patient base and now we are keen to provide the international patient will lucrative healthcare opportunities in Dubai. At the DHA, we consider the private sector to be a key stakeholder and thus both the public and the private health sector in Dubai will be a part of the medical tourism conference which takes place in 2011.”

Al Jassmi said that the conference will hold international workshops and educational programs for the health sector to benefit from the experience of renowned global players who will be present at the conference.

The DHA and the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing are strategic partners in this initiative which aims to strengthen Dubai’s position as a global medical tourism hub.