Dubai Aims To Attract 500,000 Medical Tourists per year by 2020 and reinforce its position in the global healthcare sector
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has announced the launch of the new prestigious ‘Dubai Health Experience’ – DXH – brand in support of the initiative recently launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai to make Dubai a global centre for the provision of Medical Tourism services.
‘Dubai Health Experience’ – DXH – will be a central part of Dubai’s ongoing campaign to help it become recognized as a world class choice for those looking for tourism, recreation and treatment. DXH will play a crucial role as the Emirate continues to set unprecedented standards in the medical tourism sector to attract over 500,000 visitors annually by 2020.
Dubai has demonstrated the highest standards in the healthcare sector and advanced infrastructure and facilities which led to attracting 630,833 international and domestic medical tourists in 2015, 47% of which are international medical tourists generating 1.5 Billion Dirhams in revenues.
Medical Tourism Infrastructure in Dubai
Dubai has successfully been setting the highest standards in the healthcare sector thanks to the city’s advanced infrastructure and facilities, regulatory processes and the implementation of international best practice.
This has helped the Emirate secure a pioneering position in diagnostics and treatment in a wide range of differing medical areas.
Dubai has more than 3,000 health facilities ranging from hospitals and clinics to advanced surgery centers with more than 35,000 health specialists working in the sector. These numbers are expected to grow to 40,000 specialists and 4,000 health centres by 2020.
Dubai has become a symbol in modernity and technology thanks to its iconic touristic attractions, shopping malls, and cultural and entertainment activities that attracts tourists from different ages. The extensive network of transportation systems including the metro, tram, buses and taxis allows visitors to commute conveniently across the city. Dubai also embraces the finest and most luxurious hotels that meet the demands of tourists giving tourists the opportunity to combine the fun of tourism in Dubai whilst receiving world-class treatments by skilled medical specialists.
DXH Group
As part of the Dubai Health Experience (DXH) program, Dubai Health Authority has also created the DXH Group, that comprises 25 healthcare centres including the most prominent hospitals, clinics and advanced surgery centres. They will provide the highest level of medical treatment and aftercare to meet customers’ expectations.
Azad Moopen, Chairman and Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare, commented: “Being part of DXH and supporting DHA in its mission to place Dubai on the global map for medical tourism is aligned with our vision which we always reiterate at Aster DM Healthcare ‘A Caring Mission with a Global Vision’. We have been and will continue working closely with our partners in DXH Group to contribute to the goal set by DHA in attracting 500,000 medical tourists annually by 2020.”
Health Insurance for Dubai’s Medical Tourists
Dubai Health Authority developed a travel insurance scheme for Dubai’s medical tourists to potentially cover the cost of any consecutive health complications. The system will also cover the cost of medication in case of emergency or repatriation in addition to covering the expenses of the person accompanying the patient.
Medical Tourism Visa
Dubai offers a 90 days medical tourism visa in cooperation with General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai that is renewable and can be applied for through the healthcare facility in which the patient is receiving treatment.
Dubai Portal for Medical Tourism: Website and Social Media Channels
The easy to navigate single window Smart application as well as the digital gateway (www.dxh.gov.ae) which greets exploring medical tourists to a high quality comprehensive and integrated health service system that DXH aims to deliver through its website. The website offers comprehensive medical packages that have been created with the help of over 25 healthcare facilities that form the ‘DXH Group’ which is the official group that comprises the participating healthcare facilities in the Dubai medical tourism project. All the members of the group have been carefully evaluated by the Dubai Health Authority to ensure quality, safety and service standards to inbound medical tourists.
The DXH website also offers the chance to choose from a wide range of medical specialties and services covering advanced elective procedures in cosmetic surgery, orthopaedics and sports medicine, ophthalmology, dental, dermatology and cosmetic dermatology treatments, wellness and preventive health check-up, as well as assisted reproductive techniques and weight loss management and surgeries. These packages are featured with detailed inclusions and exclusions, making it easy for medical tourists to compare and select the best choices suited to their budget.
To further assist overseas medical tourists, the website also has extensive travel information including visa requirements (if needed) and the option of booking both hotel stays and return flights through Emirates Airlines.
Unprecedented Improvement in Healthcare Services
Growing standards of healthcare provision in Dubai has also contributed to a significant growth in the number of medical tourists.
The initiative will initially focus on attracting medical tourists from all around the GCC, Russia, countries of the former Soviet Union India, Pakistan and Africa. The Dubai Health Experience (DXH) is being introduced with a focus on cosmetic surgery, orthopaedics and sports medicine, ophthalmology, dental, dermatology and cosmetic dermatology treatments, wellness and preventive health check-up, as well as assisted reproductive techniques and weight loss management and surgeries.
Announcing the launch of the new medical tourism initiative, Dubai Health Authority Chairman of the Board and Director General His Excellency Humaid Mohammad Obaid Al Qutami, said: “The healthcare system in Dubai is already well known for its flexibility and ability to keep pace with the latest trends and changes.
“DXH will play a pivotal role in strengthening Dubai’s growing and expanding global reputation in the medical tourism sector. We are committed to providing a unique healthcare environment to visiting tourists who are seeking the highest quality medical standards delivering enriching experiences that can add happiness to their quality of life.”
Dr. Layla Mohamed Al Marzouqi, Acting Director – Health Regulations Department and Head of Clinical Governance of Dubai Health Authority – commented: “DXH will provide medical tourists with a truly exceptional and integrated experience that will be delivered by a group of prominent healthcare specialists in addition to providing translation services when required and facilitating all travel procedures.
“Dubai has been always been successful in in exceeding visitors’ expectations and experience from all over the world – especially the GCC and other Arab nations – which provides us with the foundations for the Dubai Health Experience to change the concept of medical tourism on a truly global scale..
Dubai meanwhile has also won the title of best integrated destination for medical tourism during the Tenth International Exhibition and Conference on medical tourism in September 2015 and the ‘Innovation in Medical Tourism’ in Greece in May 2015.
Developing the healthcare sector is one of Dubai’s strategic plans for 2021, which is reflected in building hospitals, investing in the latest medical equipment and establishing rules that ensure the application of best international practices.
Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is constantly developing strategies to enhance medical tourism in Dubai by partnering with Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Department of Economic Development, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, Emirates Airline in addition to the 25 healthcare centres included in the DXH Group in order to provide Dubai’s medical tourists a life changing experience.
