DHA And Dubai Department Of Economy Collaborate To Boost Medical Tourism Sector

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) have joined forces to boost Dubai's standing in the global medical tourism sector. This partnership aims to position Dubai as a top destination for healthcare, quality living, and overall happiness. The agreement was signed by Helal Saeed Almarri from DET and Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi from DHA, with many officials present.

A recent report by the DHA shows significant growth in medical tourism in Dubai during 2023. The emirate saw an increase in international patients seeking high-quality treatment, with healthcare spending reaching AED1.034 billion. This is a rise from 2022 when 674,000 medical tourists spent AED992 million.

Awadh Al Ketbi highlighted Dubai’s strategic location and rapid achievements across various sectors. He noted that these factors have enhanced its international reputation, especially in healthcare. "Dubai has leveraged all its resources, including advanced infrastructure, technology, smart solutions, systems, legislation, and facilitation," he said.

Al Ketbi also mentioned that Dubai's robust infrastructure and technological advancements have created promising investment opportunities in healthcare. This environment has attracted numerous international hospitals and specialised centres to establish their base in Dubai.

The indirect revenues from medical tourism last year surpassed AED2.305 billion. This contributed significantly to Dubai’s GDP by stimulating growth across key sectors like aviation, hotels, hospitality, and telecommunications. These developments highlight Dubai’s role as a crucial global hub for medical tourism.

Helal Almarri expressed commitment to enhancing collaboration among various entities to achieve the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. "This will elevate the city’s status as we consolidate our position as a leading global destination for business and leisure," he stated.

Future Prospects

Almarri added that they aim to attract investments for pioneering projects in healthcare and host major global medical conferences. "We look forward to working together to attract investments for pioneering projects in the healthcare sector," he said.

The MoU between DHA and DET focuses on improving competitiveness and transparency in healthcare while adhering to high global standards. It promotes innovation in healthcare aligned with the D33 agenda to strengthen Dubai’s status as a premier destination for business and leisure.

This initiative seeks to make Dubai an ideal place for visiting, living, and working while boosting its global economic competitiveness. It reinforces its role as a hub for economy, trade, logistics, and investment.

With inputs from WAM