Dubai launches medical tourism portal
International medical tourists can now book their procedures online, along with a range of healthcare related services at a newly launched web portal.
Dubai Health Experience provides health, travel, hospitality and visa services online, and Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is aiming to attract more than 500,000 international medical tourists by 2020.
The portal enables people to log on to the website and book procedure packages - including wellness, cosmetic and dental services, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, physiotherapy and specialised medical tests - at any of the 26 private and public hospitals in Dubai,
Dubai Health Experience also allows guests to access numerous other incentives, such as discounted Emirates airfares and hotel stays.
DHA chairman of the board of directors and director-general Humaid Al Qutami said: “Dubai is at the pinnacle of safety, security, creativity and innovation and has over 200 nationalities living here. It has been a pioneer and leader in global development and by choosing to be a global hub of medical tourism it will redefine development on the map of this region.”
DHA head of medical tourism initiative Laila Al Marzouqi added: “In 26 hospitals of Dubai we witnessed a traffic of 638,000 medical tourists, of whom nearly 47,000 were international tourists. This high traffic was recorded at just the 26 private and public hospitals and we are not even talking about the medical tourism procedures conducted in over 1,000 clinics and ambulatory care centres in Dubai. Every year the number goes up by 12 to 15%.
“We are adhering to international best practices and do not think there would be any malpractice, but this provision has been provided for the peace of mind of the patient. If there is a complication, then the individual will be allowed to return to UAE free of charge and revision of the surgery will be carried out free of charge. This insurance valid for a month after the procedure will cover the complication at no extra cost to the patient."