Dubai Healthcare City Announces Strategic Approach For Promoting Medical Tourism In The UAE

Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC)marked a successful participation at the European Medical Travel Conference 2012 in Berlin, highlighting the integrated healthcare free zone’s overarching objective to emerge as a medical tourism hub in the Middle East.

DHCC’s participation translates itsstrategic approachto aggressively support the promotion ofmedical tourisminthe UAE.The participation was in partnership with Dubai Health Authority, the strategic health authority for the Emirate in Dubai, and Dubai Department of Tourism &Commerce Marketing under the umbrella of the Dubai Medical Tourism Group.

As part of this long-term goal, DHCC aims to mark a presence at a series of regional and international events in 2012 that will spotlight Dubai and, in particular, the integrated healthcare free zone as the destination of choice for all healthcare needs to residents and tourists alike.

DHCC’s roadmap complements the vision articulated byHis Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, to position Dubai as a medical tourism hub in the region.

Dr Ayesha Abdullah, Managing Director of Dubai Healthcare City,said: “We are committed to showcasingDHCC’s quality healthcare facilities and our world-class business partners at leading medical travel events. We look forward to sharing ideas, investment opportunities and best practices with industry experts. We are confident that DHCC will generate significant interest from the medical and tourism industry experts at these globally recognizedevents.”

During DHCC’s participation at the European Medical Travel Conference, Dr Ayesha Abdullah offered an overview on‘Medical tourism,the fastest growing industry – with a focus on the UAE’. As part of her presentation, Dr Ayeshaelaborated on theworld-class medical centres available at Dubai Healthcare City and recognised the German healthcare providers and medical community for their contribution to DHCC’s success. Dr Ayesha concluded by saying that DHCC would continue to develop strategic partnerships with Germany.

Dubai Healthcare City will additionally mark its participation atthe ArabianTravel Market 2012, the leading travel and tourism event unlocking business potential within the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. To be held in Dubai from 30April - 3 May,the event will offer DHCCa perfect platform to unveil its edition of ‘Patients Beyond Borders’, the first comprehensive guide to medical travel in the Middle East in English and Arabic.

Dr Ayesha Abdullah added: “Dubai’s strategic location, excellent infrastructure, hospitality, world-renowned tourist attractions and internationally-accredited healthcare facilities makethe emirate a popular tourism hub. Medical tourists select Dubai for its shorter waiting times and the high quality of medical care. Cost and availability of healthcare are also key factors that influence patients’ decisions. We,at Dubai Healthcare City, continuously seek to make innovative, high-quality and affordable healthcare easily accessible to the community at large. We owe our patients a first-class experience.”

In 2011, Dubai welcomed more than 9.3 million visitors while tourist arrivals are projected to grow at an annual 7.2 per cent through 2015. Meanwhile, the emirate’s health tourism mandate is expected to generate over US$1.6billion by the end of 2012. Dubai’s private sector investments in the healthcare sector have also increased by 12 per cent to US$8 billion in 2010-11.

Founded in 2002, DHCC hasquicklyemergeda destination of choice for high quality healthcare, education and research services in the Middle East. In 2011 alone, over 3,500 healthcare professionals served more than 500,000 patients from around the world. DHCC’slatest patient satisfaction index of 92 istestament to the exceptional facilitiesdelivered by the healthcare free zone.Dubai Healthcare City has also established key partnerships with leading international healthcare organizations, as well as academic and research institutions.

Currently, Dubai Healthcare City is home to two Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited hospitals and over 100 medical centers, offering expertise in more than 80 specialties. Withover 180 commercial healthcare and retail businesses and several strategic projects under development,DHCC continues to meet the increasing demand for quality healthcare in the region.

 

Emirate:  Dubai

Date: Apr 29, 2012

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