Dubai, the bustling city of the United Arab Emirates, has become a top destination for medical tourism. In this blog, we analyze the reasons for its medical supremacy from expert perspectives and discover the unique characteristics of the country’s healthcare sector.
With healthcare conferences like the Health 2.0 Conference on the horizon of 2023, there's no better time to explore the factors that have led to Dubai’s supremacy as a premier medical tourism destination. But first, let’s disseminate the fundamentals:
Medical tourism occurs when people from one nation travel to another country to get medical care that is comparable to or better than that provided in their own country. This is primarily done in order to avoid the excess cost of the procedure in their home countries. So, a cancer patient in the USA may find that Vietnam has a cheaper price for chemotherapy. They might then travel to that country to avail of it.
Medical tourism is expanding rapidly, with countries in Asia, South America, and Eastern Europe joining the competition. In nations where medical tourism is prevalent, procedures that cost slightly higher in one country might be cheaper, to begin with.
Additionally, people who travel overseas for medical treatment frequently have the chance to go sightseeing and participate in traditional tourist activities during or after their medical procedure. Naturally, this concept is gaining a lot of popularity, as it is truly a win-win! With a few setbacks; discussed ahead in the blog.
Medical tourism is expected to expand as the expense of healthcare in industrialized countries such as the United States rises. Indeed, many organizations that provide health insurance to their employees, as well as insurance companies, believe that medical tourism is an excellent method to cut expenses. People may obtain high-quality healthcare at considerably lesser costs.
Many famous medical tourism destinations feature physicians, specialists, and nurses who have trained and worked in other countries. As a result, they can communicate clearly in English and work in compliance with recognized worldwide diagnostic and treatment standards.
Healthcare events and conferences in Dubai state that medical tourism can provide an opportunity for patients to explore different cultures and receive care in a relaxing environment.
Several factors contribute to a good medical tourism destination. Tourism experts and medical researchers at top healthcare conferences agree that a desirable destination should have a strong reputation for medical tourism, adequate infrastructure, and the ability to offer a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience. This is one of the reasons why Dubai is currently the hotspot for Medical tourism. Other factors that contribute to an ideal destination include
Dubai is setting new standards in healthcare. According to the most recent Medical Tourism Index, Dubai ranks first in the Middle East and North Africa and sixth internationally for medical tourism.
Dubai's reputation as a medical tourism destination is on the rise, and for good reason. The city's healthcare system is one of the best in the world, with a range of state-of-the-art hospitals, clinics, and medical centers. The city also boasts a diverse range of medical specialties, including cosmetic surgery, orthopedics, and dentistry, among others. With an emphasis on patient comfort and care, Dubai has become a go-to destination for those seeking top-quality medical treatment. Famous healthcare conferences explain the key reasons behind Dubai’s admirable medical characteristics. Let's explore these in detail!
According to official Dubai Health Authority (DHA) data for 2022, the emirate has 4,482 medical facilities in the private sector, representing a 45 percent increase in five years.
Private health facilities in Dubai include plenty of hospitals, day-care surgical centers, diagnostic centers, specialty, and specialized outpatient clinics. There are also school clinics, home healthcare agencies, fertility centers, dialysis centers, three cord blood, and stem cell centers, a gastrointestinal endoscopy center, dental laboratories, telehealth centers, and many more care facilities. These are more than any nation boasts in terms of versatility and effective functioning.
These institutions provide a variety of medical services, such as sophisticated diagnostic methods, specialty treatments, and surgical operations. Many of Dubai's private hospitals are accredited by international organizations such as the Joint Commission International (JCI) and the International Organization for Standardisation (ISO).
Dubai's healthcare infrastructure comprises a number of specialty medical centers that offer skilled care for a variety of medical ailments. The Dubai Diabetes Centre provides comprehensive care for diabetic patients, whereas the Dubai Cancer Centre specializes in cancer therapy. Many telemedicine services are available in Dubai's healthcare infrastructure, allowing patients to consult with doctors remotely. It’s true that Cancer care can be received in other countries too but what is so special about Dubai’s facilities is that they are relatively cheaper.
Discussions about Dubai’s affordability can be followed at famous healthcare conferences in 2023, that offer a global platform for world medical leaders to share their perspectives on the subject. For instance, experts at Health 2.0 Conference share research that reveals that medical treatments in Dubai can be up to 60% cheaper than in Europe or the United States. The lower cost of medical treatment in Dubai has made it an affordable option for patients from around the world, especially those from developing countries where healthcare is expensive.
Dubai has become a favorite destination for medical tourists looking to combine medical treatment with a luxury holiday, because of its elegant infrastructure and attractive amenities. While getting medical care, patients can enjoy a variety of amenities like excellent dining, spa treatments, and access to workout facilities.
According to experts and research speakers at famous healthcare events and conferences in 2023, the number of medical tourists visiting Dubai increased by 5.5% in 2022, with the city receiving more than 350,000 medical tourists. Experts also highlighted that the top five medical specialties sought by medical tourists in Dubai were orthopedics, dermatology, dentistry, ophthalmology, and fertility treatments.
With direct flights from several countries, Dubai is well-connected to major cities throughout the world. Patients will find it easier to fly to Dubai for medical treatment as a result of this. Many healthcare conferences in Dubai have emphasized the city's strategic position as an important aspect in increasing connection. Since Dubai is located in proximity to major nations like the USA, Europe, and Asia, it is easy to fly out there. Additionally, the country supports a multi-lingual mode of language including english language usage by staff and technicians, making it easy to communicate with foreign travelers.
As we have read, Dubai's success as a medical tourism hub has been due to a combination of factors. Other countries looking to replicate Dubai's medical tourism model and achieve better healthcare outcomes for their nation can learn from these factors and implement them in their own healthcare systems. 2023’s renowned healthcare conferences share some ways other countries can replicate Dubai's medical tourism model:
By investing in transportation infrastructure such as airports, roads, and public transportation, they may attract more medical tourists while also providing better medical care to their own citizens by making it easier for medical tourists to go to their country for treatment.
Countries can learn from Dubai's commitment to excellence in healthcare. By investing in research and development, other countries can improve their healthcare outcomes and attract medical tourists from around the world.
Other nations can invest in the development of world-class healthcare facilities and hospitals equipped with cutting-edge medical technology. They may also recruit highly skilled medical experts and offer an attractive salary.
From advanced medical procedures to cutting-edge medical technology, Dubai is a hub for healthcare innovation, making it an ideal destination for those looking to combine healthcare with tourism.
The upcoming Health 2.0 Conference in 2023 will undoubtedly highlight the many reasons why Dubai is an excellent medical tourism destination. With a focus on healthcare innovation, the conference will showcase the latest trends in healthcare technology and explore how Dubai is leading the way in healthcare excellence.
Dubai's thriving healthcare industry, combined with its luxury accommodations and leisure activities, make it the perfect destination for medical tourism. With healthcare conferences in 2023 on the horizon, there has never been a better time to explore all that Dubai has to offerṣ.
Sarika Gautam is one of the proud leads of the Health 2.0 Conference Dubai edition. The three-day conference is a hotspot of healthcare professionals, medical practitioners, and C-suite executives. Health 2.0 Conference’s upcoming edition is ready to explore interesting topics like digital therapeutics and why including fraud, scam, and spam prevention tactics is the need of the hour.
