Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 5 September 2020:  The Dubai Health Authority’s Health Tourism Department will continue holding a series of webinars in collaboration with the private health sector to discuss the latest trends in health tourism.

 

The aim of the webinars will be to discuss health tourism in the current global and local context and to discuss areas of focus, ways to provide medical tourists with enhanced health protocols, comfort and high-quality treatment. The webinars will also discuss the rising trend of wellness tourism which is an area that is emerging to be in demand with both residents and visitors in the Emirate.

 

The wellness markets like resorts, spas and other operators are focusing their efforts providing the best services to travelers and residents who are looking for rejuvenation and detox.

 

Patient care, experience and safety of travel are key parameters currently while destinations are slowly opening services for tourism; these educational webinars will reach out to the insurance companies, medical tourism facilitators and top hospitals to maximize ability to attract inbound patients, discuss opportunities and address challenges being faced by the medical tourism markets. 

 

Mohamed Al Mheiri, Director, Health Tourism Department, Dubai Health Authority said that DHA is keen to continue stakeholder engagement with the private health sector and the hospitality sector.

 

He added that Dubai is the leading regional medical tourism destination and is one of the top healthcare destinations in the world thanks to its advanced patient care and state-of-the-art treatments, healthcare diagnostics and technology. 

 

Dubai has 20 licensed centers specializing in traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (TCAM). These centers currently offer eight TCAM services and employ 234 professionals. 

 

The emirate witnessed a 4 per cent increase in its health tourist arrivals in 2019 to reach 350,118 compared to 2018. The majority of them were Asians at 34 per cent, followed by medical tourists from Arab and Gulf countries at 28 per cent and European countries at 17 per cent. 

 

Dermatology, dental and orthopedics remain the most sought after medical tourism specialties in 2019.  Dubai also saw increased numbers of visitors from Asian, Arab , GCC and European destinations for various health and wellness pursuits.  Fertility and ophthalmology are some of the other niche specialties that attracts medical tourists to the emirate. 

 

He added that although there are challenges and uncertainties due to COVID-19 that the world is facing, there are also opportunities and new trends in the health tourism sector that are worth exploring. “Discussions with the private sector on challenges and opportunities as well as focusing on the current trend of wellness tourism and ways to provide the highest-quality of healthcare in a safe and comfortable environment are key factors.”

 

Al Mheiri highlighted that the department will also discuss the use of telehealth and digital health services especially for patients who require second medical opinion.