The UAE is Set to Become Hub of Medical Tourism: A Complete Guide
Background, UAE’s Healthcare Sector Overview
The healthcare industry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is growing rapidly, with the country’s healthcare expenditure expected to reach USD 45.6 billion by 2025. The UAE has a well-developed healthcare system, with both public and private hospitals providing high-quality medical care. The country has a large number of hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities, and its healthcare infrastructure is among the best in the region.
The UAE’s healthcare system is undergoing a major transformation, with the government investing heavily in the development of the sector. The country’s healthcare expenditure is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4% from 2018 to 2025. The government is investing in the development of new hospitals and clinics, as well as in the expansion of existing ones. It is also investing in the training of healthcare professionals and in the development of new technologies.
The government of UAE is investing heavily in the healthcare sector and is providing various incentives to attract foreign investors. The healthcare sector in UAE is growing at a rapid pace and is expected to reach USD 16 billion by 2021.
The UAE’s healthcare sector is highly regulated, and all hospitals and clinics must be licensed by the Ministry of Health and Prevention. The ministry sets standards for the provision of healthcare services and monitors compliance. Hospitals and clinics are also required to meet certain quality standards.
Market Analysis of the UAE’s Healthcare Scene
The UAE is poised to become a leading destination for medical tourism, according to a study conducted by the World Trade Center Abu Dhabi (WTCAD) in coordination with the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC).
The study was based on a survey of 1,095 visitors and exhibitors at the ADIPEC conference and exhibition in Abu Dhabi in November 2017, who were asked about their views on medical tourism in the UAE.
Additionally, the study examined the main reasons for choosing the UAE as a destination for medical tourism, as well as the preferred methods of travel and accommodation.
The results of the study showed that 85 percent of those who participated in the study believe that the UAE is a suitable destination for medical tourism.
The study also revealed that visitors to the UAE who are interested in medical tourism are mostly from the GCC, followed by visitors from Asian and European countries, respectively.
Moreover, the majority of those surveyed indicated that the main reasons for choosing the UAE as a destination for medical tourism are the quality of the medical services (49 percent) and the availability of expert doctors and specialists (40 percent).
The study also found that the preferred methods of travel and accommodation among medical tourists who visit the UAE are air travel and hotels, respectively.

Commenting on the study, Hamad Buamim, President and CEO of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “The UAE is one of the most attractive destinations for medical tourism and is expected to grow even more in the coming years. The UAE’s strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and high-quality medical services are among the main reasons for this growth.”
“The UAE is also expected to benefit from the growing demand for medical services in the GCC region and beyond, as well as from the growing number of expatriates and retirees who are choosing to reside in the country,” he added.
For his part, Mohammed Al Bulooki, Executive Vice President of Business Development at ADNEC, said: “The UAE is constantly striving to develop its medical tourism sector and attract more medical tourists from around the world. In line with this, ADNEC has launched a number of initiatives to promote Abu Dhabi as a leading destination for medical tourism in the region.”
“The Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) is one of the leading events that ADNEC organizes to promote Abu Dhabi as a major hub for medical tourism. The event attracts a large number of medical tourists from around the world and provides them with an excellent opportunity to learn about the latest developments in the medical sector,” he added.
The emirates’ world-class healthcare infrastructure, advanced treatments and facilities and skilled medical professionals have already attracted a large number of international patients. Moreover, the UAE’s visa facilitation policies and its convenient location between East and West make it an ideal destination for patients from the GCC and beyond.
According to a 2014 report from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the UAE’s healthcare sector is worth around $4.4 billion, accounting for 1.6 per cent of the country’s total GDP. Medical tourism in the UAE has been growing rapidly in recent years and the number of international patients treated in the country is expected to reach 1 million by 2020, according to a recent report by Alpen Capital. The report also said that medical tourism in the UAE is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 12.6 per cent between 2015 and 2020.
According to a report by the World Health Organization, the UAE healthcare sector is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.3% during 2016-2021. The report further stated that the healthcare expenditure in the UAE is expected to reach USD 58.5 billion by 2021.
The Most Popular Hospitals for Medical Tourism in UAE
The most popular medical tourism destinations in the UAE are Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah. In Dubai, some of the most popular hospitals for medical tourism include the American Hospital Dubai, the American Hospital Clinics, the Wafi Hospital and the Welcare Hospital. In Abu Dhabi, here are the most popular hospitals for medical tourism: the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, the Burjeel Hospital, the Zayed Military Hospital and the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City. In Sharjah: University Hospital Sharjah, the Al Qassimi Hospital and the Al Zahra Hospital. In Ras Al Khaimah: Saqr Hospital, the Rashid Hospital and the Al Noor Hospital.
How the UAE can Benefit From Becoming a Medical Tourism Hub?
There are many ways that the UAE can benefit from becoming a medical tourism hub. One of the most obvious ways is that it would bring in much needed revenue to the country. With so many people flocking to the UAE for medical treatment, this would provide a major boost to the economy. In addition, becoming a medical tourism hub would also help to improve the quality of healthcare in the UAE. With more people seeking medical treatment in the country, this would spur on investment in the healthcare sector and lead to better facilities and services being provided.
The UAE is already a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. If it were to become a medical tourism hub, this would only serve to increase the number of visitors to the country. This would provide a major boost to the hospitality industry in the UAE, as well as creating new jobs in the healthcare and tourism sectors. In addition, becoming a medical tourism hub would also help to promote the UAE as a safe and welcoming place to visit. This would go a long way in attracting even more visitors to the country, which would in turn lead to further economic growth.
AI Technology and Healthcare Industry in UAE
The UAE healthcare industry is expected to be positively impacted by the deployment of AI technologies in the healthcare sector. AI technologies are being increasingly used to provide personalized medicine and to develop new drugs and treatments. AI is also being used to improve the efficiency of healthcare systems and to provide better patient care.
With a strong focus on improving healthcare outcomes and services, the UAE government has been investing heavily in developing the healthcare sector. The government’s initiatives, coupled with the increasing adoption of AI-enabled solutions by healthcare providers, is expected to drive the growth of the AI in healthcare market in the UAE.
Another factor that is expected to contribute to the growth of the AI in healthcare market in the UAE is the increasing availability of data. The UAE government’s initiative to establish the Emirates Health Information Authority (EHIA) is expected to result in the generation of large amounts of healthcare data, which can be used to train AI algorithms.
Some of the leading AI technology providers in the healthcare sector in the UAE are IBM, Google, Microsoft, and NVIDIA.
Conclusion & Comparison Between UAE and Other Countries That are Great for Medical Tourism
The United Arab Emirates has definitely proven to be a great place to visit for medical tourism. The number of hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities in the country is impressive and the quality of care is excellent. The country has a lot to offer in terms of both medical and recreational activities.
There are many other countries that are great for medical tourism as well. Some of these countries include Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and India. Each of these countries has a lot to offer in terms of medical care and recreational activities.
Sources:
- https://www.albawaba.com/business/uae-healthcare-industry-overview
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180315005652/en/Research-and-Markets-United-Arab-Emirates-Healthcare
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uae-healthcare-sector-to-reach-usd-16-billion-by-2021-300615512.html
- World Trade Center Abu Dhabi. (2018). The UAE is Poised to Become a Leading Destination for Medical Tourism. [online] Available at: https://www.wtcabudhabi.ae/en/news/the-uae-is-poised-to-become-a-leading-destination-for-medical-tourism [Accessed 18 Apr. 2018].
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company. (2018). The UAE is Poised to Become a Leading Destination for Medical Tourism. [online] Available at: https://www.adnec.ae/en/media-centre/press-releases/the-uae-is-poised-to-become-a-leading-destination-for-medical-tourism
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- https://www.health-tourism.com/hospitals/abudhabi/ https://www.health-tourism.com/hospitals/sharjah/
- https://www.health-tourism.com/hospitals/ras-al-khaimah/