UAE has been ranked the best medical tourism destination among GCC countries by the US-based Medical Tourism Association.

The ranking is based on a variety of factors, including destination environment, patient experience, current levels of medical tourism, and the attractiveness of traditional tourism.

According to a study by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, medical tourism in UAE generated 12.1 billion dirhams in 2018, 5.5 percent higher than in 2017. The sector is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.7 percent for the next five years and earn the country 19.5 billion dirhams by 2023, according to a state news agency, WAM, report.

Meanwhile, Dubai maintained its sixth ranking globally and the first among Arab countries in the Global Medical Tourism Index issued by the International Health Care Research Center (IHRC).

With plans to achieve herd immunity by the first quarter of 2021 by inoculating as much as 70 percent of its residents, the UAE will start manufacturing Sinopharm Group Co’s vaccine this year. To rev up the economy, the Emirates is already promoting free vaccines as an additional perk.

Visit Dubai posted the announcement on its website: “Do you want to mix business with pleasure in Dubai? With a new one-year virtual working programme, you can live and work by the beach. An added benefit of the program is that all UAE residents receive COVID-19 vaccinations free of charge.”

The UAE is at the forefront of many global indicators in the field of health, as in 2019 it ranked first in 7 global indicators, according to a report issued in 2020 by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre.

The UAE ranked first globally in terms of number of accredited health facilities with 221 accredited hospitals, medical centres and health facilities, according to the results of the semi-annual report of the Joint Commission International (JCI) which identifies, measures, and shares best practices in quality and patient safety with the world.

The UAE also approved a policy of providing comprehensive health care for all citizens and residents alike, through its preventive and curative programmes, through the health services network at all levels, and providing health care on a global level as it is one of the 6 pillars of the UAE National Agenda 2021.

(Writing by Brinda Darasha; editing by Seban Scaria)
brinda.darasha@refinitiv.com

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© ZAWYA 2021