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Dubai has kept its first spot as the leading Arab destination for medical tourists for the second year in a row, based on the Global Medical Tourism Index, which was lately released by the International Healthcare Research Center (IHRC).

Worldwide, the emirate, one of the globes most preferred visitor hubs, placed sixth on the list of 46 individual destinations, pondering anew its competitiveness in providing excellent healthcare assistance to international health travellers and success in building advanced medical support and facilities.

Dubai has retained its number one rank in the region after procuring high across the indexs three main criteria. It was placed fifth in quality and assistance facilities benchmark; seventh in the environmental address; and 13th in terms of its medical tourism industry.

This latest performance is the effect of increased efforts by the Dubai Government, designed by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), to increase its medical tourism sector as one of the key pillars of its business diversification and development policies.

Large investments have been allocated to build modern hospitals with state-of-the-art facilities in Dubai and bring international doctors across various disciplines. During the first half of 2020, DHA announced 3,397 licenses to health facilities in Dubai, while 45 new health facilities, a hospital, and 10 general and specialized medical clinics were introduced through the period.

Moreover, Dubai has 20 accredited centres training in traditional, parallel, and alternative medicine (TCAM). These centres currently offer eight TCAM services and employ 234 professionals. At least 20 dedicated healing centres being managed by licensed health experts are operating in the emirate as well.

Thanks to its contemporary facilities and a definite commitment to improving the practice of international patients and wellness tourists, the emirate witnessed a 4 per cent increase in its health tourist arrivals

in 2019 to reach 350,118 related to 2018. The preponderance of them were Asians at 34 per cent, followed by medical tourists from Arab and Gulf countries at 28 per cent; European countries at 17 per cent; African nations at 10 per cent; and the Americas and others at 10 per cent.

Reflecting on this, Dr Marwan Al Mulla, CEO - Health Regulation Sector, Dubai Health Authority, said: The most advanced credit once again highlights the variety of healthcare settings in Dubai and its attractiveness as a global healthcare centre. This accomplishment is the result of our acknowledgement to the directives of our wise leadership to improve the administrative framework within our medical system and build world-class healthcare support and abilities that meet the needs of more robust and happier cities in the country.

Dubai places itself as a target where medicinal and wellness visitors from all over the world can avail of safe, secure, and innovative settings that will help increase their health and, consequently, the state of their life. We have put all the required careful measures supported by local and global health professionals to guarantee the safety of our local and international patients.

DHA has been driving the efforts to place Dubai in the global medical tourism map by strengthening the international communitys faith in the emirate. As a result of this responsibility, the prestigious Dubai Health Experience (DXH) brand was born, with the Authority continuously working towards achieving industry best methods and adopting universal criteria for patient care.

Mohamed Al Mehri, Director, Health Tourism Department, said: Many of our DXH Group affiliate healthcare facilities are implementing other medical opinions and teleconsultations. We promote health tourists to start preparing their practices that have been held put on hold because of the current situation.

Amid the COVID-19, Dubai remains to offer its exceptional healthcare services. Thanks to its endeavours to safeguard the health of all patients, medical personnel and the members of the wider local community, Dubai remains one of the safest destinations for medical tourists from all over the world, he concluded.

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