Dubai Health Experience explores new trends in health tourism post-COVID-19

In collaboration with Dubai Health Experience (DXH) and Knight Frank, the Health Tourism Department of the Dubai Health Authority organised a webinar on Tuesday, August 11, 2020, under the theme ‘Re-energizing Medical Tourism in Dubai’. Featuring an informative session targeting the health tourism sector, the panellists included Mohamed Al Mheiri, Director, Health Tourism Department, Dubai Health Authority; Shehzad Jamal, Partner, Healthcare and Education, Knight Frank Middle East; Dr. Mohaymen Abdelghany, CEO of Al Zahra Hospital, Dubai; Andre Daoud, CEO of Medcare Hospitals and Medical Centers, Dubai; and Joe Hawayek, Senior Director, Head of Health (MEA), Aetna.

During the webinar, Al Mheiri said that the healthcare providers in Dubai have exemplified their strengths and capabilities to lead the fight against COVID-19, and this is highly visible in the results of the very high rate of recovery in the emirate and in the UAE. The pandemic has paved the way for the healthcare industry to take a closer look at its capabilities to curb the spread of the disease, including the use of telehealth and the implementation of higher safety measures in hospitals to resume full outpatient and inpatient activities.

Dubai accounts for the largest share in the regional medical tourism market and is one of the top healthcare destinations in the world thanks to its advanced patient care and state-of-the-art treatments and healthcare diagnostics and technology.

The panel of experts in the webinar also discussed the opportunities available in key sources markets as the world continues to navigate the uncertainties brought about by COVID-19. It further explored the discussions on the value of second medical opinion through telehealth from the UAE’s perspective and raised the matter on international medical tourists’ coverage and the inclusion of wellness services.

“The Health Tourism Department continues to raise its level of support to Dubai’s efforts of becoming the world’s most preferred health tourism destination and centre of excellence for accredited healthcare facilities. As we look beyond the COVID-19 crisis, we are poised to increase the adoption of prevention and alternative health practices in the emirate as some of the important health measures that can enhance one’s health immunity and promote a healthy lifestyle,” Al Mheiri concluded.