Dubai opens new £8.1m hospital just for camels

Pristine operating theatres and state-of-the-art medical equipment are featured in a new Dubai hospital that opened last week – exclusively for camels.

Camels are an important part of the Gulf Arab state’s heritage. Camel races and beauty pageants are a favourite recreation for locals, and some fetch millions of dollars at auction.

The Dubai Camel Hospital cost 40 million dirhams (£8.1million) and is the first in the world, said Mohamed Al Bulooshi, the hospital’s director. Staffed by international veterinarians, the hospital can treat 20 camels. It also has a mini-race track to get camels up and running after their treatment.