Dubai set to bolster healthcare credentials
which is gradually being extended to cover all nationals as well as expatriate residents and workers.
Medical tourism draw
In an effort to build on growth in the local private health care market, one of Dubai Health Strategy 2021’s key objectives is to develop Dubai as a regional and international destination for medical tourism. By the end of the decade, the country aims to more than triple the number of health visitors from the 135,000 guests posted in 2014 to 500,000 by 2020.
By capitalising on the emirate’s centralised location in the region and offering high-level services, Dubai officials estimate the medical tourism segment could generate up to Dh2.6 billion ($708 million) per annum by 2020.“Medical tourism is an important sector, and is set to grow considerably in the coming years,” Mohaymen Abdelghany, CEO of the private Al Zahra Hospital, told OBG. “Thanks to prior investment, Dubai is well positioned to serve as a regional and international hub for these services.” Recognising the potential for medical tourism revenues, investment in the sector has expanded, with 22 new health facilities — 18 private and four public — scheduled to open in the coming years.
Facilities and hospitality
Private real estate developments targeting the medical tourism segment offer another avenue for investment.
MAG Group, a local property developer, is currently building a wellness centre at Dubai Healthcare City. “This project is part of a broader development that will include a hotel, private villas, residential areas and retail outlets,” Moafaq Ahamed Al Gaddah, chairman of MAG Group, told OBG. Residents will have direct access to treatment at the wellness centre, as well as the variety of international and local hospitals located in the DHCC, he added.
The free zone’s expansion plans have an increased focus on new hospitals and clinics, as well as pharmaceutical, research and wellness centres, and related infrastructure and development, Bader Saeed Hareb, CEO, Investment Sector, DHCC, told OBG.
“Phase 1 of DHCC, which has focused on health care services, education and research, has demonstrated steady growth at both strategic and operational levels,” he said.
“Phase 2 of DHCC, which is currently under way, will achieve significant growth through unique wellness concepts and specialised hospitals with complementary residential offerings.”