A report issued by the Dubai Health Authority highlighted significant growth in health tourism in the emirate during 2023, in terms of the number of international patients coming for treatment and the amount spent on healthcare services. This reflects the growing global confidence in the quality and standard of health services provided by the emirate across various medical specialties, showcasing its competitive ability as a leading health tourism destination both regionally and globally.
The report underscores the collaborative efforts of the Dubai Health Authority with its strategic partners to ensure health services are integrated and of high quality, in line with the best global standards, and to achieve increasing rates in health tourism activities, aligning with the objectives of Dubai's Economic Agenda D33 aimed at doubling the emirate's economy and enhancing its global standing as a preferred destination for business, investment, and tourism.
The report noted that Dubai received 691,478 health tourists from various countries over the past year, with their medical expenditures exceeding 1.034 billion AED. These figures surpassed those of health tourism in 2022, where the number of international tourists was 674,000, and their medical spending amounted to 992 million AED.
Additionally, indirect revenues from health tourism in Dubai last year exceeded 2.305 billion AED, significantly contributing to the emirate's GDP by stimulating sectors such as aviation, hotels, hospitality, telecommunications, and others.
### Global Trust
Commenting on the results of the report, Awad Siqar Al-Ketbi, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority, stated that the increasing influx of international tourists seeking medical services in the emirate reflects growing global confidence in Dubai's healthcare sector and the quality of services provided, which adhere to the latest standards of excellence in the health field.
Al-Ketbi elaborated on the factors that have effectively contributed to stimulating health tourism in Dubai, including the development of the healthcare system in the emirate, the integration of the latest technological innovations, the availability of medical expertise, and attractive programs and initiatives for international patients, in addition to the competitive prices offered by health facilities. He also noted the government's commitment to developing the health tourism sector as a whole through effective partnerships aimed at increasing the emirate's competitiveness in this field and enhancing Dubai's position as a preferred destination for treatment and recovery.
### Commendation of Efforts
Al-Ketbi praised the continuous efforts of the private medical sector in the emirate as a strategic partner to the government sector in providing initiatives, facilities, and attractive treatment programs for patients while ensuring an excellent experience for those coming to Dubai for treatment from abroad, within a safe and comfortable environment supported by advanced and sustainable infrastructure that meets patient needs and achieves their satisfaction.
He affirmed the authority's commitment to continue developing the healthcare system in the emirate to keep pace with the new developmental phase and rapid transformations in various economic, health, and social fields, under ambitious strategic goals that reinforce Dubai's position as an inspiring global model that meets contemporary demands and future needs.
### Most Attractive Specialties
The report, based on statistics from Dubai Digital, revealed that the three medical specialties most attractive to international health tourists were: dentistry (29%), dermatology (27%), and gynecology (13%). Asian countries were the most interested in dermatology (33%), followed by Arab countries and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (28%), and European countries (23%).
Regarding dentistry, the highest demand came from Arab countries and GCC countries (48%), followed by European countries (20%) and Asian countries (19%). Patients from Asian countries showed the highest demand for gynecology (49%), followed by European countries (25%) and Arab and GCC countries (13%).
The report indicated that orthopedic surgery had the highest demand from Arab countries and GCC countries (30%), followed by Asian countries (29%) and European countries (24%). Arab and GCC countries also showed the highest interest in cosmetic procedures (43%), followed by European (21%) and Asian countries (21%).
In ophthalmology, the top three regions demanding this specialty were Asian countries (28%), followed by Arab and GCC (27%) and European countries (21%). For fertility treatments, Asian countries had the highest interest (36%), followed by Arab and GCC countries (22%) and European countries (21%). Furthermore, the top three regions seeking rehabilitation and recovery in Dubai were European countries (35%), followed by Arab and GCC countries (30%) and Asian countries (21%).
The report also showed that 58% of total international health tourists were women, while men constituted 42%. The majority of international patients came from Asia (33%), followed by Arab and GCC countries (28%), and European countries and the Commonwealth of Independent States (23%).