The Middle Eastern market is a goldmine for medical tourism. With its rising affluence and an increasing demand for high-quality healthcare services, patients from this region are frequently traveling abroad for medical treatments. Understanding the unique characteristics, cultural aspects, and expectations of Middle Eastern patients is crucial for foreign clinics and hospitals seeking to attract this market.
A Unique Target Market
Middle Eastern patients often seek healthcare services that either might not be readily available in their home countries or they perceive the quality of care to be superior abroad. Common areas of interest include elective surgeries, specialized treatments, and wellness programs.
Here are a few things that make the Middle Eastern market unique:
Cultural Sensitivity
Understanding and respecting Middle Eastern culture is critical. For instance, gender sensitivity is essential. Female patients often prefer female doctors, especially for gynecological issues. Furthermore, family is a central part of Middle Eastern culture, and patients often travel with family members.
Dietary Requirements
Halal food is a necessity for Muslim patients. Hospitals and clinics must ensure that they can provide or direct patients to Halal food options.
Language Assistance
Arabic is the principal language in the Middle East. Providing Arabic-speaking staff or translators is vital for effective communication.
Market Opportunity
The Middle Eastern healthcare market presents a significant opportunity due to its sheer size and willingness to spend on high-quality healthcare services. Clinics and hospitals must, however, differentiate themselves through exceptional patient experiences, cultural competence, and cutting-edge medical technology.
Tapping into the Market
To effectively penetrate the Middle Eastern market, hospitals and clinics should:
- Have a dedicated team for international patients, with expertise in Middle Eastern culture.
- Establish partnerships with travel agencies to facilitate seamless travel experiences.
- Offer comprehensive healthcare packages, including pre and post-operative care.
- Develop a strong online presence to cater to the tech-savvy Middle Eastern population.
Enhancing Preparedness with Global Healthcare Accreditation
Hospitals and clinics looking to tap into the Middle Eastern market should consider working with Global Healthcare Accreditation. GHA helps in performing a Gap Analysis to evaluate the readiness of healthcare providers in catering to international patients, particularly from the Middle East.
Top hospitals worldwide have collaborated with GHA for training, accreditation, and gap analysis. GHA-accredited healthcare providers are recognized for their cultural training and competence to deliver exceptional patient experiences. Middle Eastern patients are encouraged to seek GHA accredited providers as they are best-prepared to manage their healthcare needs, turning them into living testimonials for friends and family.
Having a GHA accreditation builds trust with healthcare consumers. Trust is an essential factor for patients when choosing which hospital and country to travel to for medical care. Furthermore, GHA provides ongoing support to ensure that healthcare providers continually improve their services, leading to better patient satisfaction and retention.
Take the Next Step with Medical Tourism Association
At the bottom of your to-do list should be a call to action for partnering with the Medical Tourism Association. If attracting patients from the Middle East is your goal, then your next step should be contacting Global Healthcare Resources, who are experts in market penetration for B2C medical tourist referrals and B2B referrals.
Global Healthcare Resources holds the largest network and audience of consumers and buyers globally and operates in every region. The Medical Tourism Association has launched various initiatives in Korea, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Washington DC, Florida, Miami, Las Vegas, Colombia, Costa Rica, and more.
Don't let this opportunity slip away. Start building a bridge to the Middle Eastern healthcare market today and create a niche for your healthcare institution.
