One of the most cited benefits of attending the World Medical Tourism and Global Health Congress is being provided the chance to network with others involved in the industry and discovering new opportunities for growth and development. Several sessions at this years Congress were dedicated to this idea and showcased two burgeoning nations particularly striving to position themselves as successful medical tourism destinations.
DUBAI
The population of Dubai according to Dubai Health Authority Clinical Support Services Sector CEO Laila Al Jassmis presentation increased by 43 percent from 2003 to 2008 and continues to rise by nearly 10000 every month. To keep up with this growing population Al Jassmi said Dubai must strengthen its private healthcare core.Dubai is very well established as a business climate and a growing private medical sector Al Jassmi said.
The government of Dubai is closely involved with the quality and availability of healthcare and takes great measures to ensure the health of Dubai residents and visitors and promote healthcare and preventative measures she said. However there are many opportunities for investment.2025 has been declared a goal year by the government and a progressive list of healthcare-focused objectives has been undertaken.
The objectives include reducing the burden of injuries and infectious diseases as well as improving the health status of UAE nationals and in order to be accomplished will require the implementation of educational programs policy revisions health screenings and national surveys.
The healthcare services of Dubai are being strongly enhanced and developed Al Jassmi said.As the government of Dubai sets out to further improve the state of its healthcare system medical tourism investment opportunities abound.We are looking to have some specialty centers of excellence and services that would serve the needs of those living in the Emirates Al Jassmi said. Hospitals specialty clinics rehabilitation centers there are many opportunities here in Dubai.
SAUDI ARABIA
We all know that tourism is a global industry and that one in every 12 people works in this industry. There are different types of tourism but they are all connected said Dr. Ali Al Sanousi Medical Informatics Consultant at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre. In Saudi Arabia religious tourism is the heart and soul of all other tourism.Dr. Sanousi along with the many Saudi Arabian physicians business owners and travel industry members that share his passion believe that medical tourism will soon play a close second to the religious tourism that brings so many to his country every year.
Tourism is Saudi Arabias second largest source of income generating approximately $13.8 billion annually and is also the third largest source of employment. By 2019 income from international travel and tourism to Saudi Arabia is predicted to reach $63.7 billion.The opportunities are humongous its a new domain Dr. Sanousi said.For participants in the medical tourism industry looking to develop new business relations in the Middle East Saudi Arabia is promising.
It has the largest economy in the region with a national budget of $144 billion and a surplus of $20.4 billion. With 386 hospitals 54724 hospital beds and 55000 physicians a successful healthcare infrastructure is well on its way to being fully established.
You should expect world class physicians state-of-the-art accredited hospitals top of the line treatments and clinical outcomes all for reasonable cost Dr. Sanousi said.Technological advancement is the current focus in Saudi Arabia with significant investments being directed toward IT development according to Dr. Sanousi.Recently IT investments are increasing because of new policies in the states and worldwide and healthcare is now considered to be the fastest growing IT market Dr. Sanousi said.
