siliconindia | | December 20198ver the last decade, the healthcare industry has emerged as one of the most important sectors contributing to the overall economic diversification. At the same time, it is the need of the hour to look for alternatives as oil prices have started dipping and non-oil trades and business have proved to be that alternative for UAE. The promotion of public-private partnerships in the field of healthcare along with mandatory insurance coverage has successfully encouraged private players to setup facilities and invest in UAE's infrastructure. With people becoming more health-conscious and seeking preventive care rather than curative care, the sector has become a promising one. UAE as a Hub of Medical TourismIn recent times, Medical tourism has seen global growth with estimated annual revenues between $50-65 billion with an annual growth of approximately 15-20 percent. Countries have invested millions to supply services for the increase in demand of quality services across borders. The UAE initiated a major drive to attract medical tourists with a partnership between the Department of Health and the Department of Culture and Tourism. A worldwide marketing campaign is on the way with an aim to establish the Emirates as the hub of medical tourism.The key focus of the campaign is to highlight generally complex yet areas of medical excellence like open-heart surgery and cancer treatment, which are not easily available in the region. UAE also plans to add packages that offer discounts on attractions for family members accompanying the patients. Significantly, Dubai has made an advance in the field. The medical tourism industry has generated more than AED1.4 billion for Dubai in 2016. A total of 326,649 medical tourists visited Dubai. The data shows an increase of 9.5 percent UAE IS ALL SET TO DEVELOP WORLD-CLASS CENTRE FOR MEDICAL TOURISMAli is an industry professional with over 15 years of experience in insurance sector in the Middle East and India.OBy Ali Zaidi, General Manager, Aafiya TPAIN MY OPINIONAli Zaidi, General Manager
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