Abu Dhabi’s plan to grow medical tourism

Medical tourism represents an integral part of Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030 for economic diversification. While the launch of a medical tourism network and website is running behind schedule, it is ultimately seeking to do as well as or better than its UEA rival Dubai in medical tourism.

Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, needs to diversify away from an oil-based economy.

In line with the ‘Abu Dhabi Vision 2030’, it is bringing together key players in tourism, transport, immigration and healthcare to offer high quality, specialised healthcare to international patients.

The Department of Health (HAAD), in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), is building a network of service providers to attract international patients using existing local expertise and capacity in healthcare and infrastructure in Abu Dhabi.
For the last year, HAAD has been working with healthcare providers interested in becoming members of a new medical tourism network. The launch of this network and website is running behind schedule, as original plans were for it to be in place in 2018. Consultants have been appointed by TCA however, and one of their first tasks is to develop a medical tourism guide to Abu Dhabi, listing public and private hospitals.

Medical tourism represents an integral part of Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030 and economic diversification. The aim is to increase brand awareness and diversify the demographic of incoming patients, while boosting the reputation of Abu Dhabi as a major medical tourism destination. Key areas they plan to promote will be cardiology, oncology, weight loss surgery, eye surgery, diabetes treatment and health screening.

Abu Dhabi holds more than 80% of the land in the UAE and, being the capital, has more political importance than Dubai. Abu Dhabi seeks to do as well or better than its UEA rival Dubai in medical tourism.

The state admits that it needs to bring in international healthcare providers, specialist services and overseas doctors to be able to offer more medical tourism. Healthcare costs are high, which could deter medical tourists.
For a more detailed analysis of inbound medical tourism prospects for Abu Dhabi, visit the UAE IMTJ Country Profile.