More than 350,000 health tourists arrived in Dubai last year as health officials continue ramp up investments in state-of-the-art medical equipment.

The emirate witnessed a 4 percent increase in its health tourist arrivals in 2019 to reach 350,118 compared to 2018. The majority of them arrived from Asia (34 percent), followed by medical tourists from Arab and Gulf countries (28 percent), Europeans (17 percent), Africans (10 percent) and arrivals from the Americas and other regions, also 10 percent.

During the first half of 2020, Dubai Health Authority issued 3,397 licences to health facilities in Dubai, while 45 new health facilities, a hospital, and 10 general and specialised medical clinics were inaugurated during the period.

Moreover, Dubai has 20 licensed centre specialising in traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (TCAM) which employ 234 professionals.

The facilities helped Dubai maintain its top position as the leading Arab destination for medical travellers for the second year in a row, based on the latest Global Medical Tourism Index, which was recently released by the International Healthcare Research Center (IHRC).

Worldwide, the emirate ranked sixth on the list of 46 destinations after scoring high across the index’s three main criteria. It was ranked fifth in quality and services facilities benchmark; seventh in the environmental destination; and 13th in terms of its medical tourism industry.

Canada topped the global list, followed by Singapore, Japan, Spain, the United Kingdom and Dubai.

Dr Marwan Al Mulla, CEO - Health Regulation Sector, Dubai Health Authority, said: “The latest recognition once again emphasises the quality of healthcare services in Dubai and its attractiveness as a global healthcare centre... Dubai positions itself as a destination where medical and wellness tourists from all over the world can avail of safe, reliable, and innovative services that will help improve their health and, consequently, the quality of their life.

We have placed all the necessary precautionary measures recommended by local and global health authorities to ensure the safety of our local and international patients.”

Mohamed Al Mehri, director, Health Tourism Department, DHA said: “We encourage health tourists to start planning their treatments that have been put on hold because of the current situation.

“Amid the Covid-19, Dubai continues to offer its remarkable healthcare services. Thanks to its efforts to safeguard the health of all patients, medical personnel and the members of the wider local community, Dubai remains one of the safest destinations for medical tourists from all over the world,” he added.

According to a report last year, dental treatment is the most popular taken by health tourists in Dubai, accounting for 46 percent, while orthopedics made up 18 percent and dermatology 10 percent. Ophthalmology, wellness, aesthetics and fertility treatments were also popular.