A majority of the health tourists were from Asian countries, accounting for 38 per cent of the total, while 24 per cent were from Europe and 22 per cent from Arab and GCC nations
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) recorded a whopping 630,000 international health tourists in 2021. These international medical tourists spent nearly AED730 million in the past year despite the global Covid-19 pandemic.
The report from DHA released during the recently concluded Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, pointed out that a majority of the health tourists were from Asian countries, accounting for 38 per cent of the total, while 24 per cent were from Europe and 22 per cent from Arab and GCC nations.
Of the total number, 55 per cent of the international health tourists were men and 45 per cent were women. Around 70 per cent of treatment given to international health tourists was provided at multidisciplinary clinics, 16 per cent at hospitals, and 14 per cent at one-day surgery centres.
The three medical specialties that attracted the most health tourists were dermatology (43 per cent), dentistry (18 per cent), and gynecology (16 per cent). Other medical specialties included orthopedics, plastic surgery, ophthalmology, health and wellness, and fertility treatments.
The top three regions that attracted health tourists in dentistry included Arab and GCC region at 45 per cent, Asia at 28 per cent, and Europe at 15 per cent.
The top three regions that attracted health tourists in dermatology were Asia (31 per cent), Europe (27 per cent) and Arab and GCC region (26 per cent).
The top three regions in the field of gynecology were Asia (57 per cent), Europe (15 per cent) and Arab and GCC region (13 per cent).
Specialties that attracted the most health tourists were dermatology (43 per cent), dentistry (18 per cent), and gynecology (16 per cent). Other medical specialties included orthopedics, plastic surgery, ophthalmology, health and wellness, and fertility treatments
The top three regions from which health tourists came for treatment in orthopedic surgery were Asia (36 per cent), Europe (29 per cent) and Arab and GCC region (17 per cent).
The top three regions in the field of plastic surgery were Arab and GCC region (36 per cent), Europe (31 per cent), and Asia (14 per cent).
The top three regions from which health tourists came for treatment in ophthalmology were Asia at 33 per cent, Arab and GCC region at 23 per cent and Africa at 18 per cent.
The top three regions in the field of fertility treatments were Asia (34 per cent), Africa (24 per cent) and Europe (19 per cent).
The top three regions from which health tourists came for hospital treatments were Europe (45 per cent), followed by the Arab and GCC region (25 per cent) and Asia (12 per cent).
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