H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, in a ceremony on Sunday, launched Dubai as the world’s first medical tourism hub.

Driven by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), the move comes in lines with the vision of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to develop the tourism sector and make Dubai city a hub for medical, family and shopping tourism capable to woo over 500,000 tourists with the advent of Expo 2020 Dubai.

With medical infrastructure in terms of hospitals, clinics and medical centres spread across Dubai, the city is capable of competing globally in this vital medical tourism sector.

Sheikh Hamdan sealed the model passport, announcing the start of reception of tourists in Dubai from around the world.

Humaid Al Qutami, Chairman of the DHA’s Board of Directors and its Director-General, said at the ceremony while welcoming the Crown Prince of Dubai, "It is an epochal step for the authority, which prepared this ambitious medical tourism sector project through the experience of Dubai's healthcare programme. It offers a range of world-class medical specialties."

He noted that this would be enhanced through cooperation and coordination with the DHA strategic partners in Dubai, notably Emirates Airlines, the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in addition to a number of competent private sector corporations.

Source:WAM