Dubai to host world's leading medical congresses

Under the agreement, the two bodies will set up a joint committee designed to support local doctors' efforts to attract medical meetings to the region, and also to raise awareness among the largest medical associations of the benefits of Dubai as a host destination.

Particular attention will be paid to congresses and conferences which deal with healthcare issues that have a direct impact on the lives of people in the Middle East, to ensure that there is immediate and significant social benefit from hosting such events.

The MoU is the first agreement of its kind to unite a major exhibition and meetings group like DWTC with a government health body like DoHMS in a joint initiative to attract international healthcare assemblies.

"Healthcare congresses have a direct benefit for the countries which host them, by providing an international platform for practitioners to discuss new theories and discoveries, and also by supporting doctors' professional development through access to world-class experts," said Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director General of the Department of Health & Medical Services (DoHMS).

"Globally, the healthcare industry organises the highest number of conferences of any sector and this initiative will ensure that a proper proportion of these events will be hosted within the Middle East," said Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, DWTC.

In addition to the social and medical benefits, international congresses have an important economic benefit on the local economy of the host country. A recent market report from the International Association of Meetings suggested that the largest congresses - which attract as many as 150,000 doctors, medical experts and related suppliers - inject as much as USD 125 million into the local economy, with additional benefits for hotels, retailers and tour operators.

"Apart from the huge short-term direct benefit to the economy, hosting international congresses has an even greater long-term indirect impact," said Khalid Al Fahim, Manager, Corporate Sales, Dubai World Trade Centre. "They increase Dubai's profile as a centre of excellence within this specialised knowledge-based sector and play a big role in attracting multinational companies to Dubai and indirectly spur direct foreign investment to the local medical industry," he added.

As Dubai increases its profile in the world of international events, a rising number of global groups are considering it as a potential host destination, particularly because of its advanced infrastructure, world-class hotels, public safety record and wide range of attractions.

"Both DoHMS and DWTC recognise the importance of positioning Dubai at the centre of the evolving healthcare sector and we will work together to ensure that major organisers are fully aware of the strengths of Dubai as a venue," said Al Murooshid.

DoHMS and DWTC will underscore the specific benefits for medical specialists that host their events in Dubai, emphasising the rapid advances being made in the local healthcare sector as well as the convenience of its location for Asian and European physicians looking to network together.

The two organisations will also offer focused resources for locally-based doctors and physician groups that want to bring international conferences in their disciplines to Dubai.

"Through this MoU, we are confident that we will be able to attract a rising number of specialist healthcare congresses to Dubai, and firmly believe that the community and the economy will benefit significantly as a result," Al Marri concluded.