GCC lags behind in attracting medical tourism (page 2 of 2)

One in four UAE residents is diabetic. Osteoporosis is another severe problem among the elderly. "Because men and women likewise protect their skin against the strong sunshine in this part of the world throughout their entire lives, their bodies often cannot produce enough Vitamin D, which is an essential ingredient for stable bone development", explains Dr Zimmermann.

Moreover, there are fields where the GCC is lagging behind industrial states. "This region lacks specialism in neurosurgery and neurology", Dr Kamel says. In other segments, there is an excess supply. Driving down Jumeirah road, one has the impression that there are more beauty surgeries based in Dubai than dentists.

Expansion of medical facilities

The good news is that new medical centres are mushrooming in the region, leading to competition and hopefully better services. "We are currently examining opportunities outside the UAE and we would be ready to expand", says Dr Kamel. Qatar is currently finalizing Hamad Medical City (HMC) in Doha. This complex would be made up of three hospitals with a total bed capacity of 1,100, to be executed over phases at a total cost of QR 3.2bn.

The Saudi German Hospital Group, owned by Saudi tycoon Al-Bartajee is setting up a new hospital in Dubai, comprising 300 beds. Saudi German Hospitals Group is considered the largest private Healthcare company in the Mena region. It plans to open at least five hospitals per year in the region during the next five years, creating 50,000 jobs in the sector.

Spill-over effects will be felt in the form of higher spending in the establishment of research and development, internationally compatible medical curriculaes and the exchange of know-how. Dubai has already established another free zone, the Dubai Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech), for research, development and the production of pharmaceuticals. DuBiotech has attracted 48 business partners (as yet), among them leading brand names such as Amgen, Merck-Serono and Pfizer.

A cure is good, but prevention is better. Awareness programmes to teach young people about breast cancer or Aids, topics which have been taboos for quite a while in the Middle East, are also steps into the right direction.