Dubai plans to launch the first package under its medical tourism programme in october this year, a senior official has said.

“The first package will be wellness and preventive services package. This includes executive full body check-up, etc,” said Dr Ramadan Ibrahim, director of medical regulation and director of the medical tourism programme.

Dr Ibrahim added that the Dubai medical tourism website will be launched by the last quarter of 2014 with all member details and hyperlinks.

Dubai-based hospitals and health facilities interested in being part of the emirate's medical tourism initiative have been advised to fill out the detailed medical tourism eligibility form and submit all documents with the Dubai medical tourism office.

The documents will then be evaluated by the medical tourism committee and the hospitals will receive platinum, gold or silver membership based on their score, said Dr Ibrahim.

Speaking after a meeting with all stakeholders of the medical tourism initiative, Dr Ibrahim said: “The committee will look into detailed aspects of every health facility. For example, they need to provide us details of the specialties they would like to promote, the details of the doctors who provide those specialties, the number of procedures they have conducted etc.  All this information will be re-verified with the  DHA health regulation office as part of the secondary verification check.  In addition to medical facilities, we will also evaluate healthcare facilities on the basis of the comfort and ease they provide patients. This includes checking whether they have translators, chauffer services etc, which will all be part of the medical tourism package. At the end of the day, it’s about providing excellence in medical service."

Dr Ibrahim  added that in order to achieve this, hospitals will be asked to chalk out medical tourism packages. The package will include treatment, visa, hotel accommodation as well as recreational activities for families who accompany the patient.

“All relevant stakeholders including immigration, the aviation industry, the hospitality sector, public and private hospitals will work together to ensure medical tourists receive both excellent treatment as well as world-class hospitality," he said.

Engineer Essa Al Maidoor, director-general of the Dubai Health Authority, said: “We look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure we device a comprehensive system that provides patients with convenience from the time they enter Dubai right through treatment and even follow-up.

"Dubai is the world’s leading destination for tourism and leisure and since Dubai offers excellent healthcare facilities, medical tourism is an extension of the hospitality that Dubai is synonymous with.  Ensuring that all players work hand-in-hand with us and are aligned with the overall medical tourism strategy, will ensure smooth functioning of a dynastic health sector and will benefit both medical tourists as well as the healthcare providers.” - TradeArabia News Service