Dubai plans to attract 500,000 medical tourists by 2020 as part of its drive to become a medical excellence hub in the Middle East region and bring a new stream of visitor revenue to the emirate.

In line with this plan, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) will build 18 new private and four public hospitals over the next few years, said a WAM report.

According to the report, the UAE has doubled its healthcare budget since 2007 and currently ranks among the top 20 destinations for medical tourism.

The country spends 3.3 per cent of its GDP on healthcare, the third highest in the GCC, it added.