The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) held a meeting with private sector hospitals to discuss the role of healthcare facilities and importance of medical tourism packages.

The DHA move was aimed at strengthening the medical tourism initiative for Dubai.

At the meeting, the experts discussed key focus areas of treatment for medical tourism and the introduction of medical tourism packages to provide medical tourists and their families with excellent healthcare, recreational and touristic facilities- all under one package, for their convenience.

Essa Al Maidoor, the director-general of the DHA, said it was working with all relevant stakeholders to streamline the medical tourism initiative for the emirate.

"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," remarked Al Maidoor.

"Ensuring that all private 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," he added.

Dr Ramadan Ibrahim, the director of medical regulation and director of the medical tourism program, said: “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 that Dubai is synonymous with.”

He said the next step for the hospitals and health facilities interested in being part of this initiative is to fill out the detailed medical tourism eligibility form and submit all documents with the Dubai medical tourism department within the DHA regulation section.

Ibrahim said: "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."

“The first package will be launched in September this year and will be wellness and preventive services package. This includes executive full body check-ups,” he stated.

The Dubai medical tourism website will be will be launched by the last quarter of 2014- all member details and hyperlinks will be on the comprehensive site.-TradeArabia News Service