UAE | Tourism
Abu Dhabi unveils medical tourism plan
Emirate to host World Ophthalmology Congress that is expected to attract 12,000 delegates.
- By Dina El Shammaa Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:40 November 18, 2008
Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority has revealed an ambitious strategy of medical tourism in Abu Dhabi.
"We have just finished the second phase of the Abu Dhabi Exhibition Centre, which measures 30-50,000 square metres and can receive up to 50 exhibitions annually and the number is multiplying," he said at a press conference.
"Medical tourism requires provision of medical infrastructure and medical care to provide world class medical services and we are moving around that direction," added Shaikh Tahnoun.
It was also announced at the conference that the UAE capital will host one of the world's oldest running international medical meetings that is expected to attract over 12,000 international delegates, making it the largest congress to be held in the history of the UAE, said senior officials yesterday.
The 33rd World Ophthalmology Congress (WOC) will be held in 2020 in the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre with the aim of enhancing ophthalmic education and improving access to eye care across the UAE and all over the world.
WOC, sponsored by the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) and established in 1857, is held every two years in different regions across the world.
"This conference will help highlight the real image of the region and give opportunity to academics and doctors to get acquainted with the medical developments in the UAE," said Dr Abdul Aziz Al Rajhi, Middle East African Council of Ophthalmology and ICO Board Member.
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