Dubai: Giving a fillip to medical tourism in the emirate, the number of private medical health facilities have witnessed a four per cent increase to 3,018 in the second quarter of this year compared to the first quarter, the Dubai Heath Authority (DHA) has revealed.
The addition of new facilities includes private hospitals, speciality health centres, pharmacies, diagnostic centres and dental centres.
Humaid Al Qutami, chairman of the Board and director-general of the DHA, said the big capabilities, infrastructure, modern facilities and procedures make Dubai an attractive destination for the private sector to invest in, especially in the medical field, which has been witnessing an annual growth.
He added that the DHA is developing all its systems to create a suitable environment for local and international investors in the medical field. The authority is also working on developing standards and regulations to provide international medical services, which are supported by the latest state-of-the-art technology.
During a meeting held with Al Qutami, DHA’s Health Regulation Department officials led by director Dr Marwan Al Mulla highlighted the action plan and initiatives that the authority is planning on implementing.
This action plan aims to develop the private medical facilities through regulation, individual and facility licensing, conducting inspections as well as reaffirming the relationship between private and public sectors.
During the meeting, Al Qutami stressed on the importance of auditing papers, scientific certificates and documents when providing licences to individuals and facilities adding that it is important to make sure that the buildings of health centres, clinics and hospitals are disability friendly before providing the licence (in collaboration with the parties concerned in Dubai).
He added that it is important to reassess medical fines to make them compatible with the services provided and Dubai’s existing laws and regulations to prevent any illegality that can cause mistrust among customers in health services provided in Dubai.
Al Qutami also directed the regulations department to develop their systems and inspection methods to benefit the public and ensure that the authority achieves customer satisfaction with the medical services provided in the city. He also called upon the department to raise awareness among the public about the level of medical services expected at private medical facilities and inform them about the smart systems available to voice their complaints. He said that it is important that the private medical services’ advertisements are at par with what is being offered in reality and the UAE’s culture.
