Dubai, October 22, 2014 - ASIATODAY.COM - Dubai hosted the 1st Regional Health Regulation Conference at Conrad Hotel, Dubai.
More than 1000 professionals in the field of health regulation and medical tourism took part in the congress.
HE. Eng. Essa Al Maidoor, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority, said, during his opening speech: “ Health regulation is fundamental to achieve quality health services and protect patient safety, a strong health regulatory system leads to sustained growth of the health sector which in itself is a catalyst for medical tourism. This conference provides an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss the latest advances as well as share their experience in the field of health regulation and medical tourism.”
HE. Erdem Ozan, Consul General of the Republic of Turkey in Dubai and Northern Emirates, discussed the growth of medical tourism in Turkey during his speech. He highlighted the importance of international accrediatitions for healthcare facilities. He added that international accrediations ensure facilities adhere to high standards of care which is vital for the growth of the health sector.
His Excellency Warawudh Chuwiruch, Ambassador of Thailand to the UAE also highlighted the importance of international accreditations and highly skilled talent-pool for the success of medical tourism.
He also added that Thailand offers medical tourism packages which are all-inclusive and this strongly appeals to foreign patients. It helps tourists combine medical and leisure tourism.
Dr Layla Al Marzouqi, Acting Director of Health Regulation Department, said: “ Dubai already has a strong regulatory health system and we are keen to further build on it. This conference provides an ideal opportunity to discuss the latest advances in the field of health regulations as well as medical tourism.
The Authority has strongly promoted international accreditations and presently more than 72 per cent of our hospitals in Dubai have international accreditations and the remaining are working on obtaining it as it is a mandatory requirement. In terms of medical tourism, we are closely working with the private sector to ensure we offer comprehensive medical services.”
She said Dubai has over 2,579 health facilities in Dubai both in the public and private sectors. These facilities employ more than 27,261 healthcare professionals. Dubai has more than 7000 physicians speaking more than 60 languages and has amongst the best tourism infrastructure in the world.
She added that a medical tourism exhibition is taking place in parallel during the congress and that the DHA’s primary health care sector and several private hospitals are offering discounted wellness packages to the public during the conference.
The conference is organized by DHA and INDEX Conferences & Exhibitions and supported by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences, Department of Commerce and Tourism Marketing, Dubai Sports Council, General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs, Emirates Airlines as well as several private health facilities such as Mediclinic, Saudi German Hospitals, Tarabichi’s Centre of Joint Surgery, Burjeel Hospital, Aster Medical, Al Garhoud Private Hospital, Iranian Hospital, Julphar, to name a few.
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Suzan Mounzer
Tel: +971 43624717
E-mail: suzan.mounzer@index.ae
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