Dubai's private health facilities hit record 4,482 in 2022

Dubai has emerged as one of the world’s leading healthcare destinations in recent years, thanks to a combination of factors that have made it an attractive destination for both patients and healthcare providers.

According to official statistics released by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) for 2022, the emirate boasts an impressive 4,482 medical facilities across the private sector, a 45 per cent growth in five years. These facilities provide care across a range of medical specialities and sub-specialities. They are located throughout the emirate to ensure easy access for community members and an increasing number of medical tourists that choose Dubai for the quality of its facilities, care providers, and services.

Along with the growth in the number of healthcare facilities, Dubai has also witnessed an impressive 61 per cent increase in licenced medical professionals to reach 55,208 in 2022.

Dr Marwan Al Mulla, CEO of the Health Regulation Sector at the DHA, highlighted the factors that have contributed to establishing one of the world’s best healthcare systems in Dubai. "We strive to fulfil the mandate of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the best city in the world. The ease of processes, investment support, Dubai’s location, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and the emirate’s forward-thinking approach have contributed to the growth of high-quality multinational and specialised facilities in the city.

"Under the guidance of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, we aim to expand further Dubai’s private health facilities in line with our efforts to continue to develop this vital sector.”

DHA’s projections for 2023 and beyond estimate growth of 10-15 per cent for medical professionals and 3-6 percent for facilities.

A range of healthcare facilities

Dubai’s private health facilities include 56 hospitals, 57 day-care surgery centres, 59 diagnostic centres, 21 specialised centres for People of Determination, and 1,566 specialised outpatient clinics. The facilities also include 417 school clinics, 154 home healthcare agencies, nine fertility centres, six dialysis centres, three cord blood and stem cell centres, a gastrointestinal endoscopy centre, 49 dental laboratories, 17 telehealth centres, four patient transfer service centres, 57 facilities for traditional, complementary and alternative medicine, 1,353 pharmaceutical facilities, 17 medicine storage facilities, and 410 optical centres.

These facilities offer a wide range of medical services, including advanced diagnostic procedures, specialised treatments, and surgical procedures. Many private hospitals in Dubai are accredited by international bodies such as the Joint Commission International (JCI) and the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), ensuring they meet the highest quality and patient safety standards.

Dubai’s healthcare infrastructure includes several specialised medical centres that provide expert care for specific medical conditions. The Dubai Diabetes Centre provides comprehensive care for patients with diabetes, while the Dubai Cancer Centre offers specialised treatment for cancer patients. Additionally, Dubai is home to several leading research centres, such as the Dubai Genomics Centre, which focuses on genetic research and personalised medicine.

Dubai’s healthcare infrastructure also includes many telemedicine services enabling patients to consult with doctors remotely. This increases the accessibility of healthcare services and can be especially useful for people who live in remote areas or have mobility issues.

Setting new benchmarks in medical tourism

According to the latest Medical Tourism Index, Dubai ranks No. 1 in the Middle East and North Africa and No. 6 in the world for medical tourism, with the city ranking No. 5 globally on the sub-index of Quality of Facilities & Services. Dubai’s emergence as a significant player in the private healthcare sector is driven by its high standards and regulations, making it a popular destination for medical tourism thanks to high-quality healthcare.

Dubai is home to several world-class hospitals and clinics that offer a wide range of medical treatments and procedures - highly trained and experienced medical professionals staff these healthcare facilities, using the latest technology and equipment to provide the best possible care to patients.

WAM