Dubai eases visa regulations to promote medical tourism

The DHA (Dubai Health Authority) and The GDRFA-D (General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs Dubai) inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 9 October during the 37th edition of GITEX 2017 to boost Dubai’s medical tourism, share knowledge and improve health services offered at facilities of the DHA.

Humaid Al Qutami, Director General of the DHA, and Major General Mohammad Al Marri, Director General of the GDRFA-D, were the signatories of the MoU.

The aim of the MoU is to elevate Dubai's status as a global destination for medical tourists by easing visa restrictions for medical tourists who want to be treated in Dubai.

The MoU will see both the parties partnering in encouraging their services in a bid to support Dubai’s medical tourism on channels of social media and via www.dnrd.ae and www.dxh.ae. They will also coordinate to set up a mechanism to grant medical tourism visas for patients coming from outside the UAE.

In addition, the MoU will also make it simpler to acquire health services in DHA hospitals and overseas for employees of GDRFA-D. On the other hand, the GDRFA-D will ease mechanisms for breaching departing long-term patients staying in hospitals.

The MoU will also see both parties holding workshops to make employees and customers aware of their joint services, knowledge sharing and skills.

Commenting on the MoU, Khaleej Times quotes Al Qutami as stressing the value of collaborating with GDRFA-D because it leaves no stone unturned in supporting the goals of DHA, particularly those associated with the promotion of Dubai as the top destination for medical tourism.

Meanwhile, Al Marri said GDRFA-D too will not give it its best efforts to strengthen its relations with governments and departments of Dubai to support the constructive drive of all sectors in Dubai, with special emphasis on the health sector.

If you are looking to travel to Dubai for medical treatment, get in touch with Y-Axis, a popular consultancy for immigration services, to apply for a visa.