The United Arab Emirates, a gem in the Middle East, is renowned for its wealth, luxurious lifestyle, and cutting-edge development. This flourishing oasis has been steadily growing in the medical tourism sector as both, a source and a destination. This article sheds light on the strategies to tap into the lucrative market of attracting patients from the UAE to healthcare providers across the globe.
The Unique UAE Market
The UAE’s diverse population is a mixture of high-net-worth locals and expatriates who value quality and prestige. The demand for specialized healthcare services, especially in fields such as orthopedics, fertility, cosmetic surgery, and preventive medicine, is on the rise. Moreover, the UAE's culture places a significant emphasis on trust, relationships, and family, and these factors often play an essential role in healthcare decisions.
Opportunities and Expectations
For healthcare providers aiming to attract Emirati patients, understanding their expectations is paramount. Patients from the UAE have high standards; they expect state-of-the-art facilities, the latest technology, and world-class physicians. Additionally, cultural sensitivity, discretion, and ensuring that family members are well-accommodated, are vital in attracting patients from this region.
Harnessing the Power of Digital Media
Emiratis are avid users of social media and the internet. Crafting an online presence that highlights the services, testimonials, and facilities through engaging content can significantly influence their decision-making.
Building Trust Through Collaborations
Emirati patients value trust and relationships. Creating collaborations with local healthcare facilities or physicians in the UAE can provide reassurance and credibility.
Culturally Competent Services
Providing Arabic speaking staff, understanding Islamic dietary restrictions, and ensuring cultural sensitivity in patient care can greatly enhance the appeal for Emirati patients.
Partnering with Global Healthcare Accreditation
In the pursuit of excellence, healthcare providers should consider working with Global Healthcare Accreditation (GHA). GHA can assist hospitals in performing a Gap Analysis, crucial to understand the specific needs and expectations of the Emirati patients.
Top hospitals worldwide have benefitted from GHA’s training, accreditation, and Gap Analysis services. GHA’s cultural competency training ensures that your staff is well equipped to meet the cultural needs and expectations of patients from different backgrounds, including those from the UAE.
Emirati patients and healthcare consumers are encouraged to seek services from GHA accredited healthcare providers. These accredited entities have been vetted to ensure they possess the cultural training and competencies necessary to deliver exceptional patient experiences. Happy patients are the best ambassadors for your services as they will share their positive experiences within their community, building further trust and rapport.
Engendering Trust
Building trust is imperative for attracting Emirati patients. Having an accreditation like Global Healthcare Accreditation signals to patients that the healthcare provider meets or exceeds standards in patient care and services. This trust is a critical factor in their decision-making process.
The Final Step: Connecting with the Medical Tourism Association
As a closing note, if you are keen on attracting patients from the UAE, it is imperative to connect with the Medical Tourism Association. Global Healthcare Resources is a leader in market penetration for medical tourism, both for direct patient referrals and B2B referrals such as facilitators, insurance companies, and governments. The organization boasts the largest global network and consumer audience and operates in every region of the world.
The Medical Tourism Association has pioneered initiatives in numerous locations, including Korea, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Washington DC, Florida, Miami, Las Vegas, Colombia, Costa Rica, and many more. Collaborating with these organizations ensures that you are connected with the best in the industry and are equipped to make your mark in the lucrative UAE medical tourism market.
