The Gold Coast delegation attending the four-day Arab Health 2012 will be available for interviews prior to departure from Australia or on site in Dubai. They can be located at booth # SHEIK SAEED HALL (SAE 19)
A FIVE-MEMBER delegation will head to the Middle East on Saturday (21st January) to advance Gold Coast Australia's fast-growing medical tourism industry.
Representing all local medical sectors they’ll exhibit at the prestigious Arab Health 2012 conference in Dubai and attend a series of meetings with key UAE contacts organised by Queensland’s Trade Commissioner in Abu Dhabi, Susan Rae.
It’s the largest healthcare congress in the Middle East and the second largest in the world.
The visit is an initiative of the Gold Coast Medical Tourism Association (GCMTA) and follows successful participation at last October’s 4th World Medical Tourism Congress in Chicago.
That trip resulted in “highly encouraging” results with a number of enquiries from US-based insurance companies, health providers and corporate medical entities.
Board member, delegate and Weightloss Solutions Australia practice manager Felicity Layani said it’s estimated the Middle East provides around 20 per cent of the world’s medical tourism patients.
“The key message for UAE patients is that the Gold Coast a safe, clean, affordable and welcoming environment offering the very best medical care and attention,” Ms Layani said.
“Specialist Gold Coast medical procedures include everything from weight loss surgery to orthopaedic, ophthalmological, cardiac, and cosmetic procedures, along with comprehensive health checks for those wanting to get a quick and easy assessment of their health status.
“International clients regularly use private facilities such as the John Flynn Private Hospital at Tugun and the Pindara Private Hospital at Ashmore.
“John Flynn, located next to the Gold Coast Airport, was actually purpose-built as a medical tourism facility.
“Costs for procedures on the Gold Coast are seen as being extremely competitive compared to other first world international destinations and Australia is already widely considered a most wonderful place to visit.
“This combination is a recipe for an incredible medical travel experience that would appeal to anyone from any country.
“Australia, and particularly the Gold Coast, is already a popular destination for medical travellers from the Asia Pacific region; many of Australia’s top surgeons reside on the Gold Coast, where they too can enjoy the wonderful climate and wide range of tourist attractions available,” she said
Ms Layani will be attending her second Arab Health event.
GCMTA Chair and Coast in-bound veteran Peter Doggett said medical tourism is generally defined as travelling to an international destination to receive medical consultation or treatment.
“And of course to undertake convalescence and visit tourism destinations in the process,” Mr Doggett said.
“The quality of our medical services and the expertise of our world-leading practitioners sets us apart from most world destinations.
“It’s for that reason that the Gold Coast Medical Tourism Association is actively engaged in the strategic development of the Gold Coast region as a recognised leader in the international medical tourism industry,” he said.
Arab Health 2012 will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 23-26th January.
The Gold Coast Medical Tourism Association is supported by the Gold Coast City Council and Ramsay Health.