09/19/2012 | By: Guest Contributor
While Dubai basks indulgently in the limelight, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah along the other seven emirates are left wallowing in its shadow.
Dubai is a destination on its own. The city attracts a variety of travelers for many purposes: beach pilgrimage, shopping and medical tourism.
Many medical tourists travel from Europe and the Middle East for plastic surgery Dubai to receive a first-class treatment and enjoy a luxury vacation. Visitors and medical tourists often forget the fact that Dubai is one of seven emirates-- and not a luxury island in the Arabian Gulf.
RAS Al Khimah and Abu Dhabi (UAE’s capital) are two key contenders in a cut-throat race to provide the most affordable and accessible healthy care service in the Middle East.
Ras Al Khiamah aims to raise its profile as a medical tourism emirate and to steal Dubai’s medical tourism thunder.
Rak Hospital, the largest privately owned medical facility, has struck a deal with RAK Airways to allow patients to fly in free of charge for treatment. Another deal with Etihad Airways is underway.
RAK Hospital is the first private sector hospital in Ras Al Khaimah, magnificently nestled in the backdrop of Jebel Jais Mountains. RAS Al Khaimah is famous for its natural hot springs and warm climate.
Affordable accommodation is also catered for when it comes to traveling to Ras Al Khaimah for medical tourism. RAK Hospital has signed an agreement with hotel Cove Rotana to provide patients discounted prices and inexpensive stay packages allowing them to recuperate in affordable luxury.
UAE hosts a diverse array of aesthetic surgery clinics offering extensive cosmetic and reconstructive treatments including breast implants Dubai, Liposuction, Dubai tummy tuck and nose surgery in Dubai.
Raza Seddiqi at ETA Star Healthcare says: "The intention is to provide American or international quality health care at Asian prices. Our main target clientele is visitors from the CIS and Africa, the latter group currently meeting their medical requirements by visiting Thailand or India.
“We could also tap into the demand for medical services from Pakistanis, who currently travel to India."
ETA Star Healthcare aims to target former Soviet and central Asian countries such as Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Georgia.
Medical Excellence from Ohio to Abu Dhabi:
The first Ohio-based hospital, the Cleveland Clinic is set to open its first flagship facility outside North America next year on Sowwah Island, in Abu Dhabi.
The USD 1.9 billion hospital offers medical specializations including heart surgery and neurological treatments. The island will be home to a lavish spa hotel attracting patients from within the UAE, the Middle East and beyond.
Abu Dhabi’s medical system is made up of an extensive network of hospitals, clinics and state-of-the-art health care facilities. Be it public or private health care service, Abu Dhabi strives to offer the highest quality of medical care at a low-cost.
The United Arab of Emirates will cash in on the healthy rivalry between its emirates in the coming years, inviting more visitors to its plastic surgery clinics, sizzling shores and luxury boutiques.
