Celebrity plastic surgeon Dr Kasem Abu Bakr is relocating his practice to Dubai as the city launches itself as the Middle East’s top destination for wellness and plastic surgery.
In response to the Dubai Health Authority’s (DHA) initiative to boost the growing health industry, he said he is one of a number of international surgeons and medical practitioners who are flocking to the country to take advantage of the growing demand for specialist procedures in the UAE.
The DHA recently announced 22 new hospitals are to be built as part of its plans to attract 500,000 medical tourists a year and boost the local economy by up to AED2.6 billion ($707,907) by 2020.
The emirate has also created new three-month renewable visas for medical tourists, offered with a choice of travel and accommodation packages.
Dr Abu Bakr said: “The demand for cosmetic and plastic surgery in Dubai continues to grow as more and more people see the city as a viable destination for medical tourism.
“The DHA’s latest initiatives make Dubai one of the most attractive markets for new practices and surgeries, and that is projected to continue to grow at a rate far outstripping that of Beverly Hills and Brazil – the world’s leading markets for cosmetic surgery.”
He said he has been visiting Dubai to perform surgeries regularly for the last two years and has already built up a base of patients.
He added that the relocation of his practice to Dubai is the result of growing demand for his services from local Emiratis, as well as patients from other GCC countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. There has also been high demand from expats from Europe and Australia.
“As the reputation of Dubai as a destination grows, it will equal medical tourism destinations such as the US, Singapore, Thailand and India,” he said.
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