Article:
ISSUE No.1 DECEMBER 2006

Medical tourism to Germany

The health care services in the United Arab Emirates have been public and were offered free of cost to each inhabitant until few years ago. But for the citizens of UAE treatment abroad was preferred because of better medical standards and on the other hand highly specialized physicians have been waiting for wealthy patients from the Arabic peninsula. Also Germany has been counted as the center of medicine technology or rather good health care and many clinics profited from the crowd of patients from the Middle East. DiscoverME talked to His Highness Sheikh Suhail Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum about his experiences with medical tourism.

Your highness Sheikh Suhail, you have been treated medically in Germany few years ago. What lead you there? Is it for medical technical reasons or do you have special relationships to Germany?

When I became sick I first flew to consult a specialist in London who has been recommended to me by my brother. This doctor said immediately that I have to be operated. But I wanted to consult another doctor and flew to India where I consulted a famous Professor. He came to the same result and I decided immediately to let the operation be conducted in Germany. My family knew Prof. Hepp of the hospital “Right of the Isar” in Munich and he examined me. Also Prof. Hepp advised me to do the operation so I informed my father that I will get operated in Germany.

You gathered three different opinions and then you decided on a surgery in Germany. What exactly motivated you?

The German doctor already operated on the knees of my cousin and enjoys an excellent reputation worldwide. Thus I simply felt to be in good hands.

Is medical treatment of UAE citizens abroad financially supported by the government?

Of course the treatment is financed fully by the government in case the patient can not pay for the costs by himself. You have to consider, that we travel together with the entire family to the place of treatment and usually we stay for many weeks. First a doctor is consulted here and if the treatment is not possible on the scene the patients will be sent to Germany, England or the USA.

How did you experience the treatment in Germany?

Traditionally we have very good relationships with Germany. I simply likethe country and the people are very polite and friendly. The hospitals aremodern and possess professional and very well-trained staff. I have seenmany beautiful hospitals in Munich myself.

How are the Germans seen in general from the point of view of a citizen of the UAE?

Many Arabs believe that Germany is the most secure country in Europe. The location is central and we can fly quickly to Paris or London for shopping. Our government works closely together with Germany and we have tight economic, political and cultural connections.

Does a personal connection to Germany exist on your side?

My entire family has close relations to Germany. My oldest brother, for example, since 14 years spends his summer holiday with the entire family in Germany. He even has a falcon farm there.

The German doctor has been recommended by your brother. Where else can you get information about possible treatments?

Of course we listen to the advice of family members or friends. Nowadays you can get lots of information through the internet. Because the family plays a very important role for us we usually follow the considerations of relatives.

Does the Dubai government support the construction of European clinic branches in order to do more treatments in this place in the future?

The problem is as follows: Our public hospitals are excellently equipped and possess most modern techniques but qualified physicians from Europe or overseas have been paid relatively bad till now. Therefore those doctors open their own clinic instead of accepting a badly paid job. Thus we had bad trained staff in public hospitals working for less money and unable to deal with modern technique. The government now decided to increase the salaries in order to recruit qualified doctors from other countries.

Would you choose to be treated again in Germany today or would you prefer a treatment in Dubai?

Of course I am hoping to stay healthy. In general I would decide again for Germany because I have collected very good experiences. But I like it most to fly to Germany as a tourist!

Thank you very much for that conversation and we wish you best health for all the time!

Thank you very much and best greetings to Germany.