The Middle East Health

After a surge in uptake during the Covid-19 pandemic, the telehealth industry is courting new investment to further innovation and increase access to care in emerging markets.

Sustained investment and foresighted policy initiatives meant that the UAE and Abu Dhabi had developed a modern and effective public health system prior to the pandemic, supported by a growing number of private operators offering complementary services.

Prior to the outbreak of coronavirus, medical tourism was a significant growth industry in many emerging economies. While the pandemic represented a major setback for the segment, there are signs that it may be recovering in several markets.

A growing number of countries around the world are launching Covid-19 vaccine programmes, generating optimism that there is a light at the end of the pandemic tunnel. However, while some developing economies are successfully moving forwards with their own programmes, others have expressed concern about an emerging global imbalance in distribution.

The outbreak of Covid-19 all but halted global medical tourism, as institutions cut non-essential services and patients stayed at home due to travel restrictions and social-distancing guidelines. However, with flight bans being lifted and many countries tentatively re-opening, there are early examples of how the medical tourism segment might position itself for a rebound.

As various countries contend with a second wave of Covid-19 outbreaks, many emerging markets are pinning their hopes on a vaccine that will allow them to confidently reopen their economies without the fear of limited health services being overwhelmed.