Dubai has an excellent healthcare system, with a large number of public and private hospitals and clinics offering state-of-the-art medical technology and the highest standards of medical care. The Government has invested heavily in the health sector, and there is ready access to all forms of medical care for everyone, including visitors and expatriate workers. There is also a high ratio of medical personnel to population, comparable with most developed countries.

All types of advanced medical treatment are available in Dubai, including open heart surgery, organ transplants and laser treatment. The UAE has links with many outside medical organisations such as the UK's Royal College of Surgeons, and these links have facilitated the development of excellent local training facilities for UAE doctors and nursing staff.

The Dubai Government has implemented a major project to create Dubai Healthcare City, intended to become a regional centre of excellence for medical services, education and research. This will be the world's first healthcare free zone.

Free medical treatment is provided in state hospitals, GP clinics and surgeries. Government-run hospitals include Dubai Hospital, Rashid Hospital, Maktoum Hospital and Al Wasl Hospital. Dubai Hospital is a general hospitals and once of the leading medical centres in the region, while Al Wasl is an excellent Maternity, Gynaecology and Paediatrics hospital.

Private hospitals in Dubai include the American Hospital and the Welcare Hospital.

The American Hospital is the first hospital in the region to have received accreditation from the Joint Commission International Accreditation (JCIA) in the US, and all of its physicians have recognized qualifications from the US or other western countries. The hospital has centres of excellence in cardiac, joint replacement and diabetes care, and offers a full range of primary and secondary medical treatment facilities.

Similarly, the Welcare Hospital is staffed by internationally qualified and experienced healthcare specialists, and offers a high standard of care and treatment across a wide range of medical areas.

There are a large number of clinics in Dubai offering alternative and complementary forms of medicine.

Treatment and in-patient stays in Dubai's private hospitals and clinics can be very expensive, so it is advisable to take out health insurance Many expatriates have this provided by their employer as part of their employment contract.

It is possible to obtain most medicines from pharmacies in Dubai, some of which stay open for 24 hours.

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