Abu Dhabi is well on the way to becoming an important centre for medical tourism, thanks in part to the entrepreneurial spirit and forward-thinking environment of the UAE, one of the country’s top doctors said.
Dr Jorge Guzman, chief of staff at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said it would come as no surprise if the emirate “becomes the medical tourism hub, not only for this part of the world but one of the leaders in the world”.
Dr Guzman addressed an online seminar on Tuesday as part of the 2020 C3 healthcare summit, which runs alongside the UN General Assembly.
When asked what the next five years holds for health care in the UAE, he said that with the “fast pace of development that we have here in Abu Dhabi, then it’s not rocket science to predict that this will probably be the medical tourism hub of this half of the world”.
Working in the Middle East has forced Dr Guzman, and Cleveland Clinic, to become sharper, he said.
He praised the UAE’s entrepreneurial spirit, willingness to pursue new ideas and desire to find what works for creating ideal conditions in which healthcare businesses can thrive.
“We are looking at the way opportunities come here, the way we have started to partner with venture capital and early start-ups to apply technology, to apply new concepts into our day-to-day operations in health care, and you’re quickly starting to get the fruits of that,” Dr Guzman said.
He also praised the competitive environment for healthcare businesses, and said he welcomed competition from the Mayo Clinic, another world-renowned international medical care company that operates in the UAE.
“Coming here to Abu Dhabi has been a remarkable experience,” Dr Guzman said.
Before joining Abu Dhabi’s 450-bed Cleveland Clinic, he helped to pioneer telemedicine, or caring for patients remotely, which has taken on increased importance during the pandemic, in US intensive-care units.
In the UAE capital, he has sought to promote a patients-first philosophy, and said his involvement in the Abu Dhabi clinic’s work has been a career highlight.
“I couldn’t have been more blessed to have been involved in this," Dr Guzman said.
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UNGA day two, in pictures:
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Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, speaks in a pre-recorded message which was played during the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly. UNTV via AP -
Pope Francis speaks during the United Nations General Assembly seen on a laptop computer in Hastings on the Hudson, New York, US. Bloomberg -
A man watches the televised speech of Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan. EPA -
Scott Morrison, Australia's prime minister, speaks during the United Nations General Assembly. Bloomberg -
US President Donald Trump (on screen), as he addresses the general debate of the seventy-fifth session of the United Nations General Assembly. AFP -
Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaks in a pre-recorded message which was played during the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly. UNTV via AP -
Xi Jinping, China's president, speaks during the United Nations General Assembly seen on a laptop computer. Bloomberg -
United States President Donald Trump speaks in a pre-recorded message which was played during the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly. UNTV via AP -
A statue of former South African President Nelson Mandela is seen in the empty arrivals hall at United Nations headquarters during the 75th annual UN General Assembly high level debate. Reuters -
A UN police officer stands at an empty entrance at the United Nations. AFP -
Dian Triansyah Djani, left, permanent representative of Indonesia to the UN, takes a photo with Kairat Umarov, centre, permanent representative of Kazakhstan and Tijjani Muhammad-Bande former president of the General Assembly. UN via AP -
US President Donald Trump (on screen), as he addresses the general debate. AFP -
President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping (on screen), as he addresses the general debate. AFP -
President of of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan (on screen), as he addresses the general debate. AFP -
Donald Trump, president of the United States, speaks in a pre-recorded message. UN via AP -
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, president of Turkey, speaks in a pre-recorded message which was played during the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly. UNTV via AP -
Chinese President Xi Jinping appearing by video link at the United Nations 75th anniversary is seen on an outdoor screen as pedestrians walk past below in Beijing on September 22, 2020. AFP -
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly. UNTV Via AP -
Representatives of different countries listen to speakers during the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly. UNTV via AP -
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro speaks in a pre-recorded message. UNTV via AP -
United Nations General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir, of Turkey, speaks during the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly. UNTV via AP -
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, top, speaks in a pre-recorded message being played during the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly. UNTV via AP
