UAE Telehealth Market Research Report: Forecast (2023-2028)

Market Definition

Telehealth refers to the use of communication technologies and digital information to distribute health-related services & information remotely. It offers health care services when the patient & medical professionals are not physically present with each other.

Market Insights

The UAE Telehealth Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 25% during the forecast period, i.e., 2023-28. Over the past few years, UAE has emerged as a significant healthcare hub and the most preferred destination for medical tourism. It all owes to the nation's unshakable vision and determination to build a world-class healthcare system, offering facilities that are quickly and economically accessible to citizens and residents. As such, the government keeps drafting robust regulatory frameworks to ensure patients' health by providing preventive care and improving patient care delivery.

Thus, areas like telemedicine, virtual care, and remote monitoring of patient's health under telehealth have attracted substantial investments by the organizations such as Abu Dhabi's Department of Health (DoH), MoHAP, ADQ, Mubadala, and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). These entities are bringing their focus on setting higher medical accreditation standards and innovating new medical techniques, including advanced diagnostics that detect and treat early chronic and lifestyle ailments.

Besides, expanding privatization and substantial digital transformation in the healthcare ecosystem have furthered healthcare expenditure with the ever-increased indulgence of tech leaders in the medical sector. With multiple mergers and acquisitions, companies like Doxy.me, Medcare, NextGen Healthcare, and OKADOC are constantly developing new technological solutions or mobile applications to ensure high-quality care for patients in UAE. However, citing the favorable regulations and lucrative prospects for telehealth services or technology providers in UAE, numerous entrepreneurs from across the world are likely to stiffen the competition in the forecast period.

Although telehealth has been in the nation for more than a decade, the sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic provided the necessary impetus to industry growth. As such, telehealth services such as remote patient monitoring (RPM), store-and-forward, real-time interaction, and others have witnessed a steep surge, as in-person visits to clinics & hospitals were strictly prohibited. Additionally, the pandemic has provided immense opportunities to the industry by offering an attractive, affordable, and effective solution alongside the technological advancements in existing software and devices.

Market Dynamics

Key Driver: Strengthening Tech-Enabled Healthcare Ecosystem in the UAE

The concept of telehealth has been steadfastly encouraged by the government over the past few years, predominantly after the pandemic. As a result, the need for technological advancements to improve telemedicine and patient monitoring in a bid to promote efficient and real-time health monitoring without requiring the physical presence of both parties has garnered considerable attention from the market players in the historical period. AI-powered analytics, Electronic Medical Records(EMR), healthcare robots, and chat bots have been a few outcomes. In addition, medical-grade wearable technologies allow patients to avail effective, seamless care even at home comfort.

Growth Opportunity: Dubai Emerges as an Opportunistic Area with Rapid Advancements in Telehealth

Dubai has shown a tremendous growth pattern in the past few years with the active participation of the government in promoting telehealth care apart from traditional medical facilities. In view of this, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) came up with a smart service called ‘Doctor for Every Citizen. As a result, similar developments in Dubai are likely to accelerate in the coming years, owing to the growing awareness among consumers regarding the availability of online platforms for consulting medical professionals.

In addition, the possible strategic partnership with an aim to extend remote monitoring programs across end-stage renal disease, post-hospital discharge, home healthcare, elderly primary care, orthopedics, and oncology is projected to present the market leaders lucrative prospects in the coming years.

Key Trend: UAE Evolving as One of the Prominent Medical Tourist Destinations

With cost-effective and quality care, patients worldwide demonstrate a higher inclination for the countries' world-class healthcare facilities. Quality care has been the nation's priority is quite evident with the result of the virtual audit by JAWDA that indicates Abu Dhabi Telemedicine Centre (ADTC) has successfully renewed its data certification for 2020 with the highest-ever score of 98.7%. In addition, Mubadala Health's continuous care model, paired with cutting-edge remote monitoring technologies, offers patients an unparalleled experience by streamlining workflow efficiencies and unfolding data-driven insights, thereby attracting medical tourists and subsequently shaping the telemedicine industry in UAE.

Market Segmentation

Based on Component, 

• Hardware

• Medical Peripheral Devices

• Blood Glucose Meter
• Pulse Oximeters
• Blood Pressure Monitors
• ECG Monitors
• Others (Weight Scale, Peak Flow Meters)

• Telemedicine Monitors

• Services

• Remote Patient monitoring (RPM)
• Store-and-Forward
• Real-time interaction

• Software

Of the above segments, Services captured a significant share of the UAE Telehealth Market in the historical years. The segment growth is attributable to the rising geriatric population augmenting the demand for home assistance. Further, extensive government initiatives to implement telehealth projects with video conferencing, mobile applications, and remote monitoring solutions have accelerated the adoption of teleconsultation and telemedicine in the historical period.

For instance, the DOH RemoteCare app has been launched by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. The app enables people to receive consultation and health care at home via numerous tools to examine symptoms, diagnose non-emergency cases, book appointments, and offer teleconsultations with doctors via voice or video calls or text messages. In addition, these avant-garde services allow health status monitoring throughout the recovery process of the patients at home comfort, even after getting discharged from the hospital.

Based on Application,

• Telemedicine
• Patient Monitoring
• Medical Education

Among others, Telemedicine acquired the largest share in the UAE Telehealth Market on account of the wide acknowledgment it has received over its advantages in remote healthcare delivery. With its remarkable potential to provide patient-centered care by reducing hospitalization rates and clinic visits, telemedicine has gained popularity in the past few years. In December 2019, Dubai Health Authority (DHA) began a service under the Doctor for Every Citizen.’ The facility comprises initial consultations and follow-ups with DHA-certified physicians. Additionally, the physician can request laboratory and radiology tests and issue electronic prescriptions. However, it reached its zenith during the Covid-19 times and extended to all residents of the emirate of Dubai as virtual consultation became a necessity due to social distancing regulations.

Recent Developments in the UAE Telehealth Market

• In March 2022, Mubadala Health collaborated with BioIntelliSensein to utilize the company’s remote monitoring solutions in the upgradation of the healthcare ecosystem in the UAE and further solidify its position in healthcare innovation.

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