Diagnostic Imaging in Dubai

Diagnostic imaging, also known as medical imaging, describes a variety of techniques to look inside the body to diagnose the cause of an injury or illness, as well as to find any signs of a health condition. It is also used to see how well your body responds to treatment for an illness or fracture. 

Many diagnostic imaging tests are noninvasive and painless. Some tests use a small amount of radiation exposure. Some require you to remain still inside a machine for a long time, which may cause little discomfort. 

Other diagnostic tests involve the insertion of a small camera attached to a thin, long tube (often referred to as a “scope”) into your body. These types of diagnostic tests are invasive and require anesthesia.

Some of the most common types of diagnostic imaging tests are as follows:

• X-ray is among the most well-known diagnostic imaging tests. It generates images that allow your doctor to see if there is any damage or injury to the bones.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan, also known as “cat scan,” is a test that combines a series of X-ray images taken from different angles. It is often used to quickly examine people who could have internal injuries. It can help doctors evaluate the brain, spine, abdomen, chest, and neck.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses a powerful magnet to obtain an image of the body instead of radiation. It is most commonly used to examine spinal cord and brain anomalies, joint abnormalities, and tumors.
• Ultrasound, also known as sonography, uses high-frequency waves to create images of the inside of the body. It is most commonly used to examine a fetus during pregnancy. However, it can also be used to examine a wide range of body parts, including the heart, joints, and bladder.
• Mammography is a type of x-ray image of the breast. It can be used to check for early breast cancer signs that cannot be felt through the use of a low-dose x-ray.
• A diagnostic biopsy is the main method doctors use to diagnose most types of cancer. It involves the removal of a piece of tissue or cell sample to be analyzed in a laboratory.

• Endoscopy, laparoscopy, and colposcopy involve the insertion of a thin, flexible scope with a video camera attached to its end through a passageway or bodily opening to look at the inside of a particular organ, such as the colon or the lungs.

How Long Should I Stay in Dubai?

You can usually leave the hospital straight away after diagnostic imaging tests. However, it is advisable that you stay in Dubai for 5 to 7 days to wait for the results. Once the results are ready, you will have to attend a follow-up appointment where your doctor explains the results and discuss the treatment plan, if needed.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Most diagnostic tests, such as ultrasound and CT scan, do not require any recovery time. However, you may need to take one or two days off work and avoid strenuous activities for several days after some types of diagnostic biopsy, endoscopy, laparoscopy, and colposcopy.

What Aftercare is Required?

There is usually no special aftercare or restrictions after diagnostic imaging tests. You may be advised to drink plenty of water immediately after, especially if contrast was used. If the procedure is invasive, your doctor will give you detailed instructions on how to care for the wounds. 

What's the Success Rate?

Diagnostic imaging tests have high success and accuracy rates. The continuous improvement and advancement of diagnostic imaging technology have transformed healthcare, allowing for earlier diagnosis of many medical conditions, reduces the need for invasive processes. The side effects of diagnostic imaging tests are very minimal, such as slight discomfort, pain, swelling, and bruising.

Are there Alternatives?

There are no alternatives to diagnostic imaging. It is vital for the diagnosis of medical conditions, allowing your doctor to decide the best treatment or management plan.

Diagnostic Imaging in and around Dubai

About Dubai

Dubai is one of the seven emirates of the UAE and it is the second largest in size and has the biggest population of over 3 million people. The population of the UAE lives there tax-free as there is no VAT on food or consumer goods, and it is certainly one of the reasons why a large number of expats are attracted to this country and 84% of the population are non-nationals. Dubai prides itself upon the fact that it is one of the swiftest growing economies in the world. The tourism industry is one of the principal strategies of the Dubai government to keep foreign cash flowing into Dubai.

The private sector has been building state of the art facilities and also caters to medical tourism. Dubai has two healthcare free economic zone for hospitals and medical facilities. The industry consists of 35,000 medical professionals from 110 nationalities. There is a 12-year master plan, which includes adding 40 healthcare and three new hospitals.

The country aims to provide a 1000-bed medical care unit catering to inpatients and outpatients, with five-star hotel facilities and varied mélange of services. By the year 2020 Dubai Health Authority (DHA) plans to attract 500,000 annual international medical tourists to the city, 

Hospitals such as the NMC Specialty Hospital, Medeor 24x7 Hospital, Medicare Hospital, Aster Hospital are some of the more popular ones in the City. Expats from all over the world turn to Dubai for solutions to address ailments from non-invasive beauty treatments to surgeries, depression, and mood disorder treatments. The most popular treatments are Orthopaedics, Dermatology and Ophthalmology, Plastic surgery, and Aesthetic Practices and surgeries. It is also attracting Medical tourism from around the world due to:

• Dubai follows strict quality protocols and has specialists from all over the world working in its hospitals.
• The best medical technology is available and is on par with any world-class facility.
• The government and other stakeholders are working continuously to establish a world-class healthcare system in Dubai.
• Large investments from the government and private sector in the medical tourism industry.

Popular Areas in Dubai

Dubai is a paradise for shoppers. You can shop in the souks that are dotted around the city or visit the stylish shopping malls. From spices to the latest high street fashion and gold jewelry, you can buy everything at reasonable prices including electronic gadgets as the Vat rate is only 5%.

Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world and Burj Al Arab in Dubai which is the most luxurious hotel in the world is located in this building. You can buy a ticket to its observation deck located on the 124th floor from where you can see the panoramic view of the city. If you want to experience the tradition and history of the city, there are numerous museums to visit. If you love adventure, desert safaris will take you on some amazing activities that include dune bashing, camel rides, sand boarding and you will get to taste the local cuisine in the middle of the desert.

IMG Worlds of Adventure is the largest indoor theme park in the world. The IMG Worlds of Adventure is very big and is the size of 28 football fields. High and fast roller coasters, fine dining, and retail outlets are all in abundance within this theme park.

Weather and Climate in Dubai

Dubai, being a desert city, is hot for most of the year. August is the hottest month and January is the coldest one. The temperatures can range between 24 °C in winter to 45 °C in summer and humidity is very high in Summer. Dubai winters are from November to April and this is the best time to visit Dubai. 

Getting around in Dubai

Dubai has one of the busiest airports in the word and the airport is an important transit hub between Asia and Europe. Most of the airlines that fly to Asia, connect through Dubai airport that is known for its luxury and has many concourses and terminals and there are interconnecting metro trains between the terminals.

Dubai is famous for establishing the first metro service in the entire Arabian region and it has been investing and expanding the train network over the past few decades.

Port Jebel Ali is the biggest man-made harbor in the world and is a major point of entry to the country. Port Rashid is Dubai’s second major port. Apart from the major ports, it also has local boats and ferries that help people travel between different parts of the city. It has an excellent road network that connects to all the other Emirati cities. As Sharjah is the nearest Emirati city to Dubai, it has good public bus service connections to Sharjah. There are numerous taxi services and buses with reasonable fares, available for tourists to commute around the city.

Tourist Visas in Dubai

You can get a non-extendable visit visa or a tourist visa for 30 days or 90 days. Many job seekers use visitor visas to find work and convert their visitor visa to a work visa during their stay. Citizens of GCC countries and the European Union, USA, and the UK, Canada, Russia, China, Australia, and many other countries can get a visa on arrival. However, all passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency- AED or Arab Emirate Dirham (Dhs) is the local currency.
2. Money & Payments -You can exchange money in numerous money exchangers. Major currencies that are traded in Dubai are Pounds, Euros, Australian and American Dollars. Most places accept credit cards and international debit cards for payments, Yet, it is better you carry some local currency with you while visiting small shops or traveling in taxis. ATMs are also available from where you can withdraw the local currency. In fact, many ATMs are free in Dubai and do not incur any banking charges.
3. Tipping is not compulsory, but it is customary to tip in restaurants and hotels. Tipping anywhere between 10 and 15% of your bill is about right. As taxis are cheap, people even tip the drivers for good service.
4. Arabic is the official language and English is the most spoken language here. People from Asian countries living in Dubai speak Hindi, Urdu, Persian.
5. The official religion of the country is Islam. It is, however, the most liberal city in the Gulf region. You must be careful to respect the local traditions and wear simple conservative clothes.
6. Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha are two major religious holidays. Islamic New Year, Prophet’s birthday, UAE’s national day, and Commemoration Day are the other significant holidays. The religious festivals are dependent on the sightings of the moon and may occur on different days every year.