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Why the UAE Is Becoming A Premier Destination For Medical Tourism

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 11, 2025

With a commitment to enhancing its healthcare offerings, the UAE has positioned itself as a leader in medical tourism, catering to a growing global demand. As countries focus on improving the health of their populations, the UAE stands out for its strategic investments in both healthcare infrastructure and its appeal to medical tourists.

According to Statista, the global medical tourism market was valued at $47 billion in 2024, with projections indicating it could exceed $111 billion by 2029. The UAE is setting the bar high, with innovative initiatives such as specialized portals for health tourists and streamlined entry processes for medical visitors.

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Tailored Portals And Seamless Experiences

Abu Dhabi and Dubai have launched dedicated online platforms that streamline the process for medical tourists. These portals offer a range of services, including healthcare provider contact information, appointment bookings, hotel reservations, and local transportation. Dubai Health Authority (DHA) introduced the Dubai Health Experience (DXH) brand in 2016, aimed at making the city a global leader in health tourism. The platform offers a curated selection of top-tier treatments in fields such as dentistry, fertility, ophthalmology, and cosmetic surgery.

Meanwhile, in 2018, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health (DoH) rolled out its own e-portal, showcasing a network of over 40 healthcare facilities that meet the stringent quality standards of the DoH’s JAWDA program. Visitors can explore nearly 300 treatment packages across specialties ranging from routine check-ups to complex surgeries.

Simplified Access With Specialized Permits

To further attract international patients, the UAE offers specialized entry permits for medical tourists and their companions. These permits, which can be single or multiple entries, are sponsored by medical institutions and processed by relevant authorities in the country. Dubai Healthcare City also introduced a new medical visa in January 2024, allowing treatment centers to apply for permits on behalf of patients for stays of up to six months. This move bolsters Dubai’s reputation as a medical tourism hotspot.

The city welcomed 674,000 medical tourists in 2022, generating $270 million in revenue. Wellness tourism is also booming in the UAE, with visitors spending $5.4 billion in 2022—almost double the amount spent in 2020.

Innovation At The Forefront

The UAE’s innovative spirit continues to propel its rise as a medical tourism hub. In 2024, HealthStay.io, the world’s first AI-powered medical tourism solution, launched in partnership with Dubai Health Experience. This startup, part of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund’s Accelerator Program, uses artificial intelligence to automate the medical tourism journey, including selecting treatments and booking appointments.

“The launch of HealthStay.io is a direct result of the support from DXH and DHA, helping us transform Dubai into a global healthcare tourism leader,” said Ruairi Tubrid, co-founder of HealthStay.io. Fatima Yousif Alnaqbi, MBRIF representative, emphasized the importance of accelerator programs in supporting innovative solutions that elevate the UAE’s standing as a center of excellence in healthcare.

Government Commitment To Healthcare Excellence

The UAE’s rapid growth in medical tourism is rooted in its consistent focus on healthcare improvement. Key strategies such as the Emirates Health Services Innovation Strategy 2023-2026 and the National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031 aim to enhance residents’ quality of life and elevate the nation’s healthcare offerings.

Compared to its Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) counterparts, the UAE leads in healthcare expenditure growth. Projections from Alpen Capital estimate that healthcare spending will reach $30.7 billion by 2027, reflecting the nation’s ongoing dedication to strengthening its healthcare infrastructure. As a result, the UAE continues to attract international patients seeking top-tier medical services.

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Meta Unveils Muse Wonder Models In A Bid For Frontier AI Leadership

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 13, 2026

Meta has introduced two new AI models, Muse Wonder and Muse Wonder Full, signalling a more ambitious move into frontier AI. The releases build on Muse Spark but target more demanding tasks, including coding, while placing greater emphasis on long-term memory and personalised assistance.

Larger Models Target More Demanding Tasks

Unlike Muse Spark, which was designed for low latency and lightweight use, Muse Wonder and Wonder Full are significantly larger and, according to Meta, more capable. The company reports stronger benchmark performance and improvements on demanding workloads, including coding.

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According to Meta’s model card, both models achieved benchmark results comparable to Fable 5.1 and GPT-6 Astra in the company’s internal testing. Meta described the release as “the next step on our scaling ladder and a major leap toward personal superintelligence” in its announcement.

Pricing Reflects Meta’s Frontier Ambitions

The models’ pricing places them in the premium AI segment. Through the Meta Model API, Muse Wonder will cost $4 per million input tokens and $20 per million output tokens, putting it in a similar pricing tier to GPT-6 Sol and Opus 5.5.

Muse Wonder Full, by contrast, will not be offered through the API. Meta says it will be exclusive to Muse Code subscribers, tying access to its most advanced model to a premium product. Both models will also power the Muse agent.

Long-Term Memory Takes Centre Stage

Meta is increasingly positioning its AI strategy around assistants that can support users over time rather than respond only to individual prompts. A central part of that approach is what the company calls “active memory”: the ability to retain, organise and synthesise information provided by users across extended periods.

Meta points to the MemoryBench benchmark, which evaluates systems designed for continual learning and memory construction. The company says Muse Wonder now outperforms Fable, Opus and Astra on this measure.

“We put a tremendous amount of effort into making sure your model can remember what’s important to you over days, weeks, months, and beyond,” research scientist Kavya Kopparapu said in a launch video.

New Models Follow Meta’s AI Reorganisation

The launch is also significant within Meta’s broader AI strategy. It is the company’s first frontier-model release since Scale AI founder Alexandr Wang reorganised its AI operations in August 2025. Meta has since introduced Muse Spark and the Muse agent, while making fewer high-profile model announcements than competitors such as OpenAI and Anthropic.

The new models were trained at Meta’s Prometheus data centre in central Ohio, which came online earlier in 2026, according to the company. The facility highlights the growing importance of infrastructure in the race to develop advanced AI systems, where performance depends not only on algorithms and data but also on computing capacity, data-centre investment and access to capital.

As competition intensifies, Muse Wonder and Wonder Full represent a broader bet on larger models, persistent memory and premium AI products. Their longer-term significance will depend on how their reported capabilities translate into real-world performance and whether users find enough value to pay for access.