Unified standards for hospitals, rehabilitation centers and health resorts aim to strengthen quality and patient protection across the Arab health tourism sector
The League of Arab States has begun work on a common legislative and regulatory framework for health tourism, with a working group now drafting guidelines for facilities serving international patients and health travelers. The initiative is intended to harmonize quality standards, strengthen patient rights and improve the competitiveness of Arab destinations in the international health tourism market.
Health and tourism sectors to work more closely
Bahgat Abu Al-Nasr, Director of the Transport and Tourism Department at the League of Arab States, said at the opening of the meeting that the proposed framework was intended to establish common Arab guidelines and standards. Its objectives include ensuring the quality of health services, safeguarding patients’ rights and strengthening confidence among those using such services.
Implementation would primarily involve ministries of health, tourism authorities and health accreditation bodies, with each institution acting within its respective jurisdiction. The approach is designed to foster closer coordination between the health and tourism sectors.
The private sector is also expected to play an important role in developing and operating facilities dedicated to health tourism. Such involvement would remain subject to national legislation and regulations as well as the responsibilities of tourism authorities and other relevant bodies.
Hospitals, rehabilitation centers and health resorts covered
The proposed framework would apply to both public and private facilities providing services to visitors traveling from abroad for health-related purposes. These include hospitals, specialized medical centers, rehabilitation and physiotherapy centers, and health resorts.
Institutional coordination is a central element of the initiative. Linking implementation to the responsibilities of tourism authorities and other relevant institutions is intended to bring health and tourism bodies closer together, coordinate regulatory and supervisory activities, and improve the quality and competitiveness of health tourism services across the Arab world.
Common criteria for accreditation and licensing
During the two-day meeting, the working group is reviewing the experience of individual Arab countries in health tourism, including Algeria’s experience in medical tourism. These discussions will contribute to the development of a common guiding legislative framework for accrediting and licensing facilities specializing in health tourism.
Proposed requirements include compliance with national health legislation, adherence to quality and patient safety standards, and the employment of qualified and licensed healthcare professionals. Facilities would also be required to provide suitable infrastructure and medical equipment.
Arab League and Bahrain lead regulatory initiative
The work follows Resolution No. 362 of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism, adopted during its 28th regular session. Under the resolution, the Arab League was tasked with working alongside Bahrain to develop a guiding Arab legislative framework for the accreditation and licensing of health tourism facilities.
The initiative could provide Arab countries with a common regulatory foundation for the sector while retaining their respective national legislation, creating more comparable standards for health tourism services across the region.
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