M42 is collaborating with the Medical Tourism Association and Mastercard to make it easier for international patients to access healthcare facilities across the UAE
Healthcare provider M42 has entered into a collaboration with the Medical Tourism Association (MTA) and Mastercard aimed at simplifying access to medical treatment in the United Arab Emirates for international patients.
Under the collaboration, selected M42 healthcare facilities will be featured on Better by MTA, the Medical Tourism Association's platform developed in collaboration with Mastercard. The service combines healthcare planning with support for travel, logistics and payments.
The initiative is intended to reduce some of the practical and financial barriers associated with seeking medical treatment abroad while extending M42's reach among international patients.
Healthpoint and diabetes centre among participating facilities
Among the M42 facilities being made available through the platform are Healthpoint and the Imperial College London Diabetes & Endocrine Centre in the UAE.
International patients using the service will be able to identify participating healthcare providers, organise aspects of their treatment journey and use payment services available to Mastercard users worldwide.
According to M42, the cooperation is designed to create a more integrated patient experience by bringing together access to clinical services, payments and other elements of international healthcare planning.
Focus on secure payments and easier travel planning
Better by MTA has been developed to address challenges commonly encountered by people seeking medical treatment in another country, including payment security, financing, logistical arrangements and navigating an unfamiliar healthcare system.
The platform provides support throughout the international patient journey and is intended to make transactions and treatment arrangements more transparent.
According to information provided by the partners, Better by MTA currently connects around 1.3 million people seeking healthcare internationally each year.
Mastercard sees simpler and more secure payment processes as an important component of improving access to cross-border healthcare. The cooperation with M42 and MTA is intended to increase confidence among international patients considering treatment in the UAE.
UAE strengthens position in medical tourism
The collaboration also supports the UAE's ambitions to further develop its position as an international healthcare and medical tourism destination.
Its geographical location provides relatively short travel times from major source markets. According to the announcement, around one-third of the world's population can reach the UAE within four hours and approximately two-thirds within eight hours.
Combined with the country's healthcare infrastructure and international air connectivity, this accessibility is an important factor in attracting patients from abroad.
M42 operates more than 480 healthcare facilities
M42's international network comprises more than 480 healthcare facilities across 26 countries and serves over 15 million patients annually, according to the company.
Its services include renal care, outpatient treatment, chronic disease management, diagnostics, women's and children's healthcare, specialist surgery and long-term care.
By integrating selected UAE facilities into Better by MTA, the partners aim to make this healthcare network more accessible to patients planning treatment across international borders.
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