M42, Medical Tourism Association and Mastercard to expand international patient access

Healthcare in the UAE just got a global push. M42, the Abu Dhabi-based healthcare powerhouse, has teamed up with the Medical Tourism Association (MTA) and Mastercard to open the doors wider for international patients. With this alliance, the UAE is not just positioning itself as a regional hub but as a global magnet for world-class treatment. Leading facilities like Healthpoint and the Imperial College London Diabetes & Endocrine Centre will now be listed on MTA's flagship platform, Better by MTA, offering patients a smoother journey from diagnosis to payment.

As Dr. Ali Anees, Chief Operating Officer of M42's Global Patient Care Platform, put it: "This collaboration with MTA marks another major milestone in providing world-class healthcare and delivering a smooth patient experience. It means patients all over the world can avail high quality healthcare, manage payments securely, and access one of the UAE's top clinical teams, all through our facilities, in one place."

How will it work?

The partnership is built around the Better by MTA platform, which Mastercard helped develop. Think of it as a concierge for medical travel — removing the red tape, making payments safe, and ensuring patients don't get lost in the shuffle.

Here's what it offers:

• Simplified logistics: From booking treatment to travel arrangements, the process is streamlined.
• Secure payments: Mastercard integration guarantees transparent and safe transactions, a big concern for international patients.
• Trusted access: Patients can tap into M42's network of hospitals and specialty centers with confidence.

The platform is already connecting 1.3 million healthcare seekers each year and is on track to double that by 2025. As Gina Petersen-Skryme of Mastercard explains: "Simplifying how international patients pay for care can help make healthcare more accessible across borders."

Why does it matter?

For patients, the headaches of medical travel often start before they even land: opaque pricing, tricky payments, and unfamiliar systems. By ironing out those wrinkles, this collaboration promises less stress and more trust.

For the UAE, it's a bold play. Roughly one-third of the world's population can reach the Emirates in just four hours, and two-thirds within eight. With geography on its side and advanced medical facilities already in place, the UAE is leaning into a role as the world's healthcare crossroads.

For M42, this isn't just about filling hospital beds. With over 480 facilities across 26 countries serving 15 million patients each year, the organization is signaling its global ambitions. It's a message that world-class care shouldn't stop at borders.

The context

Medical tourism isn't new, but it's often fraught with obstacles. Patients worry about scams, payment failures, or simply not knowing where to go. The MTA has long tried to clear these hurdles by promoting affordable, high-quality care worldwide. With Better by MTA and Mastercard onboard, the missing piece — secure, transparent financial flows — is now front and center.

The UAE, with its reputation for rapid innovation and investment in cutting-edge health infrastructure, is a natural test bed. The partnership underscores the country's ambition: to be more than a travel and business hub, to also stand tall as a trusted destination for health.

In short, this collaboration isn't just about technology, hospitals, or airlines — it's about confidence. Patients want to know they'll be cared for, charged fairly, and guided every step of the way. With M42, MTA, and Mastercard working in tandem, the UAE is making its pitch: "Come here, and you'll be in good hands."