In an era where medical tourism is rapidly evolving, Clinics On Call has emerged as a pioneering platform dedicated to making healthcare abroad transparent, accessible, and seamless. Founded by Dr. Zeeshan Zaman, Clinics On Call addresses a crucial gap in the industry: helping patients navigate the complexities of international treatment with clarity and confidence. “Patients traveling abroad often face confusion around costs, specialist selection, and reliable guidance. We created Clinics On Call to bridge this gap and provide a structured, trustworthy pathway to treatment,” Dr. Zeeshan shared in an interview with Mediworld Middle East.
The platform differentiates itself by combining digital innovation with human expertise. Patients benefit from teleconsultations, secure medical file management, and AI-driven doctor-patient matching, all while being guided by medically trained coordinators.
Patient safety remains a cornerstone of Clinics On Call’s operations. The company partners exclusively with accredited hospitals and conducts on-site evaluations of facilities and international patient departments to ensure compliance with global standards.
Leveraging digital health technologies such as AI, teleconsultations, and analytics, Clinics On Call optimizes patient-doctor matching, monitors outcomes, and ensures personalized care.
Looking ahead, Clinics On Call is positioning itself to capitalize on post-COVID trends, including digital-first healthcare, rising regional hubs, and the growing demand for transparency.
Can you tell us about yourself and what inspired you to start Clinics On Call, and what gap in the medical tourism industry you set out to fill with your platform?
I have always been passionate about making healthcare more transparent and accessible. When patients travel abroad for treatment, they often face confusion—unclear costs, difficulty finding the right specialists, and a lack of reliable guidance. Clinics On Call was created to bridge this gap by providing patients with a clear, structured, and trustworthy pathway to treatment. What sets us apart is that our team includes doctors trained as coordinators who can explain medical details and ensure patients feel supported at every step.
What are the core services and technologies that Clinics On Call offers to differentiate itself from other medical tourism facilitators or marketplaces?
Our platform combines advanced digital tools with human expertise. Patients can access teleconsultations, patients-doctor matching, and secure handling of medical files, while also being supported by our team of medical coordinators. Unlike traditional facilitators, we don’t just organize logistics—we help patients understand their medical options and connect them directly with trusted hospitals. This mix of technology and professional guidance makes the entire journey smoother and more reliable.
How do you ensure that the patient’s journey—from inquiry through treatment and follow-up—is seamless and of high quality, especially when coordinating across borders?
We provide each patient with a dedicated case manager who oversees their journey from start to finish. Our coordinators review medical files, arrange consultations, and stay in touch during treatment and recovery. We also maintain close communication with clinics to avoid delays or misunderstandings. This hands-on approach ensures patients not only get timely care but also continuous support even after they return home.
Given the critical importance of medical safety, what processes or partnerships does Clinics On Call have to ensure the clinics and doctors you work with meet international standards and maintain patient safety?
Patient safety is at the heart of what we do. We partner exclusively with accredited hospitals and carefully verify their certifications. Our partner hospitals regularly invite us to visit their facilities, meet their doctors, and assess their international patient’s departments. These on-the-ground reviews help us ensure that our partners not only meet international standards on paper but also uphold them in practice. This safeguard gives our patients confidence in the care they receive.
Medical tourism often hinges on cost savings. How do you maintain cost transparency, manage expectations around expenses, and ensure affordability without compromising quality?
We believe in complete transparency. Patients pay hospitals directly, and the costs they see through us are the same as if they went to the clinic themselves. The difference is that with Clinics On Call, they also receive guidance, support, and medical coordination at no additional charge—we are compensated by our partner hospitals, not by patients. All cost estimates come directly from the clinics, and payment is made upon arrival, which removes any hidden fees or surprises.
The Middle East, particularly the UAE, is emerging as a hub for medical tourism. How important is this region for your expansion strategy?
The Middle East is one of the most exciting emerging markets in medical tourism. The UAE, in particular, is building strong healthcare infrastructure and attracting patients from across the globe. Just as we have established ourselves as key players in Turkey, South Korea, and Spain, we aim to play a leading role in the Middle East as well. Our focus is to bring international patients closer to this region’s growing medical expertise while ensuring a smooth, guided experience.
Can you share details of any key partnerships or collaborations you have formed in the UAE—such as with hospitals, health authorities, insurers or governmental entities—and how these have helped you serve patients better or scale operations?
We have formed collaborations with several leading hospitals in the UAE such as Burjeel Medical City, Saudi German Hospital, Liv Hospital City Walk, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and are in ongoing discussions with health authorities to simplify patient access. These partnerships allow us to integrate more closely with the healthcare system, making treatment abroad less daunting for patients. By working hand-in-hand with hospitals, our coordinators can communicate effectively with their doctors and ensure patients receive clear and accurate medical guidance before they even travel.
How is Clinics On Call leveraging digital health technologies (tele-consultations, AI, data analytics, etc.) to enhance the medical tourism experience and outcomes?
Digital innovation is at the core of our platform. We use artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline processes like matching patients with the suitable doctors, teleconsultations to enable pre- and post-treatment care, and analytics to monitor patient outcomes and satisfaction. But what makes this powerful is that it’s combined with human oversight—our medical team ensures technology is applied with accuracy and empathy. This blend allows us to provide patients with both efficiency and personalized care.
Could you share a memorable case or success story where Clinics On Call made a significant difference in a patient’s treatment journey?
One story that has stayed with us is that of a 10-year-old boy from Kazakhstan who was suffering from Tetralogy of Fallot, a serious heart condition. He had already gone through a difficult surgery experience locally and they had lost trust in their doctors. As his health declined, he could no longer attend school or enjoy a normal social life.
Through Clinics On Call, we connected them with a leading pediatric cardiovascular surgeon in Turkey, who first reviewed his case and spoke with the family through a video consultation. From there, we helped arrange the treatment and supported them throughout the entire journey. The surgery was a success, and now, five years later, the boy is healthy, back in school, and living a full life again. His family still keeps in touch with us and often recommends our services to others. For us, it was a powerful reminder that the right guidance can truly change a life.
What key trends do you see shaping medical tourism over the next 5-7 years (especially post-COVID), and how is Clinics On Call positioning itself to capitalize on those trends?
We see three major trends shaping the industry: the growth of digital-first healthcare, the rise of regional hubs like the UAE and Gulf, and an increasing demand for transparency and trust. Clinics On Call is already aligned with these shifts. By investing in technology, expanding into emerging markets, and maintaining strict quality checks, we are positioning ourselves as a trusted global platform where patients feel safe and supported throughout their medical journey.
Suggested Reading: Düsseldorf: Redefining Medical Tourism in the Heart of Europe
