Image Credit: worldhealthexpo
World Health Expo (WHX) 2026 opened on Monday at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai, bringing together global health leaders, policymakers and innovators under one roof.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention, alongside federal and emirate-level health authorities, is participating through the national Emirates Health platform. The unified presence highlights how policy, regulation and innovation are being applied at a national scale, reinforcing healthcare as a core government priority and underscoring the UAE’s commitment to building the health of a nation.
The Emirates Health platform brings together federal and local health bodies around a shared vision focused on prevention, preparedness and innovation at scale. Throughout the exhibition, participating authorities are presenting healthcare as a national responsibility rather than a standalone sector, showing how leadership, regulation and service delivery work together to protect population health and support long-term social and economic development.
This coordinated national approach aligns with the UAE’s long-term strategies, including We the UAE 2031 and the UAE Centennial 2071, positioning health as a foundation for national resilience and future readiness.
Participating under the Emirates Health platform are the Ministry of Health and Prevention, the Emirates Drug Establishment, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, the Dubai Health Authority, the Sharjah Health Authority, and the Emirates Council for Integrative Medicine. Together, they present a model of collective leadership, with each authority contributing within its mandate to shared national health priorities.
The platform also showcases how cross-authority coordination strengthens planning, decision-making and partnerships at local, regional and global levels. Innovation, digital transformation and data-driven insights are presented as practical tools that serve public health goals and improve quality of life.
Among the national initiatives on display are the Enterprise Data Warehouse and Disease Registry (Bayan), which integrates health data across public and private sectors to support evidence-based planning and predictive analytics; the Health Policy and Legislation Smart Platform, designed to enable agile and forward-looking regulation; and an AI-powered Behavioural Insights Platform supporting preventive health policies through data-driven analysis.
Clinical innovation is also in focus, including advanced organ perfusion technologies that extend organ viability and expand transplantation opportunities. These developments reflect the work of the National Programme for Donation and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissue (Hayat), reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to saving lives and strengthening international cooperation in organ donation and transplantation.
Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention, said building the health of nations is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of government. He noted that the UAE continues to prioritise prevention, early action and population health, with a focus on preparedness and responsible innovation to enable longer, healthier lives.
Sheikha Salama bint Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the UAE Integrative Medicine Council, said the UAE is pioneering a new era of global healthcare by bridging Emirati heritage and traditional practices with modern, evidence-based medicine. She added that participation in WHX 2026 reaffirms the country’s commitment to a balanced healthcare system that expands treatment options, strengthens research and collaboration, and positions the UAE as a leading global destination for comprehensive and sustainable healthcare.
Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said health in the emirate is designed as a connected system that integrates data, intelligence and care. He added that the UAE’s unified presentation at WHX 2026 highlights how prevention-led thinking delivers sustainable impact and enhances efficiency and resilience across communities.
Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director-General of the Emirates Drug Establishment, said participation under the Emirates Health pavilion demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to building an integrated healthcare and pharmaceutical ecosystem and strengthening drug security as a pillar of sustainable healthcare. She noted that the Establishment will highlight its role in regulating the pharmaceutical sector to the highest international standards while deepening cooperation with local and global partners.
Dr. Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority, described WHX 2026 as a key milestone for the healthcare sector, bringing together leaders, experts and innovators in Dubai to shape the future of healthcare through smart technologies and solutions.
Dr. Abdulaziz Saeed Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Sharjah Health Authority, said the Authority’s participation marks its first involvement in the event and reflects efforts to strengthen institutional presence and showcase healthcare services and community initiatives.
Beyond exhibitions, WHX 2026 serves as a platform for global engagement. UAE health authorities are taking part in policy dialogues, workshops and knowledge-exchange sessions covering topics such as genomics, behavioural insights, medical liability and health adaptation. Several agreements with local and international partners are also being signed to advance collaboration and support the continued development of healthcare services.
World Health Expo 2026 brings together more than 4,300 exhibitors from over 180 countries, along with hundreds of international experts and speakers, offering a global forum for dialogue on healthcare innovation, emerging technologies and policy collaboration.
