Source : WAM
The World Health Expo (WHX) 2026 commenced on Monday at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai, with the Ministry of Health and Prevention participating alongside national and emirate-level health authorities under the unified Emirates Health platform.
Through this national platform, UAE health authorities are demonstrating how policy, regulation, and innovation are being implemented at scale, reinforcing healthcare as a national priority and highlighting the government’s commitment to building the health of the nation.
The Emirates Health platform brings together federal and local health authorities to present a unified national vision focused on prevention, enhanced preparedness, and the large-scale application of innovation to enable longer, healthier lives and strengthen national resilience.
Throughout the exhibition, participating authorities are emphasising healthcare in the UAE as a shared national responsibility rather than a standalone sector. This unified presence illustrates how policy leadership, regulation, and service delivery work in tandem to safeguard population health, improve outcomes, and support long-term social and economic development in alignment with national priorities, including We the UAE 2031 and the UAE Centennial 2071.
Participating entities under the Emirates Health platform include 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. Collectively, these authorities represent a model of national leadership and coordinated delivery, with each organisation contributing within its mandate to shared health priorities.
The platform highlights how cross-authority coordination enhances planning, strengthens decision-making, and fosters partnerships at local, regional, and global levels. Innovation, digital transformation, and data-driven insights are showcased as tools that support public health objectives and improve quality of life.
As part of the Emirates Health showcase, a range of national initiatives is being presented to demonstrate how policy, regulation, and innovation support population health and future readiness. These include 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 health regulation; and the AI-powered Behavioural Insights Platform, which supports preventive health policies through data-driven behavioural analysis.
Within the broader national health framework, clinical innovation is also being highlighted, including advanced organ perfusion technologies that extend organ viability and expand opportunities for transplantation. These advancements 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 regional and 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. The UAE continues to advance its focus on prevention, early action, and protecting population health. Our priority is strengthening preparedness, applying innovation responsibly, and enabling longer, healthier lives. Through World Health Expo 2026, we are articulating how national vision is translated into real impact through policy, regulation, data, and partnerships that put people first.”
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 our rich Emirati heritage and traditional practices with modern medicine, grounded in an evidence-based health approach.
She added, “Through the participation of the UAE Integrative Medicine Council at World Health Expo (WHX) Dubai 2026, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to developing a balanced healthcare system—one that builds new capabilities and specialisations, strengthens research and collaboration with partners and stakeholders, and expands access to diverse treatment options. This approach reinforces the UAE’s position as a leading global destination for comprehensive, sustainable healthcare.”
Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, commented: “In Abu Dhabi, health is designed as a connected system, an integrated intelligent infrastructure that works quietly in the background of daily life, bringing intelligence, data, and care together to serve people first. At World Health Expo 2026, the UAE presents this approach as a unified national model, highlighting how prevention-led thinking delivers sustainable impact for communities. Through collective action and collaborative, technology-enabled efforts, this model continues to enhance efficiency and resilience, empowering communities to enjoy longer, healthier lives.”
Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director-General of the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), said that participation in WHX 2026 under the unified Emirates Health pavilion is a strategic step that underscores the Establishment’s commitment to supporting the UAE’s leadership in building an integrated healthcare and pharmaceutical ecosystem. She noted that the participation also reinforces the UAE’s vision of strengthening drug security as a core pillar of sustainable healthcare.
During the event, Dr. Al Kaabi said the Establishment will highlight its role in developing and regulating the pharmaceutical sector in line with the highest international standards through innovative initiatives and high-impact projects. She added that EDE will further strengthen integration with health and regulatory authorities locally and internationally, supporting prevention efforts, enhancing health readiness, and contributing to improved quality of life in line with We the UAE 2031 and the UAE Centennial 2071.
Dr. Al Kaabi further noted that the UAE has established an advanced and sustainable healthcare system built on qualified national talent, world-class infrastructure, and effective international partnerships. Within this framework, the Emirates Drug Establishment will continue to fulfil its regulatory mandate by developing policies, modernising legislative frameworks, and enabling strategic partnerships, contributing to improved customer experience, operational efficiency, and reinforcing the UAE’s standing as a global benchmark for effective health governance.
Dr. Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority, said that World Health Expo 2026 represents a key milestone in the development of the healthcare sector, bringing together global health leaders, experts, decision-makers, and innovators in Dubai to showcase cutting-edge technologies and smart solutions shaping the future of healthcare.
Dr. Abdulaziz Saeed Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Sharjah Health Authority, stated that the Authority’s participation marks its first involvement in such a forum and represents an important step in strengthening its institutional presence while highlighting its healthcare services and community initiatives.
World Health Expo 2026 also serves as a platform for engagement with international partners and experts. Throughout the exhibition, UAE health authorities are participating in policy dialogues, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions covering areas such as genomics, behavioural insights, medical liability, and health adaptation. Several agreements are also being signed with local and international entities to enhance collaboration and support the continued advancement of healthcare services.
The event brings together more than 4,300 exhibitors from over 180 countries, alongside hundreds of international experts and speakers, providing a global platform for dialogue on innovation in healthcare delivery, emerging technologies, and policy collaboration.
