WHX (formerly Arab Health) to open Monday, transforming the emirate into a global healthcare hub
 

(DUBAI) - World Health Expo (WHX),  World Health Expo (WHX) will officially open on Monday, 9 February, marking the start of a landmark edition that underscores Dubai’s role at the center of global healthcare collaboration and innovation. Formerly known as Arab Health, WHX builds on a 50-year legacy, bringing together the international healthcare community to advance healthcare worldwide through trade, knowledge exchange, investment, and partnership.

Held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, and taking place at the Dubai Exhibition Center (DEC) from 9-12 February, WHX will host 4,300 exhibitors, and facilitate more than 235,000 professional visits by welcoming healthcare leaders, policymakers, clinicians, innovators and investors from more than 180 countries, reinforcing its position as one of the most influential healthcare platforms globally.

Strong government participation further reinforces the event’s role as a platform for policy dialogue and public-private collaboration, aligned with national and regional priorities around innovation, resilience, and sustainable healthcare systems.

Confirmed government participants include the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHaP), Dubai Health Authority, the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, Sharjah Health Authority, Dubai Health, Dubai Healthcare City Authority, Emirates Health Services, the Emirates Council for Integrative Medicine, and the Emirates Drug Establishment.

The event will open against the backdrop of strong regional and international participation from the global healthcare ecosystem, including a 15% year-on-year increase in exhibition space. Building on the success of last year’s edition, which generated a record US$2.57 billion in business value, the event continues to catalyze cross-border collaboration, market access, and large-scale healthcare investment.

This year’s edition will feature exhibitors across nine core product sectors, including medical equipment and devices, imaging and diagnostics, digital health, healthcare infrastructure, and wellness and prevention. International participation continues to expand, with 32 country pavilions and exhibitors representing mature healthcare markets alongside fast-growing systems across the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Europe, and East Asia.

Ross Williams, Commercial Director, Informa Markets Healthcare, said: “WHX represents a new chapter in the evolution of our event. We are more focused than ever on establishing a global hub for the healthcare community. By bringing together government, healthcare leaders, and decision-makers from around the world, we are creating a platform that accelerates collaboration, advances knowledge, and drives meaningful progress in healthcare systems worldwide.

“The breadth of participation, the depth of content and the scale of opportunity at WHX reflect the ambition of the global healthcare sector and Dubai’s unique role as a connector between markets. This is where ideas turn into action and where the future of healthcare takes shape.”

At the center of WHX will be an extended content experience featuring over 300 speakers and several new conferences and stages. At the core will be a broad portfolio of Continuing Medical Education (CME)-accredited conferences designed to support lifelong learning and clinical excellence, including General Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Urology, Total Radiology, Public Health, and Quality Management & Patient Safety.

These conferences will bring together leading clinicians, researchers, and educators to share the latest evidence, best practices, and clinical advancements, supporting improved patient outcomes and professional development.

Alongside CME education, the program is complemented by executive-level forums and non-CME business conferences that address healthcare leadership, investment, digital transformation, and system-wide innovation.

The Visionary Stage will bring together senior executives, policymakers, investors, and global thought leaders, with sessions focused on healthcare investment, artificial intelligence and digital health, ESG, women in leadership, and the governance of large health systems, connecting boardroom strategy with real-world impact.

Dedicated to disruptive ideas and scalable innovation, the Future X Stage will showcase entrepreneurs, start-ups, venture capitalists, and digital health pioneers, and serve as a platform for breakthrough technologies, new business models, and next-generation healthcare solutions that are reshaping care delivery at scale.

The Frontiers Stage will spotlight the scientific and clinical breakthroughs shaping tomorrow’s healthcare. Across the program, experts will explore advances in biotechnology, life sciences, oncology, women’s health, wellness, and longevity, highlighting how science is translating from research into clinical and commercial impact.

Another new addition to the WHX offering is the Deep Dive Series, which will introduce a hands-on education format combining Masterclasses and Bootcamps. These sessions are for both clinicians and healthcare leaders and deliver focused, practical learning, from skills-based clinical training to executive insights on digital transformation, sustainability, and healthcare system change.

Underscoring the show's innovation, WHX has introduced the Xcelerate competition, designed to serve as a launchpad for health and tech disrupters ready to scale. Over four days of the event, 30 early-stage startups will compete for a share of a US$ 25,000 prize pool and be crowned the Xcelerate Champion of Innovation.

In 2026, WHX will be co-timed with WHX Labs (formerly Medlab Middle East), the region's leading laboratory and diagnostics event. WHX takes place from 9 to 12 February at DEC, while WHX Labs will continue at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 10 to 13 February.

For more information or to register for the event, please visit World Health Expo (WHX).
                                               

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