Dubai: The World Health Expo (WHX) 2026 began at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai. The Ministry of Health and Prevention, along with national and emirate-level health authorities, is participating through the Emirates Health platform.
According to Emirates News Agency, this national platform showcases how policy, regulation, and innovation are applied at a national scale, reinforcing healthcare as a national priority and underscoring the government's commitment to improving the nation's health. The Emirates Health platform unites federal and local health authorities under a shared vision focused on prevention, preparedness, and innovation to enhance health outcomes and national resilience.
Throughout the exhibition, UAE health authorities emphasize that healthcare in the UAE is a national responsibility. The unified presence demonstrates how policy leadership and regulation work together to protect population health and support long-term social and economic development in line with national priorities, including We the UAE 2031 and the UAE Centennial 2071.
Participating authorities 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. These authorities operate within their mandates while contributing to shared health priorities, highlighting how coordination enables effective planning and improved decision-making at local, regional, and global levels.
The Emirates Health platform showcases national initiatives that support population health and future readiness. These include the Enterprise Data Warehouse and Disease Registry (Bayan), the Health Policy and Legislation Smart Platform, and the AI-powered Behavioural Insights Platform, each demonstrating how policy, regulation, and innovation contribute to public health objectives.
Clinical innovation is also highlighted, with advanced organ perfusion technologies showcased as part of the National Programme for Donation and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissue (Hayat). These efforts reinforce the UAE's commitment to saving lives and enhancing regional and international cooperation in organ donation and transplantation.
Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention, emphasized the importance of government responsibility in building the health of nations. He stated that the UAE prioritizes prevention, early action, and protecting population health through policy, regulation, data, and partnerships.
Sheikha Salama bint Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the UAE Integrative Medicine Council, highlighted the UAE's commitment to developing a balanced healthcare system by integrating Emirati heritage and traditional practices with modern medicine.
Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, described Abu Dhabi's health system as an integrated infrastructure that combines intelligence, data, and care to serve people first. He noted that the UAE presents this approach as a unified national model at the World Health Expo 2026.
Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director-General of the Emirates Drug Establishment, highlighted the Establishment's role in developing and regulating the pharmaceutical sector through innovative initiatives and high-impact projects.
Dr. Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority, and Dr. Abdulaziz Saeed Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Sharjah Health Authority, also emphasized the significance of the World Health Expo 2026 in advancing the healthcare sector and fostering international collaboration.
World Health Expo 2026 provides a platform for engagement with international partners and experts, hosting policy dialogues, workshops, and knowledge-exchange sessions. The event features over 4,300 exhibitors from more than 180 countries, offering a global forum for dialogue on innovation in healthcare delivery, emerging technologies, and policy collaboration.