Arab Health 2024, opened in Dubai, features over 3,400 exhibitors, more than 40 international pavilions, and over 180 participating countries….reports Asian Lite News
H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, opened the 49th edition of Arab Health, the largest healthcare exhibition in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Speaking on the occasion of the event’s inauguration, H.H. Sheikh Maktoum said that under the visionary guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the healthcare sector of Dubai is set to further consolidate its benchmarks of excellence by providing best-in-class infrastructure, deploying the latest technologies, and attracting skilled talent.
“Dubai’s focus on delivering high-quality, patient-centred medical care through strong public-private partnerships has significantly enhanced its reputation as a leading regional and global healthcare hub. By bringing together the world’s foremost healthcare expertise and institutions, and fostering an environment for excellence and innovation in the sector, Dubai continues to consolidate its status as a premier healthcare destination. Healthcare remains one of our highest priorities in line with the government’s objective to make Dubai one of the world’s best places to live and work,” H.H. Sheikh Maktoum added.
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Being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 29th January to 1st February 2024, the exhibition features over 3,400 exhibitors, more than 40 international pavilions, and over 180 participating countries. Visitors to the event have the opportunity to network, discover cutting-edge healthcare technology and game-changing healthcare insights, and form meaningful business connections.
H.H .Sheikh Maktoum toured the exhibition, accompanied by Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad bin Nasser Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention; Abdulla Al Basti, Secretary-General of Dubai Executive Council; Mansour Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi; Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority; Dr. Amer Ahmad Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health; Helal Saeed Al Marri, Chairman of Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, and a number of senior officials and healthcare experts.
During the tour, His Highness visited pavilions of M42, Dubai Healthcare City, Emirates Health Services, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, Philips and GE Healthcare, where he was briefed about their latest services and products. He also visited the Italian pavilion at the exhibition.
Arab Health 2024 has nine product sectors, which include Medical Equipment and Devices, Disposables and Consumer Goods, Orthopaedics and Physiotherapy, Imaging and Diagnostics, Healthcare and General Services, IT Systems and Solutions, Healthcare Infrastructure and Assets, Wellness and Prevention and Healthcare Transformation.
Dubai’s strong healthcare growth
Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA), the governing body of Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) free zone, unveiled a report titled “Dubai’s Healthcare Ecosystem Highlights” at Arab Health 2024, which provides key insights and strong growth indicators in the emirate’s healthcare sector. The new report sheds light on Dubai Healthcare City’s (DHCC) commitment to advancing the healthcare ecosystem, and its approach to seamlessly integrating core healthcare services and collaborating with global organisations.
Key findings from the report highlight the key role DHCC plays as the emirate’s healthcare investment hub, with the free zone’s turnover between 2020 and 2024 expected to increase significantly at an estimated 16% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR). The figure underscores the free zone’s unwavering commitment to its ecosystem’s efficiency and sustainability, and confidence from major regional and international healthcare investors in DHCC’s capability to enable growth opportunities in Dubai’s dynamic healthcare landscape.
Other key findings reaffirm the robust growth of Dubai’s healthcare industry, showing strong increases in both public and private sector UAE healthcare expenditure. Public sector spending is set to reach AED 104 billion by 2027, with the private sector forecast to AED 22 billion (private) by the same period, at a CAGR of 7.5% and 8.8% respectively.
The study also highlights DHCC’s ongoing expansion of Phase 2, which is designed to complement the healthcare ecosystem with preventive care, wellness and urban lifestyle. Encompassing approximately 22 million square feet, Phase 2 has attracted strategic investment of AED 1.03 billion from 2019 to date. The allocation includes 57.65% for mixed use commercial and residential, 18.88% for hospitality and residential, 10.73% for healthcare, 10.11% for commercial and hospitality and 2.63% for residential. The development of Phase 2 aligns with DHCC’s commitment to attract more investors, expanding healthcare and residential facilities to address the evolving needs of Dubai’s growing population.
Aligning with the emirate’s vision for a dynamic healthcare industry to serve a projected population of 5.8 million by 2040 and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which has a goal to increase the land area for education and health facilities by 25%, DHCC plays a key role in attracting investment to contribute to these ambitious goals, fostering a vibrant, healthy and inclusive community for residents and visitors.
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