Healthcare is one industry that has so much potential to shape a nation’s growth. And it’s not just because of its role in safeguarding lives; but its potential in serving as a catalyst for scientific progress, job creation, and even tourism. While some areas in the Middle East face challenges, there are countries whose healthcare systems have emerged as role models in terms of success and innovation.
Case in point: the United Arab Emirates.
The UAE takes pride in its healthcare advancements, especially in the fields of cosmetic surgery, ophthalmology, and cancer treatment. With a penchant for cutting-edge technology, the Emirates also made a mark with its robotic surgeries. For instance, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi recently performed the UAE’s first bilateral kidney transplant and its first simultaneous robotic donor and recipient kidney transplant.
The UAE’s medical tourism sector is also booming, with Dubai attracting over 691,000 health tourists in 2023 and contributing AED1.03 billion to the economy. The American Hospital Dubai’s AHD Global Initiative — an international medical tourism media tour — is a great example of how private healthcare providers can support the government’s goal of positioning Dubai and the broader UAE as a top medical destination.
Acknowledging the role of digital health, the country has also been leveraging telemedicine and artificial intelligence (AI) to make healthcare even more accessible. In 2024, the number of digital health users in the UAE reached 3.4 million.
However, it’s not just the UAE witnessing a thriving healthcare landscape. Driven by an increasing focus on preventive care — coupled with a keenness to adopt new technologies — healthcare spending among Gulf states is projected to reach $135.5 billion by 2027.
In Saudi Arabia, Vision 2030 includes healthcare transformation initiatives to make the sector more comprehensive, effective, and integrated. As part of it, the country unveiled the Seha Virtual Hospital in February 2022. The first of its kind in the region and the largest virtual hospital globally, it supports over 160 hospitals and provides a wide range of specialized health services.
By 2030, the country’s digital health market could also hit $6.7 billion, according to Research and Markets. And to further boost digital innovation, Saudi Arabia launched the Regulatory Healthcare Sandbox last year. It’s a platform that offers support in AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), biotechnology, and 3D printing.
Meanwhile, in Qatar, the Ministry of Public Health recently unveiled an e-learning platform dedicated to healthcare practitioners. In Bahrain, Royal Medical Services signed a deal with the UAE’s tech-enabled, integrated healthcare entity M42 to improve access to top-class heart and lung transplant procedures for patients in Bahrain.
The recently held Arab Health 2025 (now rebranded as WHX Dubai) also underscored gender diversity, highlighting women’s role in healthcare leadership. Indeed, healthcare is one industry that has so much potential to shape a nation’s growth. With all these efforts, encompassing initiatives for healthcare practitioners, innovators, patients, and health tourists, the region demonstrates a commitment to building a globally competitive healthcare ecosystem.
