Informa has unveiled the launch of the world’s largest healthcare event, following the decision to host two flagship gatherings simultaneously in 2026. From February 9 to 13, 2026, WHX Dubai (formerly known as Arab Health) and WHX Labs Dubai (previously Medlab Middle East) will convene over 270,000 healthcare leaders from 180 nations and more than 4,800 exhibitors, transforming Dubai into a global healthcare hub and a catalyst for medical advancement.
For decades, these events have positioned Dubai at the core of global healthcare conversations. Set to occur concurrently in 2026, under the auspices of the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, they will merge to create the world’s largest healthcare event—a city-wide opportunity for deal-making, networking, and knowledge-sharing that addresses universal healthcare and laboratory challenges.
WHX Dubai will take place from February 9 to 12 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) in Expo City Dubai, marking a historic milestone as the event will be held outside the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) for the first time in its 50-year history.
Record-breaking business value
The exhibition will draw an international audience and serve as a global platform for innovation, allowing exhibitors to present solutions across nine diverse product sectors, including medical devices, imaging and diagnostics, and healthcare infrastructure.
The 50th edition of this event, which occurred earlier this year, generated a record-breaking $2.57 billion in business value, with each exhibitor experiencing an average impact of $2.14 million.
WHX Dubai 2026 is poised to enhance global health with a forward-thinking program that includes seven CME-accredited conferences and over 250 speakers. This edition will introduce four new certified boot camps and three dedicated stages: the Future X Stage for pioneering ideas; the Frontiers Stage, showcasing the latest advancements in science, wellness, and life sciences; and the Visionary Stage, where global leaders will offer insightful perspectives on investment, leadership, artificial intelligence, and ESG.
As it marks its 25th anniversary in 2026, WHX Labs Dubai will occur from February 10 to 13 at DWTC. Under the theme “25 Years of Laboratory Innovation: Uniting Communities for Better Health,” the event will highlight excellence in laboratories, diagnostics, and precision medicine.
Last year, WHX Labs Dubai generated $621 million in business, serving as a platform that connected key buyers, government ministries, and decision-makers driving diagnostics-related innovation and investment in the Middle East.
Accelerating global healthcare solutions
WHX Labs Dubai will showcase the latest advancements from across the medical lab ecosystem through eight product pillars. Additionally, the 25th Annual Laboratory Management and Medicine Congress will feature eight CME-accredited scientific conference tracks with 250 global thought leaders and laboratory specialists. Attendees can engage in industry-defining discussions at the WHX Labs Roundtables and partake in two new clinician conferences: the Precision Health Global Forum and the Antimicrobial Resistance Leadership Global Summit.
Solenne Singer, senior vice president at Informa Markets, stated: “WHX Dubai and WHX Labs Dubai are both well-established events with a proven track record of advancing knowledge and trade at both regional and global levels. We are delighted to host them concurrently to form the world’s largest healthcare event, which will transform Dubai into a hub for the global healthcare ecosystem for five enlightening days.
“Dubai’s unique position will enable bold ideas and breakthroughs to cross borders rapidly, accelerating the spread of solutions from one market to another while reinforcing the UAE’s status as an international center for healthcare transformation. By hosting the world’s largest healthcare event, our attendees will make a significant contribution to future advances in medical excellence and innovation in the UAE and beyond.”
