DUBAI — Healthcare and trade professionals from more than 159 countries will arrive in Dubai today (Jan. 27) for the opening of the Arab Health Exhibition & Conferences, the largest gathering of healthcare companies, technology, products and services in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region.

Following the success of the 2019 edition, where business generated by exhibitors during the show increased by 5.9% year-on-year from $778 million in 2018 to $824 in 2019, more than 55,000 healthcare and trade professionals and 4,250 exhibiting companies from over 64 countries are expected at the Dubai World Trade Centre and Conrad Dubai Hotel on Jan. 27 – 30, 2020.

Ross Williams, Exhibition Director, Arab Health, said: “Now in its 45th year, Arab Health continues to be the leading platform for the MENA healthcare industry to build relationships with international stakeholders and to showcase the latest innovation and technology in the healthcare sector. We have a very specific mandate to facilitate business opportunities within the region while also advancing industry knowledge, something we have facilitated successfully for over four decades.”

The theme for Arab Health 2020 is Connectivity for better healthcare delivery, promoting the shows commitment to bringing together stakeholders from the full spectrum of the healthcare industry to support improvement in the sector. To achieve this goal, ‘sectorization’ will form a major focus for the event with the show floor split into eight distinct sectors, including medical equipment and devices; disposable and consumer goods; healthcare infrastructure and assets; imaging and diagnostics; and preventive and post-diagnostics treatments, among others.

With innovation anticipated to be a hot topic of discussion on the show floor, the much-lauded Innovation Hub returns with a dedicated area at Arab Health. Located in the Plaza Hall, the Start up zone will feature start-ups, SMEs and innovators providing the opportunity to showcase and demonstrate their new products and innovation shaping the future of healthcare.

This year will also see the return of the Innov8 Talks segment, where eight SME’s and entrepreneurs for each day of the show will have eight minutes to present their latest groundbreaking healthcare ideas. The final day of the exhibition will see winners from each day ‘pitch off’ to judges including Marwan Abdulaziz, Managing Director, Dubai Science Park; Khalid Ghaloua Adine, Digital Healthcare, Etisalat; Ihsan Almarzooqi, Chief Strategy and Governance, Dubai Healthcare City Authority; and Mubaraka Ibrahim, Director of IT Department, Ministry of Health and Prevention, amongst others. Representatives from Microsoft and Amazon will also provide keynote speeches.

Continuing the innovation and tech-driven theme, Arab Health will offer a range of free workshops, hands-on training sessions and social events by leaders in the healthcare industry focused on advanced techniques using the latest state-of-the-art equipment. Additionally, this year the immersive zone by VRAR Association, located at the Plaza Hall, will bring futuristic healthcare experiences in training, diagnostic, therapeutic and wellness programs.

“Arab Health’s year-on-year growth is directly aligned with the growth witnessed in healthcare technology, thus providing the perfect platform for exhibitors to showcase their latest innovations and technology to support and benefit the industry,” added Williams.

In another first for Arab Health, Anatomaze will be introduced to the show this year and will offer visitors an unforgettable journey into the human body, with realistic views of arteries, the shoulder joint, and the brain. Organised by Leader Healthcare, the showcase will take place in Sheikh Maktoum Hall.

Two new forums will be introduced to the 2020 edition, with the focus on healthcare investment and infrastructure. The Healthcare Investment Forum will address investment in health tech, real estate, the current landscape and future opportunities. Meanwhile, the free to attend Healthcare Infrastructure Forum will span the lifecycle of a healthcare facility; from vision through to the design, build, management and operation.

In addition to the exhibition, a number of business, leadership and Continuing Medical Education (CME) conferences will provide the very latest updates and insights into cutting edge medical procedures, techniques and skills.

As one of the largest CME accredited multi-track medical conferences in the world, a total of 14 conferences will take place across the four days of Arab Health Congress, taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre and the Conrad Dubai Hotel. More than 5,200 delegates are expected to attend popular returning tracks including Obs & Gyne, Diabetes and Total Radiology, as well as eight new conferences that include; Midwifery, Patient Experience, Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine, and a Healthcare Investment Forum, amongst others.

“The Arab Health Congress brings together influencers from all major medical disciplines to facilitate the continuous advancement of healthcare in the region as well as providing the opportunity for growth in multiple fields and disciplines,” concluded Williams.

Organized by Informa Markets, an anticipated 4,250+ exhibitors from more than 64 countries and 55,000 visitors are expected to attend the 2020 edition of Arab Health which runs from 10am to 5pm. — SG