The global healthcare sector is experiencing a rapid transformation, driven by an urgent demand for scalable, technology-enabled solutions. The integration of technology across healthcare systems and services has shifted from being a long-term goal to an immediate priority, with digital health becoming essential for healthcare delivery.

This momentum is particularly evident in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt are making significant investments in next-generation healthcare infrastructure. Innovations including AI-powered diagnostics, smart hospitals, digital patient records, and virtual care platforms are establishing the MENA region as a key player in healthtech innovation.

In the UAE, initiatives like the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 and Malaffi, the first health information exchange platform in the Middle East, demonstrate a commitment to a future-ready healthcare system. Similarly, Saudi Arabia’s Health Sector Transformation Programme, which is part of Vision 2030, is redefining healthcare delivery models on a national scale.

To capitalize on this growing ecosystem of investment and innovation, WHX Tech will debut in Dubai from September 8 to 10, 2025. This groundbreaking event aims to accelerate the adoption of digital health solutions and foster cross-border partnerships, bringing advanced technologies to the forefront. WHX Tech is an extension of WHX, the world’s largest network of healthcare events, and is being launched in partnership with HIMSS, the global authority on health information and technology.

WHX has a proven track record of organizing world-class events in Dubai, with its flagship event, WHX Dubai (formerly Arab Health), welcoming the global healthcare community since 1975. WHX Tech will similarly gather innovators, investors, healthcare leaders, and policymakers to shape the future of digital health.

With more than 300 exhibitors and over 5 000 health tech leaders expected to attend, WHX Tech is poised to be more than just a trade show. It aims to create a collaborative platform that accelerates partnerships among startups, investors, regulators, and global healthcare providers.

Dubai’s selection as the launch city for WHX Tech is a strategic choice. The city is already a global hub for business and innovation, particularly in healthcare. Its advanced digital infrastructure, supportive policies, and strong connectivity to global markets create an ideal environment for new healthcare delivery models.

Government initiatives like the Dubai Health Strategy 2026 and the Dubai Future Foundation’s healthcare innovation sandbox further solidify the city’s ambition to lead in the health sector. WHX Tech is designed to reflect and amplify this ambition.

The event will feature three core stages: World X, Future X, and Xcelerate. These will showcase real-world smart hospital implementations and highlight promising biotech and AI startups that will shape the future of healthcare over the next two decades.

WHX Tech is dedicated to supporting startups that drive healthcare transformation. The Xcelerate Zone will host the region’s largest digital health startup competition, offering a $50 000 prize fund and opportunities for early-stage ventures to pitch to global investors. In addition to the competition, startups will benefit from networking opportunities, expert feedback, and connections that can lead to funding and commercial growth.

Hosting Xcelerate in Dubai, a global hub for entrepreneurship and healthcare investment, provides startups with a unique platform to expand their influence across the Middle East and beyond.

What distinguishes WHX Tech is not only its scale but also its purpose. The event boasts a world-class advisory board of industry leaders, including Dr. David Rhew from Microsoft and Dr. James Mault from BioIntelliSense, ensuring a focus on outcomes and global best practices.

As healthcare technologies evolve, so must the methods of connection, collaboration, and change. WHX Tech will address pressing issues like access, ethics, regulation, and data interoperability through live demonstrations, immersive content, and expert-led panels, facilitating meaningful cross-border collaborations.

WHX Tech is where innovation transforms into impact, benefiting healthcare systems that support both providers and patients. It is a platform where policymakers can shape future regulations, startups can introduce groundbreaking technologies, and investors can support transformative solutions. At WHX Tech, global ambitions align with regional opportunities, making the future of healthcare a reality.

The future of healthcare will be defined at WHX Tech, and participants are encouraged to join in this digital healthcare revolution.