Healthcare and pharmaceuticals

Preferred destination for healthcare and pharma

Dubai’s healthcare and pharmaceuticals sector has seen substantial annual growth in recent years. World-class healthcare infrastructure, an advanced manufacturing sector, extensive trade links and extensive logistical capabilities have attracted top healthcare providers and multinational pharmaceutical companies. 

Dubai has made strides in pioneering advanced technologies, including AI (artificial intelligence) in public health. Its healthtech ecosystem is also seeing rapid expansion, bolstered by easy access to capital and pro-investor strategies. Dubai-based healthcare and pharma companies benefit from its conducive environment for R&D and scientific breakthroughs, enabling the commercialisation of innovative health-focused solutions.

Unlocking opportunities in an expanding sector

Dubai is ideally positioned to tap into this flourishing market and play a pivotal role in driving rapid growth in the healthcare sector of the entire MENA region, which has some of the region’s most well-developed private health facilities. The city boasts 56 hospitals, 57 day-care surgery centres, 59 diagnostic centres and more than 1,500 specialised outpatient clinics. It has over 1,300 pharmaceutical facilities, 17 medicine storage facilities and 410 optical centres.

Extensive resources and support ecosystem

Dubai is a leader in healthcare and pharmaceutical innovation and home to the world’s largest medical-free zone, Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC). The DHCC boasts a vast network of resources, with ten hospitals, 168 clinical facilities, and 95 regional headquarters of healthcare multinational firms, with plans to expand. The DHCC is expected to contribute US$925.8 million (AED3.4 billion) to Dubai’s GDP by 2030 and support more than 16,000 jobs.

Strong logistics and distribution support

Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA) is a premier healthcare manufacturing and distribution location, offering competitive advantages such as zero tax, 100% ownership, and no import/export duties. With over 400 healthcare and pharmaceutical companies from 60+ countries, JAFZA collaborates with Imperial Logistics (acquired by DP World) to operate a medical manufacturing and solutions hub, witnessing a seven-fold increase in export trade value in 2023. With its strategic proximity to Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport, JAFZA ensures smooth trade connectivity for healthcare customers to vital destinations across Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Embedding tech into healthcare

Dubai’s healthcare ecosystem actively encourages the adoption of cutting-edge technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotic surgery, radiosurgery, advanced neuro and spinal options, 3D technology in dental services, prosthetic surgery and stem cell technologies.

Streamlining entrepreneurial growth

Healthtech in the region has experienced unprecedented growth, attracting domestic and foreign venture capital funding. Dubai is spearheading this growth, supported by various programmes and initiatives designed specifically for healthtech firms. 

This includes accelerators like the Dubai Healthcare City Accelerator (DHCX) and initiatives such as C37 and Masaar that support the growth of healthcare businesses. Freezones like the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) contribute to sectors such as medical engineering services and health awareness, as well as providing support to start-ups through accelerators, VCs, and more.

Hosting market-leading healthcare events

Dubai regularly hosts major pharmaceutical, healthtech, and healthcare events. Most prominent among these are Arab Health, the region’s premier healthcare event (which also hosts the Future Health Summit), and DUPHAT, MEA's largest pharmaceutical exhibition and conference. 

These events bring together experts from both private and public sectors to innovate solutions to significant challenges in the health sector. They provide a platform for key industry players to share recent innovations, build networks and explore partnerships.