Celebrating 50 Years of Arab Health: A Look Back and a Look Forward
Healthcare & Life Sciences Focus
Andrea Tithecott. Partner, Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences
Marwan Abdulaziz JanahiSenior Vice President, Dubai Science Park
The 2025 Arab Health Conference is indeed a special event as it marks the 50th edition of this significant healthcare gathering. Since its inception in 1975, Arab Health has grown into one of the largest and most important healthcare events in the Middle East, attracting global leaders, innovators, and professionals from the healthcare industry. The 2025 edition is a milestone platform that will celebrate five decades of advancements and collaborations in the healthcare sector, making it a particularly noteworthy occasion.
As part of the Arab Health community, we have witnessed remarkable achievements and transformations that have taken place in the healthcare and life sciences sector over the past 50 years. These experiences have also offered learnings and insights into the trends and opportunities – both now and in the future – shaping the next 50 years of healthcare in the region, and beyond.
The past five decades have seen tremendous changes and developments in the healthcare and life sciences sector, both globally and locally. Some of the key milestones and achievements that have marked this period include:
The establishment of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1978 set the vision and framework for global health cooperation and action.
The eradication of smallpox in 1980 resulted from a massive global vaccination campaign led by the WHO and its partners.
The discovery of HIV in 1983 sparked a global response to combat the AIDS pandemic and advance research and innovation in virology, immunology, and antiretroviral therapy.
The launch of the Human Genome Project in 1990 mapped the entire human DNA sequence and opened new horizons for understanding and treating genetic diseases and disorders.
The development of the first artificial heart in 2001 demonstrated the potential of bioengineering and artificial organs to save lives and improve quality of life.
The Covid-19 pandemic, officially declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO on 30 January 2020 and characterised as a pandemic on 11 March 2020, was declared over as a global health emergency on 5 May 2023.
The emergence of new technologies and platforms such as telemedicine, mobile health, wearable devices, artificial intelligence, big data, and blockchain has revolutionised the delivery, accessibility, and efficiency of healthcare services and solutions.
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the wider Gulf region, the healthcare and life sciences sector has also witnessed remarkable growth and innovation, driven by the vision and leadership of the government, the private sector, and academic and research institutions. Some of the notable achievements and initiatives that have contributed to the development of the sector include:
The establishment of the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) in 1971, which oversees and regulates the healthcare sector in the UAE, setting the national health policies and strategies;
The creation of the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) in 2023, which is a federal institution responsible for regulating, among other items, medical products in the UAE. The EDE aims to improve public health, promote research and development, strengthen local industrial capacity, and ensure medicine security in the UAE;
The update of the pharmacy law in 2023, which modernises the regulation and practice of pharmacy in the UAE, simplifies the process of obtaining licenses to market multiple products, allows approval for specific entities to market medical products without additional authorisation, and requires at least two pharmaceutical establishments for importing and marketing activities;
The opening of the sector to the private sector by way of 100% foreign ownership of companies, which enhances the attractiveness and competitiveness of the UAE as a destination for healthcare investment and innovation;
The move away from the exclusivity of distributors and ensuring supply security, which increases the availability, affordability, and quality of medical products in the UAE;
Opportunities for manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, which boosts the local production and export of high-quality medical products, contributing to the UAE's economic development and positioning it as a hub for pharmaceutical innovation; and
The explosion of clinical trials, research and development, and innovation, fostering the development and adoption of advanced medical technologies and solutions, such as genomics, stem cells, biotechnology, and personalised medicine, positioning the UAE as a leader in healthcare innovation.
These measures are part of Saudi Arabia's broader efforts to integrate AI into various sectors while maintaining high standards of accountability and transparency. The country has launched several initiatives and projects to leverage AI for improving healthcare outcomes, such as the National Unified Medical Record, the Saudi Health Information Exchange, and the National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence. The country is also actively participating in international forums and collaborations related to data and AI, such as the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence and the G20 Digital Economy Task Force.
AI-driven healthcare initiatives in Saudi Arabia include the National Unified Medical Record and Health Information Exchange.
As we look forward to the next 50 years of healthcare and life sciences, we anticipate that the sector will continue to evolve and transform, driven by the following trends and opportunities:
The increasing demand for healthcare services and solutions, due to the growing and ageing population, the rise of chronic and lifestyle diseases, and the emergence of new health challenges and threats such as pandemics, antimicrobial resistance, and climate change;
The advancement of digital health and data-driven healthcare, which will enable more accessible, personalised, and preventive healthcare, as well as enhance the quality, efficiency, and safety of healthcare delivery and outcomes;
The development of new and novel therapies and interventions, such as gene editing, immunotherapy, nanomedicine, and regenerative medicine, which will offer new possibilities for curing and treating diseases and disorders that are currently incurable or untreatable;
The integration of healthcare and life sciences with other sectors and disciplines, such as engineering, robotics, artificial intelligence, and social sciences, which will create new synergies and innovations that will benefit human health and well-being;
The promotion of health literacy and empowerment, which will enable individuals and communities to take more active roles and responsibilities in managing their own health and wellness, as well as influencing health policies and systems; and.
The strengthening of health governance and collaboration, which will ensure the alignment and coordination of health policies, regulations, and standards across different levels and sectors, as well as foster regional and international cooperation and partnerships to address common health challenges and goals.
The GCC, particularly the UAE, demonstrated remarkable resilience and proactive measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, governments across the MENA region swiftly implemented stringent public health measures, including widespread testing, contact tracing, and quarantine protocols. The UAE, for instance, established one of the world’s largest and most efficient testing and vaccination programmes. By leveraging advanced technology and robust healthcare infrastructure, the UAE ensured the rapid vaccination of its population, which played a crucial role in securing the health of its citizens and residents.
In addition to public health measures, the UAE and other GCC countries introduced substantial economic stimulus packages to support businesses and individuals affected by the pandemic. These measures included financial aid, tax relief, and support for small- and medium-sized enterprises. The UAE’s strategic investments in digital transformation and innovation also paid off, as the country quickly adapted to remote work and digital services, ensuring business continuity and economic stability.
As a result of these comprehensive efforts, the GCC emerged stronger post-pandemic, with its ability to protect its population and maintain economic stability positioning it as a resilient and forward-thinking hub that is ready to tackle future challenges and opportunities. The UAE’s success story serves as a model for other nations in balancing public health priorities with economic growth.
As co-contributors to this article, we are honoured to be part of the Arab Health community and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this remarkable healthcare event. Optimistic and enthusiastic about the future of healthcare and life sciences, we look forward to continuing our collaboration and contribution to this vital and dynamic sector. Alongside the global innovators and talent, we will shape the next 50 years of healthcare to make a positive difference in the lives of millions of people.
For further information,please contact Andrea Tithecott.
Published in January 2025
