Middle East

Emirates Health Services (EHS) unveiled cutting-edge initiatives at Arab Health 2025 in Dubai, highlighting breakthroughs in chronic disease management. Key projects include FDA-approved Artificial Heart and Pancreatic Cell Transplantation procedures, aiming to improve outcomes for patients with heart failure and diabetes. EHS’s Acting Executive Director emphasized the alignment of these innovations with the UAE’s National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031, focusing on optimizing community health services. These advanced therapies signify a major leap forward for the region’s medical capabilities and reinforce the UAE’s position as a healthcare innovation leader.

The Healthcare Leader’s Summit Middle East 2025 convened policymakers, innovators, and healthcare professionals in Dubai to discuss building resilient, people-centric health systems. The region faces challenges such as aging populations and lifestyle diseases accounting for 70% of deaths, highlighting the need for coordinated workforce development and reimbursement reforms. With projected healthcare markets surpassing $135 billion by 2027, Gulf countries are investing heavily in digital health, AI diagnostics, and hospital infrastructure. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 allocates over $65 billion to healthcare transformation, and the UAE is expanding medical tourism. The summit emphasized practical solutions to improve healthcare access, affordability, and outcomes.

The inaugural Cure by Deerfield Middle East Health Accelerator announced its first cohort of 15 pioneering healthcare startups focusing on digital health, medtech, and innovative care delivery across MENA. Backed by Deerfield Management and Qatar Investment Authority, the accelerator provides mentorship, funding access, and pilot opportunities in Qatar’s thriving health ecosystem. The selected companies tackle key challenges such as telemedicine, chronic disease prevention, and integrated digital care. Each startup aims for scalability and real-world impact, addressing gaps in healthcare accessibility and quality. The initiative exemplifies Qatar’s leadership in fostering a vibrant ecosystem for healthcare innovation in the Middle East.

Syria’s healthcare system remains fragile nearly a year after the country’s civil war ended, as funding shortages threaten access to medical services and basic medicines. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), only 58% of hospitals and 23% of primary care centers are fully functional. Since mid-2025, over 400 health facilities have faced funding cuts, leading to reduced or suspended services affecting 7.4 million people. Critical trauma consultations and births with skilled attendants have declined sharply. The shortage of healthcare workers remains serious, with the environment still not conducive for professionals to return in large numbers. WHO urges the international community and Syrian authorities to prioritize rebuilding the health infrastructure and restoring essential services.