Health

What’s Driving the UAE’s Medical Tourism Boom? Inside Sharjah Health Expo 2025

By Buthayna El Haggar

On January 8, 2025, Sharjah inaugurated its first-ever Health and Medical Tourism Exhibition at the Expo Centre Sharjah, solidifying its commitment to becoming a hub for global health and wellness tourism.

Running until January 10, the event is themed “Sharjah, the City of Health and Wellness” and seeks to showcase the UAE’s advanced healthcare system and medical tourism potential.

Organized by Lotfi Khelifi, CEO of Gulf Health Magazine, and supported by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Expo Centre Sharjah, the exhibition highlights the UAE’s exceptional medical facilities, cost-effective treatments, and highly skilled professionals.

A Robust Healthcare System With Global Comparisons

via Brand Finance

The UAE’s healthcare system stands out for its significant investment and accessibility. In 2020, the country reportedly spent AED 72.4 billion ($19.7 billion) on healthcare, equating to AED 7,317 ($1,992) per person.

This figure surpasses the 2022 GCC average of $17.4 billion and the European Union’s 2021 average of $16.1 billion, according to industry reports.

The healthcare system in the UAE operates through a mix of government funding and mandatory health insurance schemes.

UAE citizens benefit from free healthcare services in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, while residents in other emirates may bear some or all of the costs for specific treatments. Public health insurance programs like Thiqa (Abu Dhabi), ENAYA (Dubai), and Sharjah Health Insurance further enhance access for Emiratis.

Meanwhile, expatriates are required to secure private health insurance, with employers often covering this cost. For non-employed residents or travelers, international health insurance providers offer alternative solutions.

Comprehensive Healthcare Showcase

The exhibition features leading hospitals, medical centers, and cosmetic surgery providers.

Attendees can explore state-of-the-art medical advancements and specialized treatments that underscore the UAE’s global reputation in healthcare.

Additionally, the event emphasizes fostering stronger relationships between healthcare institutions and the community.

Delegations from international medical tourism companies are attending to explore partnerships with UAE healthcare providers.

Educational and Training Opportunities

Beyond showcasing medical innovations, the event offers medical awareness sessions and training courses.

These programs, led by industry specialists, focus on topics such as establishing medical tourism departments within hospitals and marketing strategies for medical tourism.

Certificates will be awarded to participants who complete the sessions, providing valuable professional development opportunities.

Sharjah’s Growing Role in Global Healthcare

via SME10x

With its substantial healthcare spending and advanced infrastructure, Sharjah is positioning itself as a leader in health and wellness tourism. The Health and Medical Tourism Exhibition 2025 not only celebrates these achievements but also fosters collaboration, professional development, and innovation in healthcare.

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Buthayna El Haggar

A curious wanderer and neurodivergent polymath from Egypt, Buthayna is a writer, translator, and researcher passionate about storytelling through performance arts and expressive writing. A biophilic at heart, she finds solace in the sensory joys of food and music, often escaping into realms of imagination through films and literature. She is multilingual and she treasures authentic connections with those who seek growth and self-awareness, even as she often prefers the company of solitude.

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