During the recent opening of the fifth edition of the Health Leaders Summit – Abu Dhabi 2026, His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, highlighted the nation’s determination to position itself as a global leader. Under the clear guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the country aims to foster an environment welcoming to people from all corners of the globe, leveraging technology to enhance human welfare, propel research and innovation, and prioritise the health and well-being of all residents.
UAE: A Beacon of Health Excellence
His Excellency elaborated on the UAE’s exceptional healthcare facilities and skilled professionals, emphasising that the country’s ambition extends beyond merely adopting global achievements; it strives to set the benchmarks for excellence in healthcare. The remarks came at the prestigious summit, organised by Forbes Middle East in partnership with PureHealth, held at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi on September 22 and 23, under the theme “Setting Global Standards for Healthcare Excellence.” The event attracted over 100 speakers and nearly 3,000 participants from policymakers, executive leaders, scientists, and experts from within the UAE and around the world.
Understanding Patient Expectations
In his address, Sheikh Nahyan welcomed the healthcare leaders and posed a crucial question regarding the meaning of excellence amidst the rapid advancements in science, medicine, technology, and patient expectations. He noted the increasing burden on healthcare systems globally due to chronic and preventable diseases. While longevity is a significant human achievement, it demands increased focus on prevention, early diagnosis, and health maintenance. He underscored that these challenges underline the importance of the summit.
Key Observations by Sheikh Nahyan
Sheikh Nahyan shared four important insights, reflecting his keen interest in healthcare and its future:
- Technological Advancements: He acknowledged the extraordinary potential opened up by technological developments in diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and research. However, the art of medicine will still rely on the human touch, requiring doctors to diagnose, prescribe, and interact compassionately with patients. He urged for strong partnerships between decision-makers, pharmaceutical companies, tech developers, doctors, and hospitals, as institutions alone cannot shape the future.
- Healthcare Management: Sheikh Nahyan emphasised that effective healthcare management is as critical as scientific discoveries. As populations grow and lifespans extend, managing rising costs and improving efficiency become pivotal. He remarked that the true test of any health system lies in the care it provides to ordinary patients, not just the fortunate few.
- Regional Dimension: Sheikh Nahyan pointed out that disease does not recognise national borders, thus knowledge should not be restricted by them. He stressed the importance of facilitating the transfer of research, clinical experiences, and successful preventive and treatment models across the region. The UAE will continue to promote regional collaboration and coordination in healthcare.
- Humanitarian Principles: As Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, he highlighted the commitment of healthcare personnel to uphold exceptional professional standards, providing care without discrimination based on nationality, religion, language, gender, or social status. He called for the protection of this essential humanitarian principle, ensuring that healthcare systems maintain their humanity even as they become increasingly intelligent and automated.
In conclusion, Sheikh Nahyan expressed hope that the summit would help define a global standard for excellence—one that measures not only technological advancement but also the health of the population, ease of access to care, and the humanity embedded in service delivery. He extended his gratitude to the organisers and all speakers and participants.
Defining Excellence
Kholoud Al Ameeri, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Middle East, noted that this edition of the summit arrives at a time when scientific and technological transformations are accelerating, thereby shifting the standards of excellence in healthcare. From Abu Dhabi, the summit brings together expertise and visions that contribute to shaping these standards.
Highlights from the First Day
The first day of the summit saw the attendance of prominent figures, including Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Health Regulation at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, and Dr. Rashid Obaid Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, among others. The sessions featured health leaders like Khalid Ateeq Al Dhaheri, CEO of the National Health Insurance Company “Daman”, and Dr. Habiba Al Safar, Dean of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at Khalifa University.
Rapid Transformation in Healthcare
Shaista Asif, CEO of PureHealth, the official partner of the summit, confirmed that the sector is undergoing a rapid transformation driven by technological developments, notably in artificial intelligence. She articulated that the true value of AI lies beyond mere tools; it lies in facilitating a transformative shift to more personalised and proactive healthcare, aligned with the UAE’s ambitious and progressive vision.
Policy Discussions and National Ambitions
The summit sessions explored the UAE’s national ambitions to build the most advanced healthcare system, focusing on longevity sciences, precision health, genomics, and biomarkers for early diagnosis. Discussions also tackled chronic diseases, the role of insurance in access to care, and the impact of misinformation on social media in healthcare, alongside strategies to enhance public confidence. The “Doctors Corner” engaged in specialized clinical discussions covering robotic surgery applications, early detection AI, liver diseases, genetic risks, women’s health, breast cancer, mental health, paediatric surgery, and rare diseases.
Continuing Dialogue on Day Two
The summit continues on its second day with discussions on smart healthcare systems, artificial intelligence, robotics, connected health, biological, cellular, and gene therapies, healthcare economics, aesthetic medicine, clinical research, virtual care, and partnerships driving sustainable growth. Featured speakers included Dr. Issam Al Zarouni, Executive Director of Medical Services Sector at the Emirates Health Services, and Mohammed Haji Al Khouri, General Director of Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Works.
Event Partners
The summit is conducted in partnership with PureHealth, alongside sponsors such as Al Khayyat Investment, Apex Health, and Capital Health. Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City serves as the continuous medical education partner, and the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Works lends its support as a partner. The Emirates Medical Association is the scientific partner of the event.