Healthcare events in the UAE 2026–27: WHX Dubai, AEEDC and how to choose

The UAE's healthcare calendar peaks in the second half of January, when AEEDC Dubai and WHX Dubai run in back-to-back weeks. A second, smaller peak follows from late March to early May, when specialist congresses for pharmacy, dermatology, radiology and emergency care run at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Abu Dhabi adds an autumn cluster at ADNEC Centre in October and November. atndr lists 20 upcoming UAE healthcare events as of October 2026; the table picks the main ones.

Dates are the official editions as published in October 2026. The always-current list is on the UAE healthcare events page.

World Health Expo (WHX) Dubai 2027 is the UAE's largest healthcare trade show and the event formerly called Arab Health. The 2027 edition runs 25–28 January, organized by Informa Markets. It is split across two venues, Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City and Dubai World Trade Centre, and one ticket covers both.

The organizer's 2027 page cites 4,200+ exhibitors, 195+ countries, 90,000+ healthcare professionals and 235,000+ professional visits. Expo City hosts the international halls, devices, imaging, orthopaedics and IT. DWTC hosts the Labs zone, Wellness & Longevity, Pharma & Biotech, disposables and WHX Tech.

CME-accredited sessions (continuing medical education hours that count towards licence renewal) run on the Care Delivery, Radiology and Labs stages. Doors open 11:00–18:00 on Monday 25 January, 10:00–18:00 on Tuesday and Wednesday, and 10:00–17:00 on Thursday.

Best for: hospital procurement teams, distributors, device and pharma suppliers, lab managers and clinicians who want CME.

WHX Tech 2027 (26–28 January, DWTC) is the digital health strand, with 5,000+ attendees and 200+ speakers expected. WHX Leaders (26 January) is an invitation-only forum for health ministers and health system CEOs.

AEEDC Dubai 2027 is the UAE International Dental Conference and Arab Dental Exhibition, built for the whole dental trade: dentists, specialists, hygienists, technicians, clinic owners and suppliers. The 2027 edition runs 19–21 January at Dubai World Trade Centre, open 10:00–19:00 each day. It is organized by INDEX Conferences & Exhibitions.

The 2026 edition (the 30th) reported more than 80,000 visitors and participants from 192 countries and 4,316 exhibiting companies. AEEDC has three parts:

1. Conferences. The main AEEDC Dubai Conference, the World Orthodontic Conference and the World Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Conference carry CME points.
2. Exhibition. Six halls covering equipment, sterilisation, disposables and oral care. Exhibition-only registration earns no CME.
3. Dental Business Hub. Pre-scheduled B2B meetings between senior buyers and suppliers.

For 2027, AEEDC also launches Dubai Dental Week, a city-wide programme scheduled for 16–22 January 2027 around the show.

Best for: dental professionals who want accredited education, and dental suppliers looking for international buyers.

Outside January, the UAE calendar is mostly specialist. Abu Dhabi's events sit in the autumn, and Dubai's specialist congresses in spring.

Rehabilitation buyers have AccessAbilities Expo 2026, and natural health products have the Middle East Organic and Natural Products Expo 2026 (16–18 November 2026). Dermatology has a second congress later in 2027: MEIDAM Dubai 2027 (14–16 October 2027).

If you work across the Gulf, compare the UAE's January peak with Riyadh's autumn season. Global Health Exhibition 2026 runs 26–29 October 2026 at Malham, and atndr's guide to healthcare events in Saudi Arabia covers the Saudi calendar.

Some UAE healthcare shows charge even for the floor: WHX Dubai has no free visitor pass for 2027, while ARABLAB is free. Conference passes with CME cost more, and many are priced by profession. Prices below are from the official sites and exclude 5% UAE VAT where the organizer says so.

WHX says its prices are going up soon, and EPOMEC charges more onsite. DWTC does not admit visitors under 18 to AEEDC's exhibition. For the spring congresses, check each registration page; most price by profession. For how free trade passes work, see how to get a free trade show visitor pass.

Start from what you need to leave with, then filter.

1. Credits or contracts. Accredited education points to a congress or a CME pass: AEEDC's conferences, EPOMEC, DUPHAT, or a WHX Platinum ticket. Suppliers, distributors and buyers point to the exhibition floors.
2. Your specialty. Dentistry has AEEDC, eye care has EPOMEC, pharmacy has DUPHAT, and radiology has the Annual Radiology Meeting. WHX covers the rest of the hospital.
3. The right pass. At WHX a Standard ticket does not include the accredited conferences. At AEEDC the exhibition registration carries no CME. Check what your ticket covers before you pay.
4. The venue. WHX 2027 uses two venues. Plan which days you spend at Expo City and which at DWTC.
5. January hotels. AEEDC, Dubai Dental Week, WHX and WHX Tech fill the second half of January 2027. Book rooms near DWTC or Expo City early.
6. Registration and visas. Register online before you travel. EPOMEC offers invitation letters for visas.

See also the guides to business events in Dubai and business events in Abu Dhabi.