The World Health Expo (WHX) 2026 officially opened on Monday at Dubai Expo City, reaffirming Dubai’s growing stature as a global centre for healthcare collaboration, innovation and trade. Formerly known as Arab Health, the event carries forward a legacy of over 50 years and remains one of the world’s largest and most influential healthcare exhibitions.
This year’s edition is expected to draw more than 235,000 healthcare professionals from over 180 countries, bringing together policymakers, healthcare leaders, manufacturers, investors and innovators. The expo serves as a critical platform for advancing global health outcomes through trade partnerships, knowledge exchange, investment flows and technological collaboration.
India is participating in WHX Dubai 2026 with a robust and highly visible industry presence, reflecting the country’s growing footprint in the global healthcare ecosystem. Indian companies and institutions are showcasing capabilities across pharmaceuticals, medical devices, healthcare services and health technologies.
Indian participation is being spearheaded by leading export and industry organisations, including:
PHARMEXCIL
ASSOCHAM
Together, these bodies represent 97 companies, comprising:
14 companies under EEPC India
56 companies under PHARMEXCIL
15 companies through FIEO
12 companies through ASSOCHAM
In addition, the Government of Kerala is participating with six companies, highlighting state-level engagement in global healthcare trade. Overall, around 400 Indian companies, including private exhibitors, are present at WHX Dubai 2026.
The India Pavilion, organised by IPHARMEXCIL under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, is a major attraction at the expo. The pavilion showcases India’s strengths in quality medicines, affordable healthcare solutions, innovation-led manufacturing and resilient supply chains.
Indian exporters at the pavilion are presenting a wide range of offerings, including:
Pharmaceutical formulations
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)
Biosimilars
Vaccines
Medical devices
Integrated healthcare solutions
These displays are aligned with national initiatives such as Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and India’s Healthcare Vision 2047, which aim to position India as a global healthcare manufacturing and innovation hub.
The India Pavilion was inaugurated by Satish Sivan, Consul General of India to Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
Commenting on the importance of the event, EEPC India Chairman Pankaj Chadha described WHX Dubai 2026 as “an unmissable exhibition uniting thousands of healthcare professionals under one roof to learn, trade and network.”
Meanwhile, EEPC India Vice Chairman Aakash Shah highlighted the rapid expansion of India’s medical devices industry, stating that India’s medical devices sector is among the fastest growing globally.
A high-level delegation of healthcare CEOs, led by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), also participated in WHX Dubai 2026. The delegation focused on strengthening international collaboration and exploring emerging technologies that are reshaping global healthcare delivery.
The delegation showcased and discussed advancements in:
Preventive and patient-centric healthcare models
Digital health platforms
AI-driven healthcare analytics
Organ perfusion technologies
Advanced and next-generation medical technologies
These areas closely align with India’s broader vision of building proactive, technology-enabled and patient-focused healthcare systems.
India’s strong presence at WHX Dubai 2026 reflects its rising importance in the global healthcare value chain. With its reputation for cost-effective, high-quality medicines, expanding medical devices manufacturing, and growing digital health capabilities, India is increasingly seen as a reliable partner for global healthcare systems.
The event also comes at a time when global healthcare supply chains are being re-evaluated, further strengthening India’s positioning as a trusted and scalable healthcare supplier.
WHX Dubai 2026 has emerged as a key platform showcasing India’s expanding influence in global healthcare. With around 400 Indian companies, strong participation from industry bodies, and a focus on innovation-driven healthcare solutions, India is reinforcing its role as a global healthcare powerhouse. As international demand for affordable, high-quality and technology-enabled healthcare grows, India’s presence at WHX Dubai highlights its readiness to lead and collaborate on the future of global health.