In 2025, Burjeel marked milestones from pioneering AI-powered dentistry to performing the country’s youngest infant liver transplant, while expanding complex care networks and advancing medical research.  

In this interview with Gulf Business, Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, chairman and CEO, Burjeel Holdings, envisions a shift from treating illness to managing wellness and longevity, with AI, remote monitoring, and multidisciplinary expertise reshaping patient expectations and care delivery across the region.

How do you assess the healthcare landscape in 2025, and what key shifts do you anticipate as the sector moves into 2026?

The year 2025 saw healthcare accelerating digital adoption and embracing artificial intelligence for enhanced diagnostics, operations and patient care. From electronic medical records (EMR) and robotic surgeries to AI models for patient interaction, both caregivers and patients benefited from this evolution. While technology allowed clinicians to spend more time with patients and democratised care beyond borders, it also empowered patients with valuable information. Personalised and precision care became more prevalent. There were breakthroughs in complex care, mental health, remote care and medical research.

As we move into 2026, I believe healthcare will move from the concept of sickness to wellness and longevity because chronic and lifestyle diseases are increasing and require continuous management. Care will be delivered through systems, not just through individual brilliance. The focus will shift from volume to value, from hospital-only care to extended care, and from intuition-only to insight-supported care. The care journey will become more connected, with AI-assisted tools supporting decision-making and reducing variation.

Which treatments and medical innovations are expected to gain the most traction in 2026, and what will drive their adoption?

A set of advanced and technology-driven therapies is expected to gain major traction in 2026. As mentioned earlier, AI-powered diagnostics will expand rapidly as healthcare institutions adopt tools that speed up imaging analysis and improve triage. Complex care, including oncology, cardiology, neurology, and transplants, will continue to remain a focal point, with innovation as the anchor. Precision medicine and cell and gene therapies will continue to grow as genetic insights play a crucial role throughout the patient journey.

At the same time, remote monitoring and home-based treatment will become more common as patients look for convenience and health systems work to manage chronic diseases more proactively. Mental health digital therapeutics will also gain traction as people seek accessible, tech-enabled support. Altogether, these trends signal a clear shift toward healthcare that is more personalised, predictive, and connected than what we have seen before.

How are patient expectations evolving across the region, and how is this influencing the way healthcare providers design and deliver care?

Patients no longer see healthcare as a series of isolated appointments. They want continuity, coordination, and systems that understand them at every interaction, regardless of speciality, facility, or stage of care. This is where integrated care models and platform-based thinking, where information, expertise, and workflows flow smoothly across the system rather than sitting in one department, become significant. Individual clinical excellence still matters, but it must translate into coordinated, empathetic, and consistent care that feels unified from start to finish.

It is time for healthcare institutions to rethink everything from digital infrastructure to care pathways to ensure they can deliver experiences that are not only clinically strong but also connected, human and outcome-driven.

What were the most significant operational or clinical milestones for Burjeel in 2025, and what key lessons will shape your priorities for the year ahead?

The year marked scale and responsibility for us. Burjeel achieved several operational and clinical milestones, including performing the UAE’s youngest infant liver transplant, advancing diabetes research in space, becoming a regional model for managing rare and inherited diseases, expanding robotic surgery programmes, and implementing a smart, future-ready EMR platform to strengthen workflows and care coordination.

We also extended our cancer care network into new geographies, introduced robotics and AI-powered dentistry to the UAE, and expanded our medical education programmes to nurture the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Going forward, we remain focused on scaling with substance, strengthening complex care specialities, and expanding selectively with clear ROI gates.

How do partnerships support Burjeel’s long-term vision and strengthen its regional leadership?

Partnerships enable us to take care beyond borders, bring world-class care to the UAE, and reach communities faster. By collaborating with global centres of excellence, research institutions, and technology leaders, we can introduce new capabilities, strengthen our complex care programmes, expand access to advanced diagnostics and therapeutics, and create avenues for knowledge exchange. All of this helps raise clinical standards across the region. Partnerships also support our commitment to talent development by opening doors for training, fellowships, and joint academic programmes that build a stronger, future-ready workforce.

Which specialties are emerging as key growth drivers in 2026?

Complex care specialties such as oncology, rare and inherited diseases, and cardiology will continue to be major growth drivers as we move into 2026. They will be supported by rising demand for advanced diagnostics, precision therapeutics, and multidisciplinary care. Pediatrics is another area gaining momentum, particularly in high-acuity care and complex interventions.

Our focus is on being a boutique of excellence, not a supermarket of services, and on contributing to broader economic growth. We are in a defining moment where we want to transform care delivery by prioritising depth, quality, and specialisation rather than breadth alone. The goal is to put the UAE on the global map as a hub for complex and highly specialised care.

Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, Minister of State and chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), officially launched the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) at the World Health Expo in Dubai (WHX).

The launch was attended by Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention, Fatima Al Kaabi, DG of the Establishment, and senior officials from the health sector.

The establishment signals a new phase in the regulation and development of the pharmaceutical and medical sector in the UAE, with a focus on strengthening institutional coordination to advance national strategic objectives, the state news agency, WAM, reported.

During a tour of the establishment’s platform at the “Emirates Health” Pavilion, Al Hajeri reviewed national projects aimed at strengthening pharmaceutical security, supporting innovation, advancing the national pharmaceutical model, and ensuring the sustainability of medical products.

The projects on display are designed to enhance the UAE’s pharmaceutical industrial capacity and competitiveness, while encouraging specialised research and development of medical products within the country.

Holistic National Manufacturing Project unveiled by Emirates Drug Establishment

The establishment also unveiled its Holistic National Manufacturing Project, a strategic initiative aimed at developing the national pharmaceutical ecosystem, strengthening manufacturing capabilities, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of medical product supply chains across the UAE.

The project provides a national framework for localising the production of advanced medicines and human medical products, as well as veterinary, agricultural products, agricultural inputs and fertilisers, under a unified system integrating regulation, manufacturing, oversight and quality control.

It supports the “One Health” approach, linking human, animal and environmental health, and prioritises the development of an integrated industrial infrastructure across the pharmaceutical value chain, from active ingredients and raw materials to manufacturing, packaging, storage and distribution, in line with internationally recognised regulatory standards.

Dr Ruqaya Al Bastaki of the Medical Products Regulation Sector (EDE) said the integrated manufacturing project aligns regulatory and industrial efforts while promoting domestic production to international standards.

“It ensures continuity in supply chains and boosts the overall efficiency of the national pharmaceutical ecosystem,” she said.

Al Bastaki said the project would strengthen manufacturing capacity, improve supply chain resilience and ensure the sustainable availability of medical products, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a regional and global hub for advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Emirates Drug Establishment said the project forms part of a broader package of national initiatives aimed at bolstering pharmaceutical security, supporting the localisation of vital industries and building a sustainable national pharmaceutical system.

To date, the establishment has licensed 37 facilities for the production of human pharmaceutical and medical products.

As healthcare systems across the GCC confront rising demand, supply-chain pressure, and the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, life sciences companies are being pushed to deliver both innovation and execution.

Here, Mansoor Meenai, GM for META at Arcera, outlines how the company is positioning itself across hospital-based therapies and consumer health, with a focus on responsible antibiotic use, regional manufacturing, and translating science into real-world access.

What are you displaying at WHX in Dubai 2026?

At World Health Expo Dubai 2026, we are showcasing Arcera’s broader role in strengthening healthcare systems across the region, from addressing critical unmet medical needs to expanding access to trusted self-care solutions.

On the speciality side, we are highlighting a breakthrough intravenous antibiotic approach that represents a meaningful step forward in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. This innovation offers a carbapenem-sparing option, enabling clinicians to treat serious resistant infections effectively while reducing reliance on last-line antibiotics that must be preserved for the most critical cases. In doing so, it directly supports national antimicrobial stewardship programs and long-term healthcare resilience.

We have moved with focus and discipline to ensure strong launch execution across the GCC, recognising that addressing antibiotic resistance is a critical priority for sustainable healthcare systems.

Beyond hospital-based innovation, WHX also reflects our commitment to enhancing everyday health. As part of our mission to improve patient and consumer access to high-quality care, we are advancing a strong consumer healthcare portfolio that empowers individuals to take charge of their health through trusted, science-backed self-care solutions.

Across everything we do, quality, reliability, and consumer-first design remain central. WHX 2026 is an opportunity to demonstrate how Arcera is redefining access to care, across acute treatment and self-care alike, by delivering trusted innovation that strengthens health systems and improves lives.

Read: AI, prevention and policy alignment take focus at WHX in Dubai

What are some of the anticipated trends for 2026?

In 2026, healthcare systems across the region and globally are facing a combination of rising demand and growing complexity, from regulation and supply chains to evolving patient needs.

This year, we expect continued demand for high-quality medicines across both emerging and developed markets, alongside increasing complexity in regulation, supply chains, and patient needs.

One trend that is especially clear in the GCC is the focus on strengthening local and regional manufacturing. Governments are prioritising supply-chain resilience for essential medicines, reducing reliance on long global routes, and ensuring continuity of care, particularly for chronic and critical conditions.

Another important area of focus is antimicrobial resistance. The World Health Organization continues to recognise antimicrobial resistance (AMR)as a significant global health challenge. In response, healthcare systems are increasingly seeking treatment approaches that support responsible antibiotic use while maintaining effective patient outcomes.

At the same time, healthcare is becoming more data-driven and digitally enabled, with advanced analytics and AI influencing how medicines are developed, manufactured, and delivered.

Taken together, these trends point to a broader shift toward healthcare systems that are more resilient, adaptive, and future-ready, and to the growing importance of long-term partnerships between industry, governments, and healthcare stakeholders.

Any key innovations and technologies to look out for in 2026?

Innovation in 2026 will be defined not just by scientific advances, but by how effectively those advances are translated into real-world patient access, particularly in fast-evolving regions such as the GCC.

One of the most critical areas of innovation remains AMR. As resistance to standard antibiotics continues to rise, healthcare systems across the region are seeking treatment approaches that preserve last-line therapies while maintaining clinical effectiveness. Beyond infectious diseases, neuroscience is emerging as another important innovation frontier. As populations age and the prevalence of neurological conditions increases, the need for new, effective therapies will continue to grow.

From a technology perspective, the integration of digital tools and advanced analytics across the healthcare value chain is accelerating, improving efficiency, reliability, and decision-making from development
and manufacturing through to engagement with healthcare professionals.

At the same time, innovation is also taking place in how people manage their everyday health. High-quality, science-led consumer health solutions are playing an increasingly important role in empowering individuals, supporting self-care, and helping healthcare systems focus resources where they are needed most.

In this context, Arcera’s role is to translate innovation into access, working across the GCC and selected global markets as a strategic partner aligned with long-term public-health priorities.

How do you see growth in the industry?

The life sciences sector is undergoing strong and sustained growth across the Middle East and the GCC. We are seeing accelerating healthcare investment, expanding infrastructure and a clear government focus on access, quality, and long-term sustainability.

At the same time, regulatory frameworks are becoming more sophisticated, with rising expectations around manufacturing standards, pharmacovigilance, and compliance.

Across the region, this creates not only significant growth opportunities but also the conditions needed to build healthcare systems that are more resilient, reliable, and capable of meeting future patient needs.

What are your plans and the way forward?

Arcera was created to build a future-ready global life sciences enterprise — relevant to healthcare systems around the world.

As we look ahead, our priorities are clear. We will continue to scale our enterprise while deepening innovation, scientifically, digitally, and operationally.

We are investing in advanced therapies, resilient manufacturing, and next-generation capabilities that enable us to deliver high-quality medicines reliably, at scale, and across diverse markets.

We also strongly support the UAE’s ambition to strengthen local pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Today, over 40 per cent of our UAE portfolio is produced locally, enhancing national health security, reducing supply-chain risk, and enabling faster response to changing patient needs.

This balance between global scale and strong local execution is central to building healthcare systems that are resilient today and adaptable for the future.

Looking ahead, we will continue to expand long-term partnerships across government, academia, and industry.

Above all, we remain focused on the needs of patients and healthcare professionals.

Arcera is being built not just to grow, but to endure, as a trusted partner contributing to sustainable progress in global healthcare.

The World Health Expo (WHX) 2026 officially opened on Monday at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai, bringing together global health leaders, policymakers, innovators, and institutions to explore the future of healthcare delivery.

Among the event’s most prominent national showcases is the UAE’s Emirates Health platform, led by the Ministry of Health and Prevention in collaboration with federal and emirate-level health authorities.

Read more-AI, prevention and policy alignment take focus at WHX in Dubai

Through this unified national platform, UAE health authorities are demonstrating how policy, regulation, and innovation are being applied at scale to strengthen population health, reinforce national resilience, and position healthcare as a strategic national priority. According to a report by the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the platform reflects the government’s long-term commitment to building the health of a nation through prevention, preparedness, and responsible innovation.

The Emirates Health platform brings together federal and local health authorities under a shared national vision focused on delivering longer, healthier lives, enhancing quality of life, and supporting sustainable social and economic development.

Healthcare framed as a shared national responsibility

Throughout the exhibition, participating authorities are emphasising healthcare as a collective national responsibility rather than a standalone sector. This unified presence underscores how leadership, regulation, and service delivery work in tandem to protect population health and improve outcomes across the country.

The approach aligns closely with key national strategies, including We the UAE 2031 and the UAE Centennial 2071, both of which place health, wellbeing, and resilience at the core of national development.

Participating under the Emirates Health platform are the Ministry of Health and Prevention, the Emirates Drug Establishment, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, the Dubai Health Authority, the Sharjah Health Authority, and the Emirates Council for Integrative Medicine. While each authority operates within its specific mandate, together they present a coordinated model of governance and delivery focused on shared priorities.

Coordination, data, and innovation at the heart of the model

A central theme of the Emirates Health showcase is the role of coordination across authorities in enabling more effective planning, stronger partnerships, and improved decision-making at local, regional, and global levels. Innovation, digital transformation, and data-driven insights are positioned as tools that serve public health objectives rather than ends in themselves.

Among the national initiatives being presented is the Enterprise Data Warehouse and Disease Registry (Bayan), which integrates health data from both public and private sectors to support evidence-based policymaking, predictive analytics, and long-term health planning.

The platform also features the Health Policy and Legislation Smart Platform, designed to enable agile and forward-looking health regulation, as well as an AI-powered Behavioural Insights Platform that supports preventive health policies through advanced behavioural analysis.

Advancing clinical innovation and life-saving capabilities

Within the broader national health framework, clinical innovation is also receiving significant attention. Among the highlighted advancements are advanced organ perfusion technologies, which extend organ viability and expand opportunities for transplantation.

These developments reflect the work of the National Programme for Donation and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissue (Hayat), reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to saving lives while strengthening regional and international cooperation in organ donation and transplantation.

Leadership voices underline national commitment

Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention, said that building the health of nations remains one of the government’s most fundamental responsibilities.

“Building the health of nations is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of government,” he said. “The UAE continues to advance its focus on prevention, early action, and protecting population health. Our priority is strengthening preparedness, applying innovation responsibly, and enabling longer, healthier lives. Through World Health Expo 2026, we are articulating how national vision is translated into real impact through policy, regulation, data, and partnerships that put people first.”

Integrative medicine bridges heritage and modern science

Sheikha Salama bint Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, chairperson of the UAE Integrative Medicine Council, highlighted the UAE’s approach to blending traditional practices with modern, evidence-based medicine.

“The UAE is pioneering a new era of global healthcare by bridging our rich Emirati heritage and traditional practices with modern medicine, grounded in an evidence-based health approach,” she said.

She added that the Council’s participation at WHX Dubai 2026 reflects its commitment to developing a balanced and inclusive healthcare system.

“Through the participation of the UAE Integrative Medicine Council at World Health Expo (WHX) Dubai 2026, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to developing a balanced healthcare system, one that builds new capabilities and specialisations, strengthens research and collaboration with partners and stakeholders, and expands access to diverse treatment options,” she said. “This approach reinforces the UAE’s position as a leading global destination for comprehensive, sustainable healthcare.”

Abu Dhabi’s connected health system model

Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, described health in the emirate as a connected system designed to serve people seamlessly.

“In Abu Dhabi, health is designed as a connected system, an integrated intelligent infrastructure that works quietly in the background of daily life, bringing intelligence, data, and care together to serve people first,” he said.

“At World Health Expo 2026, the UAE presents this approach as a unified national model, highlighting how prevention-led thinking delivers sustainable impact for communities. Through collective action and collaborative, technology-enabled efforts, this model continues to enhance efficiency and resilience, empowering communities to enjoy longer, healthier lives.”

Strengthening drug security and pharmaceutical governance

Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, director-general of the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), said the Establishment’s participation under the unified Emirates Health pavilion reflects a strategic commitment to strengthening the UAE’s healthcare and pharmaceutical ecosystem.

She stressed that the initiative also reinforces the country’s vision of drug security as a cornerstone of sustainable healthcare.

During the event, she said the EDE would highlight its role in regulating and developing the pharmaceutical sector in line with the highest international standards through innovative initiatives and high-impact projects.

“The Establishment will also strengthen integration with health and regulatory authorities at both the local and international levels, thereby supporting prevention efforts, enhancing health readiness, and contributing to improved quality of life, in line with the objectives of ‘We the UAE 2031’ and the UAE Centennial 2071,” she said.

Dr Al Kaabi added that the UAE has built an advanced and sustainable healthcare system supported by national talent, cutting-edge infrastructure, and strong international partnerships. She noted that the EDE will continue to modernise legislative frameworks, develop policies, and enable strategic partnerships to enhance efficiency, improve customer experience, and reinforce the UAE’s position as a global benchmark for effective health governance.

Dubai and Sharjah highlight sector development

Dr Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, director-general of the Dubai Health Authority, said WHX 2026 represents a key milestone in the ongoing development of the healthcare sector.

“The event brings together leading health leaders, experts, decision-makers, and innovators under one roof in Dubai,” he said, describing it as a global platform for emerging technologies and smart solutions shaping the future of healthcare.

Dr Abdulaziz Saeed Al Muhairi, chairman of the Sharjah Health Authority, said the authority’s participation marks its first involvement in such a global forum. He described the event as a significant step in strengthening its institutional presence and showcasing its healthcare services and community initiatives.

Global engagement and collaboration

Beyond national showcases, World Health Expo 2026 serves as a hub for international engagement and collaboration. UAE health authorities are participating in policy dialogues, workshops, and knowledge-exchange sessions addressing topics such as genomics, behavioural insights, medical liability, and health adaptation.

Several agreements are also being signed with local and international entities to advance cooperation and support the continued development of healthcare services.

World Health Expo 2026 brings together more than 4,300 exhibitors from over 180 countries, along with hundreds of international experts and speakers, reinforcing its position as a global forum for dialogue on healthcare innovation, emerging technologies, and policy collaboration.

Dubai Land Department (DLD) said on Monday it will launch Phase II of its Real Estate Tokenisation Project, allowing resale of tokenised properties in the secondary market from February 20.

The move marks a transition from the pilot phase of the initiative to a more advanced operational stage, within a regulated framework designed to enhance market readiness for technology-driven real estate transactions.

“The Real Estate Tokenisation Project serves as a key enabler of the objectives of the Dubai Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033, which focuses on strengthening market balance, enhancing transparency, enabling technology, and delivering an integrated investment experience. This contributes to increasing the real estate sector’s share of Dubai’s GDP and reinforces the emirate’s position as a leading global hub for real estate investment, in alignment with the objectives of the UAE Vision 2071, aimed at consolidating global leadership and building a sustainable future economy,” DLD said in a statement.

DLD is the first real estate registration authority in the region to adopt the model

The pilot phase, launched in March under the “REES Real Estate Innovation Initiative” in partnership with the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and other strategic partners, tested the regulatory, legislative, and technical frameworks for real estate tokenisation using title deeds.

DLD said this reinforced Dubai’s position as the first real estate registration authority in the region to adopt such a model under regulation.

Phase II will allow the resale of around 7.8 million real estate tokens in a controlled pilot framework.

The department said the phase aims to assess market efficiency, test operational readiness, improve transparency and governance, and safeguard investors’ rights while ensuring transaction integrity.

DLD said the rollout will follow a gradual approach based on practical evaluation of outcomes and in coordination with relevant regulatory authorities, to support future decisions grounded in operational data.

“The approach ensures alignment with approved regulatory and legislative frameworks and strengthens confidence among local and international investors,” the department said.