The 2026 World Health Expo (WHX) Dubai came to an end, which has grown into the world’s biggest and most influential healthcare exhibition in the last 50 years. This year’s event took place in a fresh environment, with a new image, and was followed by record-breaking professional interest, due to which the Hungarian participants could once again prove why they belong in the cutting edge of global healthcare advancements.
The first event, held in 1975, was called „Arab Health”, however, this year it returned as World Health Expo (WHX) Dubai. Besides focusing on medical technology, a big role was dedicated to digital healthcare, artificial intelligence, telemedicine, hospital infrastructure, pharmaceutical innovation and international trends, while a significant forum was opened for technological breakthroughs and policy dialogues as well.
The events hosted between 9-12 February 2026, contrary to previous ones, took place in the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), where Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai, opened the program himself.
(The Hungarian national stand coordinated by HEPA)
4.300 exhibitors and 235.000 guests attended the event from over 180 countries, and with the WHX Labs side event participants, over 270.000 attendees were counted altogether during the 3 days long expo. This brought the total number of exhibitors to more than 4.800 and the program featured over 300 speakers.
The novelties of the Hungarian healthcare industry received remarkable attention this year as well. The 126 m² national stand, coordinated by HEPA Hungarian Export Promotion Agency (HEPA) provided unified appearance for 12 companies and their 27 representatives. The attendees showcased an exceptionally wide portfolio of the national sector, including the modern X-ray systems, radiochemical developments and medical implants.
The exhibitors of the Hungarian national stand:
CELITRON Medical Technologies Kft.: Sterilization and bio waste treatment systems
CONTROL X Medical Zrt.: Diagnostic imaging systems, X-ray systems
Gyógylézer Család Kft.: Medical and home laser devices
IZOTÓP INTÉZET Kft.: Radioactive isotopes, radiochemical products, nuclear health services
Kéri Pharma Hungary Kft.: Pharmaceutical marketing and distribution
LABTECH Kft.: Laboratory tools, engineering services
Medimetál Kft.: Metal-based medical implants and surgical instrument sets
Mediso Kft.: Nuclear medicine and hybrid imaging systems
OncoTherm Kft.: Hyperthermia-based tumor therapy technologies
Patella Medical Kft.: Medical technology developments and distribution
Penta Pharma Zrt.: Wholesale of medical products and medicines
Sanatmetal Kft.: Orthopedic and traumatological implants, surgical instruments
The Hungarian innovations were recognized not only by the United Arab Emirates, but the whole of the GCC region. The companies conducted more than 600 relevant negotiations, which resulted over 6-million-euro worthy export transactions for the following year. In addition, four other Hungarian companies participated in the exhibition independently: Lara System Ltd., Medicor Elektronikai Zrt., Mediox Kft. and Trademedix Kft.
(Representatives of HEPA and exhibitors at the Hungarian stand)
WHX is also one of the region’s most important international business hubs. Through negotiations between manufacturers, distributors, healthcare institution decision-makers, investors and public procurement experts, the event generated approximately 2.57 billion USD in business transactions last year. As a result, the event remains a key gateway to the rapidly expanding markets of the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, where there is a continuous demand for new distributors and professional partners.
Simultaneously with the exhibition a rich, 3 days long conference program took place, which covered many topics, including regulatory issues, development directions, health policy topics and investment opportunities. This year the WHX could once again work as a knowledge center, a business forum and a future-shaping innovation platform.