Upcoming Trade Shows Dubai, UAE for Laboratory

Dubai’s healthcare industry has reoriented itself towards preventative care in response to the mostly sedentary lifestyle of its citizens, which has led to a boom of innovation and investment in the city’s clinical laboratory industry. Laboratories are the first point in diagnosing, monitoring and managing diseases, as well as in supporting healthcare providers’ decision-making. Laboratory services in the UAE are classified broadly into pathology testing and imaging laboratory services. In Dubai alone, the Dubai Health Authority’s (DHA) Pathology and Genetics Department conducted over 6.6 million lab tests in 2019. The number has considerably risen in the following years, laying the foundation for a fast-paced expansion of the clinical laboratory industry in Dubai. Dr. Hussain Al Samt, Director of DHA’s Pathology & Genetics Department, emphasised that laboratory test results influence 70% of all medical decisions. As part of its strategic goals, DHA aims to position Dubai as a global leader in world-class diagnostic testing. The UAE is home to both national and international big names in the clinical laboratory sector. The National Reference Laboratory (NRL), a Mubadala Healthcare Provider entity, is a prime example. With an annual testing volume of over 7.5 million tests, 98% of which are conducted in-house, NRL has effectively reduced turnaround times and minimised logistics costs while maintaining high standards in laboratory diagnostics. International entrants are also reshaping the landscape. Swiss diagnostics provider Unilabs recently opened a new branch in Abu Dhabi, equipped to process up to 80,000 daily PCR tests. Unilabs’ presence reflects the UAE’s increasing capacity for large-scale, high-demand testing—crucial as the region continues to manage healthcare challenges and strengthen its preparedness for future public health needs.