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The ABHI UK Pavilion was back in full force at Arab Health 2022 – the leading healthcare exhibition in the Middle East – with over 100 UK HealthTech companies showcasing the strengths of the sector.

New to 2022, ABHI – the industry association for the health technology sector in the UK – and the Department for International Trade (DIT) combined programmes to host one central stand – the UK Pavilion stand at Arab Health. Together, the two organisations provided support for UK companies in their international strategies for the MENA markets.

Highlights included a series of live lectures, fireside chats from global leaders, and surgical simulations courtesy of some of the UK's top surgeons, as well as an opening address by Simon Penney, Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for the Middle East and Her Majesty’s Consul General to Dubai, who discussed the role of HealthTech in advancing trade with the region. 

Paul Benton, Managing Director, International, ABHI commented: “Given the postponement to much of the international events calendar over the past two years, it was a pleasure to return to Dubai's exhibition halls in January. We had world-first events taking place on the combined ABHI and DIT booth, and exciting sessions from world-class expert speakers including industry CEO's, renowned surgeons and even an astronaut. The UK is a global leader in healthcare innovation and it was fantastic to be back with such a strong UK delegation.”

With over 100 exhibitors waving the UK flag for innovation, the ABHI UK Pavilion – which remains one of the biggest national pavilions at the show – boasts an array of innovative technologies and services, with product showcases and launches highlighting how UK developments are transforming the lives of patients and clinicians across the globe. 

Key highlights this year included a lecture by renowned surgeon Professor Shafi Ahmed, who, in an exhibition world first, explored the capabilities of the metaverse, and how it has the potential to shape the future of surgical education.

Audiences were also privy to a fireside chat between Professor Shafi Ahmed, former NASA astronaut Scott Parazynski and Henry Pinchbeck, CEO and Co-Founder of 3D LifePrints, for a discussion on the future of healthcare, space and 3D printing, and how extreme environments drive innovation.

On the ABHI’s state-of-the-art simulated operating theatre – a flagship of the UK Pavilion – a number of live surgical procedures were demonstrated, including a right RATS (robotic assisted thoracic surgery) lower lobectomy and lymph node dissection procedure, which was performed by Tom Routledge, a Consultant Thoracic Surgeon at Guy's and St Thomas Hospital in London.

Joining ABHI were a group of national partners, including the AHSN Network, Invest Northern Ireland and Welsh Government, with this year’s programme praised by speakers and visitors, and feedback from exhibitors on the show equally positive. As such, places on the ABHI UK Pavilion at next year’s Arab Health are already filling up fast.

Adrian Javes, Sales Director of UK HealthTech company P3 Medical commented: “P3 medical were delighted to exhibit on the ABHI UK Pavilion this year. It was a fantastic opportunity for us to meet our existing partners and suppliers face-to-face and also a chance to network and engage with our peers. The UK Pavilion allows us, as an SME, to capitalise on the buzz and energy that surrounds the pavilion. The event was such a success that we immediately took the opportunity, during the show, to rebook for 2023. We are very excited at the prospect of an even more successful show in 2023!"

The waiting list to join the ABHI UK Pavilion at Arab Health 2023 is now open, with companies able to benefit from ABHI’s wide-reaching marketing and PR activities along with Government support and advice via the UK’s Department for International Trade.

For more information on how to join, visit: https://www.abhi.org.uk/international/arab-health-2023/