News DeskDubai: WHX Labs, formerly known as Medlab Middle East, officially opened at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), marking a major milestone as the region’s premier medical laboratory exhibition celebrates 25 years of innovation in laboratory medicine.
The opening ceremony, held at the Al Multaqua Ballroom, was attended by prominent healthcare leaders, policymakers and industry stakeholders, highlighting the event’s global influence and Dubai’s growing role as a hub for healthcare innovation.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Peter Hall, President IMEA at Informa Markets, alongside Dr Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health and President of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Professor Alawi Al-Sheikh Ali, Director General of Dubai Health Authority. The leaders emphasized the Emirate’s ongoing commitment to advancing healthcare excellence and strengthening diagnostic capabilities.
Speaking at the ceremony, Hall described WHX Labs as the world’s largest dedicated laboratory exhibition, noting that the event has evolved over the past 25 years from a regional gathering into a global platform connecting thousands of professionals and driving innovation in diagnostics and laboratory services. He also highlighted Dubai’s strategic position as an international hub that facilitates collaboration between global healthcare stakeholders.
Held under the theme “25 Years of Laboratory Innovation: Uniting Communities for Better Health,” WHX Labs 2026 features 850 exhibitors spread across 40,000 square metres of exhibition space at DWTC. The event is being held alongside WHX, which opened earlier at Dubai Exhibition Centre, together forming the world’s largest healthcare event. Both exhibitions are expected to attract more than 270,000 healthcare professionals and 4,800 exhibitors representing over 180 countries.
Tom Coleman, Portfolio Director at Informa Markets, said the 25th edition reflects the growing importance of laboratory medicine in modern healthcare. He noted that bringing global expertise to Dubai creates opportunities for collaboration, technological advancement and improved patient care.
The exhibition showcases cutting-edge developments across eight key product sectors, including diagnostic tests, imaging and diagnostics, laboratory devices, equipment and instruments, disposables, reagents and chemicals, and healthcare services.
A major highlight of WHX Labs 2026 is the 25th Annual Laboratory Management and Medicine Congress, which features nine Continuing Medical Education (CME)-accredited scientific conference tracks. These tracks cover key disciplines such as laboratory management, haematology, clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, molecular diagnostics, histopathology, laboratory quality management, and blood transfusion medicine and cell therapy.
The Laboratory Management Track, chaired by Dr Laila AbdelWareth of the National Reference Laboratory and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, along with Dr Hiba Al Humaidan of Dubai Health, officially launched the congress. The opening keynote was delivered by Mark O’Brien of the Oxford Healthcare Leadership Programme at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, who addressed the importance of developing next-generation laboratory leaders.
Meanwhile, the Haematology Track explored advanced topics including genetic abnormalities in high-grade B-cell lymphoma, digital pathology in haematopathology practice, and translating laboratory findings into clinical treatments.
Another key highlight of the event will be the AMR Leaders’ Summit scheduled for February 12–13. Chaired by Dr Wael Elamin, Medical Director of Environmental Sciences at M42, the summit will focus on combating the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance by promoting collaboration between scientists, clinicians, policymakers and innovators.
WHX Labs 2026 will continue until February 13, spanning multiple halls at the Dubai World Trade Centre, including Halls 2-4, Al Multaqua Hall, Trade Centre Arena and Sheikh Saeed Halls 1-3, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global centre for healthcare innovation and scientific collaboration.
