Overview
The UAE medical devices market is the largest in the GCC, supported by extensive healthcare infrastructure investment, high per-capita health spending, and the country’s role as a medical tourism destination. The market encompasses diagnostic imaging, surgical instruments, orthopaedic implants, in-vitro diagnostics (IVD), dental equipment, and a rapidly growing segment in connected health and wearable medical devices. While the UAE remains heavily dependent on imports for advanced medical technology, domestic assembly and manufacturing are expanding through government-backed industrial programmes.
Market Size & Growth
Strong demand from both public and private healthcare providers sustains consistent growth in the medical devices sector.
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Market Size (2025 est.) | $2.1 billion | Including consumables and capital equipment |
| Projected Size (2030) | $3.4 billion | CAGR of approximately 10% |
| Import Dependence | ~90% | Majority from US, Germany, Japan, China |
| Number of Hospitals | 180+ | Public and private combined |
| Medical Tourism Revenue | $1.2 billion | Key driver of device demand |
Key Players
The market is dominated by multinational distributors and manufacturers. Medtronic, Siemens Healthineers, GE HealthCare, Philips, Abbott, and Johnson & Johnson all maintain significant UAE operations. Local distribution is handled by major groups including Al Futtaim Health, Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, and Gulf Drug. On the domestic manufacturing side, companies such as Masafi Medical and emerging med-tech startups in free zones like Dubai Healthcare City and Abu Dhabi Global Market are beginning to produce consumables, diagnostic kits, and lower-complexity devices locally.
Regulatory Environment
Medical device regulation in the UAE follows a risk-based classification system aligned with the Global Harmonization Task Force (GHTF) framework. The MoHAP Medical Devices Department oversees device registration at the federal level, requiring conformity assessment documentation, clinical evidence, and post-market surveillance plans. The UAE has streamlined its registration process with the introduction of the Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS) and mutual recognition arrangements with international regulatory bodies. The regulatory framework increasingly demands unique device identification (UDI) compliance and electronic registration through the MoHAP digital platform.
Vision 2031 Alignment
The We the UAE 2031 strategy prioritises healthcare excellence and industrial self-sufficiency. The medical devices sector aligns with both objectives through the Emirati Industrial Strategy (Operation 300bn), which targets expansion of advanced manufacturing including medical technology. The strategy envisions the UAE becoming a regional hub for med-tech innovation, combining world-class clinical infrastructure with R&D capabilities in areas such as robotic surgery systems, AI-powered diagnostics, and 3D-printed prosthetics.
Investment Opportunities
Key opportunities include establishing assembly and manufacturing operations for high-demand consumables such as syringes, wound care products, and diagnostic test kits. Higher-value opportunities exist in connected health devices (remote patient monitoring, wearable sensors), AI-enabled diagnostic imaging software, and point-of-care testing platforms. The UAE offers free zone incentives, 100 percent foreign ownership, and co-investment programmes through ADIO and the Dubai Future Foundation for med-tech ventures establishing regional headquarters or manufacturing bases.