Opening Ceremony
MedHealth Riyadh 2026 will kick off with a prestigious Opening Ceremony, setting the stage for an event that will shape the future of healthcare. This highly anticipated ceremony will bring together distinguished leaders, policymakers, healthcare pioneers, and professionals from across the region and beyond. It will showcase insightful keynote addresses and inspirational remarks from esteemed dignitaries, marking the beginning of an event filled with groundbreaking discussions and unparalleled networking opportunities.
As we embark on this 26th edition of the Arab Hospitals Federation’s flagship event, the Opening Ceremony will reinforce our commitment to advancing healthcare accessibility, quality, and sustainability.
ACCESS UNLOCKED:
MINISTERIAL STRATEGIES DRIVING THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE
This high-level session will bring together Ministers of Health from across the region to share their strategic visions for transforming healthcare and achieving universal access to care. In an era defined by rapid innovation, shifting demographics, and rising patient expectations, access to care is no longer just a goal—it’s a necessity. Ministers will explore the critical reforms shaping their national healthcare agendas and the bold steps being taken to build systems that are more inclusive, resilient, and patient-centered. From adopting future-ready technologies to strengthening primary care and infrastructure, the discussion will focus on how innovation is being harnessed to break down barriers and deliver care to every individual, everywhere.
The session will also emphasize the pivotal role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in enabling access, improving quality, and accelerating innovation. In addition, ministers will highlight the growing need for cross-border collaboration—sharing knowledge, experiences, and resources to collectively address healthcare disparities and strengthen health systems at a regional level.
This powerful dialogue will offer a unique opportunity to understand how visionary leadership, reform, and strategic cooperation are unlocking a healthier future for all.
Panel Discussion 2:
THE POWER OF VALUE-BASED HEALTHCARE: SUCCESS AND CHALLENGES
This session will explore the transformative impact of value-based healthcare (VBHC), focusing on its implementation and the challenges faced in shifting from volume-driven to value-driven care.
Many healthcare systems around the world are increasingly adopting VBHC models to improve patient outcomes and optimize expenditures, a transition that has gained significant traction in recent discussions within the region.
We will examine the successes achieved through VBHC, such as enhanced patient satisfaction, improved care coordination, and better resource utilization. However, the journey towards widespread adoption is not without its challenges. Key obstacles include aligning diverse
stakeholders, adapting reimbursement structures, and ensuring effective data integration and system interoperability.
As we look at recent regional developments, this session will provide insights into how healthcare leaders can navigate these challenges, leveraging VBHC models to create more sustainable and efficient healthcare systems. Participants will leave with actionable strategies for optimizing care delivery, improving financial sustainability, and addressing the hurdles that may arise in the pursuit of value-based healthcare.
Panel Discussion 3:
STRATEGIC TRANSFORMATION: HUMAN CAPITAL , SYSTEM RESILIENCE AND THE POWER OF HEALTHCARE COMMUNICATION
Across the Arab world, healthcare is undergoing a strategic shift — moving from illness-focused, externally dependent systems toward sovereign, sustainable, and people-centered models. This high-level panel brings together visionary regional leaders to explore the drivers of real transformation and long-term resilience.
From navigating global supply disruptions to investing in local capacity and green infrastructure, Arab countries are shaping healthcare systems that reflect their own priorities and strengths. At the center of this evolution lies a focus on empowering the workforce, advancing hospital sustainability, and building systems that can adapt and endure.
The discussion will explore five key transformation levels:
– Human Experience: delivering care rooted in dignity, empathy, and respect
– Procurement & Supply Chain: shifting from reactive response to strategic preparedness
– Localization: building regional leadership in production, innovation, and care delivery
– Workforce & Talent: investing in skills, leadership, and future-ready capabilities
– Sustainability: designing and operating hospitals built to last and respond to environmental challenges
Because real transformation is not just about reform, it’s about resilience, relevance, and readiness for the future.
Women’s Strength in Leadership: Empowering Change and Inspiring Care
WOMEN IN HEALTHCARE CIRCLE
The Women in Healthcare Circle will gather exceptional women leaders to drive meaningful change in the healthcare sector, ensuring their contributions are recognized and celebrated.
“Her Health, Her Strength” underscores the critical link between a woman’s well-being and her leadership potential, emphasizing that investing in the health of women is essential for fostering effective and inspiring leaders in healthcare.
This unique circle will focus on several key areas and Questions to Healthcare women leaders:
1. Leadership and Influence
2. Personal and Professional Impact
3. Health and Policy
4. Innovation and Change
Panel Discussion 4:
ACCELERATING HEALTHCARE TRANSFORMATION THROUGH AI AND DIGITAL HEALTH
As healthcare systems face increasing demands for efficiency, quality, and equitable access, the integration of AI and digital health technologies is no longer optional , it is essential.
This session will explore how digital breakthroughs are reshaping hospital operations, optimizing clinical workflows, and enhancing decision-making to deliver faster, safer, and more personalized care. It will also address how AI-driven innovation is transforming the healthcare workforce, redefining roles, competencies, and training models to meet the demands of the future.
Panelists will highlight the critical role of digital tools in removing barriers to access, improving patient flow, and enabling smart, scalable healthcare delivery, particularly across systems working toward value-based care.
From operational efficiency to human capacity, this session will offer insights into how AI and digital health are accelerating transformation and unlocking the full potential of hospitals to serve communities better.
Panel Discussion 5:
SUSTAINABLE HEALTH TOURISM: ELEVATING QUALITY, BUILDING BRANDS, ANDDRIVING COMPETITIVENESS
As MedHealth Riyadh turns its spotlight on the future of Arab healthcare, this forward-looking session explores how sustainable health tourism can thrive through a powerful combination of quality, branding, and competitiveness. In an era where patients increasingly seek care beyond borders, the challenge is no longer just about attracting them — it’s about earning their trust, delivering exceptional value, and building lasting reputations.
This conversation brings together changemakers and strategists to rethink what it takes to position the Arab world as a leading destination for health tourism. From elevating care standards and designing brand-driven patient experiences to creating sustainable, ethically sound systems, this session will explore how policy, innovation, and regional collaboration can shape a trusted and competitive health tourism ecosystem.
Because the future of health tourism lies not in promises, but in consistent quality, credible branding, and a commitment to excellence that patients can count on — before, during, and after their journey.
Recognition Award
Over its remarkable journey, AHF has sought to honor individuals and institutions whose vision, leadership, and contributions have been pivotal in shaping the healthcare landscape of the region.
These awards serve as a testament to the collective efforts of visionaries, impactful leaders, loyal partners, and distinguished institutions who have made indelible marks on the broader healthcare industry.
By recognizing these stakeholders, AHF not only pays homage to their achievements but also underscores the significance of collaborative efforts in driving the overall advancement of the healthcare sector. These awards serve as an inspiration to continue striving for excellence and innovation in healthcare.
Field Visits
The participants will have the opportunity to participate in field visits to renowned hospitals in Riyadh, offering firsthand exposure to cutting-edge technologies and best practices in healthcare excellence.
This dynamic program combines knowledge, innovation, and real-world applications to inspire transformative progress in the healthcare sector, transitioning from theory to practical application.
Memorandum Of Understanding
In an ever-evolving healthcare landscape, AHF recognizes the imperative of driving positive change through collective action. By forging strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations, institutions, and stakeholders, AHF seeks to amplify its impact and drive innovation.
Through these alliances, AHF endeavors to leverage diverse perspectives, pool resources, and harness collective expertise towards common goals. The invitation extended to all stakeholders reflects AHF’s inclusive approach towards building a healthier future. By fostering an ecosystem of collaboration and mutual support, AHF aims to create lasting change that transcends geographical boundaries and benefits communities worldwide.
As AHF embarks on this journey, it does so with a sense of pride and purpose. The announcement of its commitment to forging strategic partnerships signals a new chapter in its evolution—a chapter defined by collaboration, innovation, and collective impact. Together, AHF and its partners stand poised to shape a more resilient and equitable healthcare ecosystem for generations to come.