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On the second day, the MedTech World Middle East conference at Dubai’s InterContinental Festival City recently hosted a panel focused on collaboration. The panel “Connecting the Giants” explored how partnerships among large companies, investors, and government organisations are helping to advance healthcare innovation in the region.
Dr Narges Sheikhansari, an executive advisor and public health expert with over ten years of experience in healthcare strategy, led the discussion. She was joined by industry leaders such as Dr Yacine Hadjiat, Head of Dubai Health Innovations at Dubai Health, and Dr Sarper Tanli, Managing Director at Mass General Brigham International. The panel also included Michael Maylahn, a director at Plug and Play, and Scott Princen, who leads the medtech and consumer health unit at IQVIA. Together, they discussed the challenges and opportunities for medical technology in the MENA region.
Dr. Yacine Hadjiat talked about Dubai Health’s innovative ecosystem and how working together with public institutions and private investors is moving healthcare forward in the region. “The most successful partnerships are those that are less transactional and more collaborative,” he said. “True innovation happens when stakeholders are invested in co-creating solutions together.”
Dr. Sarper Tanli from Mass General Brigham talked about how public and private groups can work together at scale. He said that strong leadership and clear goals are key to success. “A partnership is only sustainable when it is built on clear guidelines and measurable outcomes,” said Dr. Tanli.
Michael Maylahn from Plug and Play pointed out that corporate partnerships show a company’s readiness for innovation. He observed that more startups are interested in the region, but there is still a gap between being open to new ideas and actually working together. “It’s not just about having a great idea,” Maylahn said. “It’s about creating an environment that nurtures those ideas and helps them grow.” He also emphasised the importance of aligning MedTech innovations with local healthcare needs. “Understanding local healthcare systems and regulatory frameworks is key to successfully scaling MedTech solutions in the region,” he said.
The panel agreed that the future of MedTech innovation in the Middle East relies on stronger partnerships among companies, governments, and investors. By working more closely together, the region has the potential to become a global leader in healthcare technology.
MedTech World Middle East remains an important place for these discussions, helping to encourage collaboration and support the region’s healthcare sector.
With MedTech World Middle East coming to a close, the roadshow will move on to MedTech World North America in Florida, USA, from May 11 to 13, 2026. Join us there to discover the next wave of healthcare innovation and collaboration worldwide.
