Top GCC Healthcare Trends For 2025

As the new year begins, focus on health and wellness takes centre stage, making it the perfect time to explore what key trends will define the future of healthcare in the GCC - and how individuals and businesses prepare.

The Middle East’s healthcare sector is thriving. Driven by digitalization, public-private partnerships, population growth and medical tourism, healthcare expenditure in the GCC is forecasted to reach $135.5 billion by 2027, demonstrating the region’s commitment to building a robust healthcare ecosystem that benefits institutions, professionals, and patients alike.

As the industry evolves, here are the top GCC healthcare trends for 2025:

1. More mental health services

Mental health has become a pressing priority around the world, and the GCC is no exception. Globally, 48% of insurers reported claims for mental and behavioural disorders to be the fastest-growing health conditions over the last 18 months. In the Middle East and Africa specifically, 23% of insurers expect mental health service costs to increase by 15% or more per person in the next three years, reflecting the growing need for these kinds of services.

While mental health was once a sensitive topic, GCC governments and healthcare institutions are destigmatizing the discussion with initiatives aimed at raising awareness. For example, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s National Wellbeing Strategy 2031 have both made mental health a key component of their healthcare transformation goals. Furthermore, new specialised mental health centres are being built across the GCC. Saudi Arabia alone announced plans to add over 3,000 mental health professionals by 2030, and similarly, the UAE is experiencing a 20% year-on-year increase in demand for mental health practitioners.

And it’s not just government organisations - employers are also investing in the movement towards enhancing mental wellbeing in the region. The GCC’s workplace mental health market is projected to grow by 7% annually thanks to the increased adoption of workplace wellness programs, such as GulfCare’s Employee Assistance Programs, powered by Workplace Options, which provide confidential counseling, stress management tools, and 24/7 support.

2. Demand for telehealth and virtual care 

The most significant industry shift in 2024 was the addition of telehealth services to insurers’ medical portfolio. This trend was particularly prominent in the MEA region where 58% added telehealth to their offering.

The COVID-19 pandemic pushed telehealth into the spotlight, and since then ongoing tech advancements have made it even more accessible. In the UAE, providers like Abu Dhabi Health Services (SEHA) and Health at Hand have launched telehealth portals reducing the need for costly in-person visits. Similarly, GulfCare offers TruDoc, which offers tele-health consultations with licensed medical practitioners in addition to health and wellness consultations and prescription delivery.

Telehealth services will continue to reshape how healthcare is delivered - making it more convenient and cost-effective than ever more. These services are no longer limited to virtual consultations—they now include tele-radiology, tele-pharmacy, and even hospital-at-home models. Powered by new technology, healthcare delivery models are moving closer to where consumers are, outside of traditional health settings. 

3. Integration of digital & AI technology

   
   

AI and digital tools are taking healthcare to the next level, improving efficiency, transparency and accessibility. Experts predict AI could contribute $320 billion to Middle Eastern economies by 2030, which includes the integration of AI-driven medical enhancements.

The UAE is leading the way with digital twin initiatives, in which virtual models are made of patient physiology. By running accurate simulations using digital twins that mirror a patient’s exact physiology prior to treatment, doctors can make better-informed decisions with the potential to improve patient outcomes and minimize harm.

Digital transformation in the region’s healthcare industry also includes the integration of AI technology, which offers an opportunity to improve precision, reduce human to human transmission of diseases, and improve safety and efficiency. Surgical robots like the Da Vinci Xi have become increasingly prevalent in hospitals around Dubai. Controlled by surgeons, these robotic systems, which typically consist of a camera and mechanical arms with attached surgical instruments are designed to enhance speed and accuracy overall. AI robots are also used as virtual assistants to analyse patient medical records and images alongside historical methods and vast datasets from similar surgeries to derive critical insights and conceive effective treatment plans.

4. Increased focus on genomic medicine 

Genomic medicine is changing the game by making treatments more personal, using genetic profiles to create targeted, tailored healthcare plans for individual patients. The advancement of genomics is completely revolutionising the healthcare industry, much like antibiotics, vaccines or advanced imaging did. Future generations will experience a true paradigm shift, with personalized, genomics-based treatments becoming the norm.

In 2025, GCC countries are set to invest heavily in genomic research and technology to address hereditary and high-risk conditions, such as cancer. In fact, GCC countries are leading the way in the integration of genomics into national healthcare frameworks. Saudi Arabia’s Genome Program has been launched, which is focused on building a national genomic database. Simultaneously, the UAE is aiming to sequence one million genomes to advance cancer treatment strategies, and Bahrain has also ramped up its gene sequencing capacity to 20,000 genomes per year - 2.5x its previous capacity.

This personalized approach is paving the way for better early detection, improved treatments, and even disease prevention, bringing healthcare closer to the needs of individual patients.

5. Shift to proactive vs. reactive care

Globally, the idea of healthcare is shifting away from reactive treatments and focusing more on proactive, wellness-based care models. This transition is not only preventative but also essential for early detection and intervention to prevent illness progression to the point of crisis.

This proactive approach is exemplified in the Middle East through the region’s increased focus on mental health, and recognition of the integral role it plays in overall health and disease prevention. 

In the GCC,  preventive care is distinguished by the use of innovative technology and data analytics. Systems like Bahrain’s I-SEHA and UAE’s Riyati are being implemented to centralise patient data. Combined with genome projects launched across the region, these initiatives give medical professionals a plethora of population-wide data, from which they can identify trends, predict health risks, and intervene proactively on an individual and population-wide level. 

In recent years, GCC countries have also focused on building a robust culture of health, spearheaded by government entities. Public health campaigns, such as Qatar’s "Start Now," for example, leverage the power of social media to promote a healthier lifestyle amongst the youth by encouraging exercise and healthier diets. 

How GulfCare can support

For 2025, the future of healthcare in the GCC is set to become more consumer-centric, technology-driven and wellness-oriented. There is a significant paradigm shift to deliver care outside traditional structures accompanied by a deep commitment to adopt more proactive and holistic approaches. 

For businesses looking to stay ahead of the curve and invest in employee wellbeing, GulfCare offers flexible healthcare options, which include personalized treatments, telehealth services, mental health and wellbeing plans and more, designed to keep your team happy, productive and healthy.

To learn more about our services, contact us today.