Al Shifaa Summit Returns to Shape UAE’s Integrative Medicine Future
The UAE Integrative Medicine Council convenes leading global experts and practitioners for a three-day summit exploring the convergence of traditional knowledge, scientific research and innovation in healthcare.
Abu Dhabi will welcome the second edition of Al Shifaa Summit for Integrative Medicine from 20 to 22 October 2026 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, as part of the broader Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026. This significant gathering, initiated by the UAE Integrative Medicine Council, will unite distinguished experts, practitioners, researchers and innovators from across the Emirates and beyond to examine the evolving landscape of integrative medicine.
Under the compelling theme of “Tradition, Science and the Future of Integrative Medicine”, the Summit will investigate the rich tapestry of traditional and complementary knowledge and practices, including the treasured heritage of Emirati Traditional Medicine, whilst simultaneously advancing scientific research, education and training. The programme will address crucial areas including regulation, quality assurance and safety standards, alongside exploring how innovation, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies might enhance and advance the field’s development. This multifaceted approach supports the Council’s mission to establish a robust national framework, strengthen the integrative medicine ecosystem and cultivate meaningful partnerships and knowledge exchange across the sector.
The three-day programme encompasses an interactive exhibition organised into three enlightening zones: Traditional Knowledge, Scientific Foundations and Building the Integrative Medicine Ecosystem. The Exchange Hub will host dynamic sessions and open discussions addressing regulation and quality, clinical evidence and research, education, innovation, scientific foundations and traditional knowledge, whilst exploring collaboration opportunities among stakeholders. A distinctive Pledge Zone invites visitors to commit to pledges reflecting their understanding of integrative medicine through an innovative digital experience inspired by the traditional aflaj irrigation system, symbolising how knowledge and expertise converge to build a shared future.
Safeya Abdulazeez Al Maqtari, Acting Secretary General of the UAE Integrative Medicine Council, noted that the Summit provides a crucial platform for broader dialogue on integrative medicine’s future. “This work recognises the diversity of traditional and complementary practices and their integration with conventional medicine to support a more holistic approach to healthcare,” she stated, emphasising the Council’s commitment to moving from describing practices to understanding their scientific foundations and evaluating them against rigorous standards of quality and safety.
The Summit will feature participation from esteemed academic, research and healthcare institutions including UAE University, Zayed Complex for Herbal Research and Traditional Medicine, NYU Abu Dhabi, Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital, Virginia University of Integrative Medicine and the NICM Health Research Institute, alongside policymakers, healthcare leaders, practitioners and industry representatives. Panel discussions will address regulation in integrative medicine practice, defining evidence standards from a global health perspective and the critical intersection of innovation and artificial intelligence in the field.
Source: WAM