Abu Dhabi establishes regional healthcare logistics hub through strategic partnership
The Department of Health Abu Dhabi has announced a collaborative initiative with leading international partners to create a specialised regional hub for the distribution of medicines and vaccines across the Middle East and Africa.
A strategic partnership between the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, MSD, DSV and RAFED has been established to create a sophisticated regional healthcare logistics hub within the Emirate. The facility, anticipated to commence operations in January 2027, will serve as a pivotal distribution centre for medicines and vaccines, extending services throughout the UAE and more than ten export markets across the Middle East and Africa.
The Memorandum of Understanding was formally signed during the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026, with signatures from Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, and Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, alongside representatives from each partnering organisation.
Positioned within Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi, the hub capitalises upon the Emirate’s advanced logistics infrastructure, strategically advantageous geographic location and the comprehensive regulatory environment that Abu Dhabi provides. The facility will be equipped with state-of-the-art warehousing capabilities and advanced technological infrastructure to ensure secure, reliable and efficient distribution of essential healthcare products throughout the region.
This initiative represents a significant advancement in strengthening healthcare supply chain resilience across the region. By integrating MSD’s extensive pharmaceutical portfolio with DSV’s global and regional logistics expertise and RAFED’s specialised warehousing infrastructure, the collaboration creates a comprehensive ecosystem designed to enhance medicine and vaccine availability and support continuity of supply across multiple markets.
Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi emphasised the significance of this endeavour, noting that reliable access to medicines and vaccines remains fundamental to healthcare continuity and system resilience. The collaboration underscores Abu Dhabi’s commitment to fostering connections between life sciences investment and healthcare delivery, establishing specialised logistics capabilities that reinforce supply resilience and enhance patient access across the wider region.
The partnership reflects Abu Dhabi’s broader strategic vision to strengthen health system preparedness, encourage private sector investment in healthcare infrastructure and advance the Emirate’s position as a globally recognised destination for healthcare innovation and life sciences excellence. Through this collaboration, the three organisations demonstrate their collective commitment to translating strategic partnerships into tangible infrastructure that meaningfully supports healthcare delivery and contributes to a more resilient and forward-thinking healthcare ecosystem across the UAE and beyond.
Source: WAM