Healthcare projects worth $55.2 billion are currently in the pipeline in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, according to latest industry estimates.

A total of 37 mega hospital projects worth about $28.2 billion are already under way in the Gulf region, and these are expected to add 22,500 hospital beds to existing capacity, according to Alpen Capital Healthcare Report.

The rest of the year is expected to be even more robust for the healthcare projects market, with major projects being undertaken throughout the region, a report released ahead of the Building Healthcare Innovation & Design Show in Dubai, UAE, said.

The Mena region's premier healthcare build and design show, organised by Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions, will be co-located with Cityscape Global and will take place from September 11 to 13 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The decision to merge the two independently successful trade shows comes as an effort to create one unified business platform for the full spectrum of the construction, design and development industries in the region, a statement said.

Major new developments expected to be announced at the show from September 11 to 13 at Dubai World Trade Centre.

In the UAE, some of the high-profile projects coming up include Al Ain Hospital, Al Ain; Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi; Gulf Medical University Hospital, Ajman; Mediclinic Parview Hospital, Dubai; and King's College Hospital, Dubai.

In Saudi Arabia, major projects include King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Project for Development of Security Forces Medical Complexes; King Khaled Medical City, Dammam; King Faisal Medical City, Asir; Mouwasat Hospital, Al Khobar; and Amal Mental Health Hospital, Taif.

More than 150 exhibiting companies and 3,800 participants are expected to attend the Building Healthcare Innovation & Design Show to discuss new healthcare projects, best practice in design and construction and source new technologies and services that will maximise facility operations and improve patient experience.

The show, which will have its own area at Cityscape Global, is the only dedicated platform for professionals involved in the build, construction, design and innovation of healthcare facilities.

Meanwhile, Cityscape Global 2017, also organised by Informa, is expected to attract more than 30,000 visitors and showcase 1,000 of ongoing and new real estate projects in the region.

According to global property consultant JLL, which is the official content partner for Building Healthcare, it is not surprising that more real estate players in Mena are seeking to diversify into the healthcare sector.

"The healthcare sector offers the ability for real estate investors to participate in a growing market backed by the government, where long-term leases can be structured to major regional and international healthcare providers," said Craig Plumb - head of research, Mena - JLL.

Building Healthcare attendees will also benefit from the new congress format offering six dedicated conference sessions under the theme "Starting with the End in Mind". The free-to-attend congress provides integrated content addressing the challenges involved throughout the entire lifecycle of a healthcare facility: Vision, invest, design, build, equip and manage.

Other new features include a full three-day seminar and workshop schedule that will examine ongoing projects in the Mena region, discuss how to invest in new markets and assess case studies of planning, design, and construction that can be used in future projects. - TradeArabia News Service