Abu Dhabi to host second Al Shifaa Summit for Integrative Medicine in October 2026
In short
The UAE Integrative Medicine Council announced the second Al Shifaa Summit for Integrative Medicine, to be held from 20 to 22 October 2026 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. It will take place as part of Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026 under the theme “To Sense is to Predict”. The programme covers research, education, applied innovation and artificial intelligence in integrative medicine.
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The UAE Integrative Medicine Council (UAEIMC) has announced that the second edition of the Al Shifaa Summit for Integrative Medicine will be held from 20 to 22 October 2026 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, according to two announcements published on 5 October 2026. The summit will bring together local and international experts to exchange knowledge and explore scientific evidence and innovations contributing to the continued development of integrative medicine and its practices. [ 1 , 2 ]
The Al Shifaa Summit is an initiative of the UAEIMC and will take place as part of the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026, whose theme is “To Sense is to Predict”. Within that setting, the summit will provide a dedicated platform to explore traditional, complementary and integrative medicine practices, examine the relationship between inherited knowledge and scientific evidence, and consider how the field can advance safely and responsibly. [ 1 , 2 ]
The 2026 programme will explore the evolution of integrative medicine, from traditional knowledge and scientific foundations through to research, education, innovation and practical application. Its research and innovation section will focus on four areas: higher education and training; research and clinical evidence; applied innovation and solutions; and innovation, artificial intelligence and the future of integrative medicine. [ 1 , 2 ]
Sheikha Salama bint Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the UAE Integrative Medicine Council, said the council “continues its efforts to advance integrative medicine in the UAE, supporting the integration of traditional and complementary practices within the UAE’s healthcare ecosystem, while contributing to the field’s development internationally and strengthening connections among stakeholders across the sector.” She also said that integrative medicine draws on knowledge rooted in diverse traditions, disciplines and medical approaches, in a quote that was truncated in both documents. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
The summit signals a continued push to integrate traditional and complementary medicine into the UAE’s healthcare ecosystem, with international experts exchanging knowledge. It may influence practices and policy in integrative medicine regionally and beyond, though the documents do not detail specific outcomes.
Key facts
- The second Al Shifaa Summit for Integrative Medicine will take place from 20 to 22 October 2026 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The summit is an initiative of the UAE Integrative Medicine Council and will be part of Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The 2026 theme of Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit is “To Sense is to Predict”. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The research and innovation section of the 2026 programme will focus on four areas: higher education and training; research and clinical evidence; applied innovation and solutions; and innovation, artificial intelligence and the future of integrative medicine. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Sheikha Salama bint Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan is the Chairperson of the UAE Integrative Medicine Council. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The summit will provide a platform to explore traditional, complementary and integrative medicine practices and examine the relationship between inherited knowledge and scientific evidence. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The second Al Shifaa Summit for Integrative Medicine will be held from 20 to 22 October 2026 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The summit is an initiative of the UAE Integrative Medicine Council and part of Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026 has the theme “To Sense is to Predict”. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The 2026 programme’s research and innovation section focuses on higher education and training; research and clinical evidence; applied innovation and solutions; and innovation, artificial intelligence and the future of integrative medicine. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Sheikha Salama bint Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan is Chairperson of the UAE Integrative Medicine Council. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- The full speaker list and detailed session schedule for the summit. Both documents provide only the announcement text, which is truncated mid-quote, and do not list speakers or sessions.
- Whether the summit is open to the public or ticketed. The documents do not state attendance or registration details.
- The full ending of the chairperson’s quote. Both documents end mid-sentence, so the complete quote is not available.