United Arab Emirates Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Market Size

UAE Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Market Analysis

The United Arab Emirates Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Market size is estimated at USD 190.87 million in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 222.78 million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 3.14% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

COVID-19 had put significant pressure, especially on the healthcare systems, with significant impacts on the patients infected with COVID-19 and others. During the pandemic, the number of imaging procedures decreased significantly. For instance, from an article published in a Healthcare journal in August 2022, it has been observed that, in the United Arab Emirates, about 80% of the radiological procedures were changed in the number of procedures conducted and hospital visits during the pandemic as compared to pre-COVID time. Thus, the decrease in the radiological procedure has decreased the demand for diagnostic imaging equipment, affecting the market growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with the resumed services and increased hospital visits in diagnostic centers and hospitals, the demand for diagnostic imaging equipment is expected to grow over the forecast period.

The rising burden of chronic diseases and technological advancements in diagnostic imaging are propelling the market growth. For instance, according to GLOBOCAN 2020 report, the estimated number of new breast cancer cases in the United Arab Emirates was 1,030 and this number is projected to reach 2,306 by 2040. Thus, the expected increase in the number of breast cancer cases among the population is expected to increase the demand for imaging equipment, such as mammography, ultrasonography, and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to diagnose breast cancer and evaluate the stage and extent of disease.

Similarly, as per 2022 statistics published by IDF, 0.99 million people were living with diabetes in 2021 in the United Arab Emirates. In addition, as per the same source, this number is projected to reach 1.17 million by 2030 and 1.32 million by 2045. Therefore, high blood sugar caused by diabetes can damage the nerves that control the heart and blood vessels, leading to a variety of cardiovascular diseases like coronary artery disease and stroke, which increase the demand for cardiac CT imaging, and other cardiac imaging methods such as chest X-ray, cardiac MRI, and nuclear cardiac stress testing which is expected to increase the demand for diagnostic imaging equipment, thereby propelling the market growth.

In addition, the increasing geriatric population will complement the growth of the studied market. For instance, according to the United Nations Population Fund's World Population Dashboard's Statistics 2021, in the United Arab Emirates, a large proportion of the living population is aged between 15 and 64 years and accounts for 83%, and 2% of the population is aged 65 and above. Thus, the rising geriatric populations are more prone to develop chronic diseases which increases the need for early diagnosis and detection of the diseases which is expected to increase the demand for advanced diagnostic imaging equipment. This is anticipated to fuel the market growth over the forecast period.

Furthermore, the rising awareness among the population regarding the ill effects of chronic diseases through organizing awareness campaigns is also contributing to market growth. For instance, in August 2022, Novartis started its new Women in Pink campaign aiming at raising awareness of breast cancer for a better quality of life for women across the United Arab Emirates. Through partnerships with the Emirates Oncology Society and the nonprofit group Friends of Cancer Patients, the campaign also emphasizes empowering women by providing them with the necessary information that enables them to choose their preferred treatment option. Also, in June 2021, MoHAP launched an awareness campaign on the dangers of obesity, chronic diseases, and its association with COVID-19 to highlight the importance of public adherence to precautionary measures, a healthy balanced diet, and treatment plans set by doctors.

New models for therapy and diagnoses are being developed, which provide precise results, help in the early detection of diseases, and help minimize the cost of treating these diseases. With the increasing disposable income, people are becoming capable enough to have access to imaging procedures for the early detection of diseases.

Moreover, the rising company and hospital focus on launching advanced imaging products in the country are also expected to increase the market growth. For instance, in June 2020, the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) launched the first Computerised Tomography (CT) scan for diagnosing pneumonia caused by COVID-19 in the United Arab Emirates. The machine can evaluate, on average, eight persons an hour with no contact between people reducing the risk of transmission of the virus. Also, in January 2020, the Thumbay University Hospital launched its 'Center for Imaging' at a special function in the hospital. The Center for Imaging has cutting-edge technology and advanced equipment such as 3 Tesla MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), 256 slice CT (Computed Tomography), Bone Mineral Densitometer (BMD), Ultrasonography, and Color Doppler studies, Conventional and Portable X-ray and Contrast studies, etc., in addition to the upcoming Digital Mammography, Fluoroscopy, and PET-CT services and PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System).

However, the high cost of diagnostic imaging procedures and equipment is likely to impede the market growth over the forecast period.