Forbes Middle East has unveiled its 2026 rankings of the region’s leading healthcare founders and executives, with UAE-based leaders accounting for half of the 150 entries across the two lists.

The rankings recognise 50 healthcare founders and 100 executives who are shaping the region’s healthcare sector through leadership, innovation, business growth and sector-wide initiatives.

UAE-based leaders account for 75 entries, followed by Saudi Arabia with 40 and Egypt with 14. Hospital leaders represent the largest sector group with 44 entries, while pharmaceutical executives and founders account for 43, followed by integrated healthcare with 14.

Also read: Preventive Scans Detect Multiple Cancers in Patients Without Symptoms

Shaista Asif, Cofounder and Group CEO of PureHealth, topped the Founders ranking. Sulaiman Al Habib, Group Founder and Chairman of Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Services Group, ranked second, followed by Azad Moopen, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare.

Click here to join our WhatsApp channel here

On the Executives list, Nasser Al Huqbani, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Health Holding Company, took the top position, followed by Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Suwaidi of Hamad Medical Corporation and Saeed Jaber Al Kuwaiti, Group CEO of SEHA.

The rankings considered factors including organisational impact, innovation, leadership experience, sustainability, transparency and recent achievements.