Digital health startup Practo enters UAE

Digital healthcare startup Practo has expanded its services into the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a company statement said.

The company, which claims to have served about 400 million users in India in the past 17 years, is bringing its healthcare discovery and appointment booking services to the UAE with an existing base of more than 31,000 doctors, 3,000 healthcare facilities, and over 50,000 monthly users already active in the region.

Through the platform, users in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah can search and book appointments with verified doctors, read thousands of patient reviews, and access a wide network of clinics and hospitals

The platform enables users to book appointments instantly with doctors across key specialties such as dentistry, dermatology, gynecology, general practice, ENT, physiotherapy, and psychiatry.

“In today’s world, and particularly in a market such as the UAE, access to quality healthcare should not be defined by proximity alone,” said Shashank N.D., co-founder and CEO of Practo. “Our experience has shown that patient reviews are a trusted indicator for users to make a decision, and we are now happy to extend this opportunity to users in the UAE.”

Given the insurance-led nature of healthcare access in Dubai, Practo has integrated insurance data at the establishment level and plans to offer doctor-specific coverage information by the end of the month.

This will allow patients to make better-informed decisions based not only on availability and reviews but also on what their insurance plans cover.

Among the early partners are e-Kaya Skin Clinic, Sulaiman Habib Hospital and Clinics, Micris Dental, Smile on Dental Clinic, and Quintinha hospitals.

“Practo’s reputation for enabling reliable healthcare access precedes it,” said Mohammad Ahmed, head of marketing at Sulaiman Habib Hospital. “As healthcare continues to become more connected across borders, we believe this platform will offer patients an easier, more transparent way to find and connect with quality providers.”

The launch builds on Practo’s decade-long presence in the UAE through its hospital management software, Insta by Practo, which supports operations at leading institutions such as Life Medical Center, Emirates Hospital, and Healthcare Organisation UAE.

With its software already embedded in the region’s healthcare infrastructure, the company is now extending its reach to individual users and families looking for credible and convenient healthcare access.

The timing of the expansion comes as Practo’s India operations turn profitable.

It also reflects a strategic bet on growing demand for connected healthcare that spans countries—particularly for patients who travel frequently between India and the Gulf. Practo’s platform enables continuity of care across borders, giving UAE users access to Indian healthcare providers and vice versa.

Founded in 2008, Practo now operates in 22 countries and connects over half a million doctors with patients across 14,500 locations.

The platform sees an annual transaction volume of ₹3,500 crore and continues to grow, with new tools powered by AI, telemedicine features, and strong data security standards.

Through the Practo Foundation, the company also supports access to care for underserved communities—most recently enabling over 2,500 free cataract surgeries in the last year and a half.