Practo expands global footprint with UAE launch, claims 10% annual user penetration in Dubai

Digital healthcare platform Practo on Wednesday launched its services in the United Arab Emirates, marking a step in its global expansion.

The platform, now accessible to users in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah, aims to simplify access to healthcare by enabling users to discover and book appointments with verified doctors across a wide range of specialities.

The launch extends Practo’s consumer-facing operations to the UAE, where the company already has a decade-long presence through its hospital management software, Insta by Practo. Its UAE platform currently lists over 3,000 clinics and more than 31,000 doctors, with 50,000 monthly active users already on board.

Practo said it has crossed Rs 100 crores in gross merchandise value (GMV) in the UAE and onboarded over 250 paying customers. The company said it has captured 10% of Dubai’s population on an annual usage basis.

"Following our achievement of profitability in FY24 and continued positive cash flows in FY25, we are excited to extend Practo's reach in the UAE," said Co-founder and CEO Shashank ND. He added that the platform's early traction in the UAE signals a strong need for integrated and trusted healthcare discovery tools in the region.

In a market like Dubai, where insurance coverage is a key part of accessing care, Practo is integrating insurance data at both the clinic and doctor levels. This feature, expected to be fully available by the end of May, is designed to help patients make better-informed decisions.

Early adopters of the platform include Sulaiman Habib Hospital, e-Kaya Skin Clinic, Micris Dental, Smile on Dental Clinic, and Quintinha hospitals.

“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,” said Mohammad Ahmed, Head of Marketing at Sulaiman Habib Hospital.

The company highlights its cross-border capabilities as a key advantage, allowing UAE users to access Indian healthcare providers and vice versa. This feature caters to the significant number of users who travel between India and the Gulf for medical or personal reasons.

Founded 17 years ago, Practo operates in 22 countries and connects more than 400 million users globally with a network of over 500,000 doctors. Besides booking appointments, the platform supports telemedicine, practice digitisation, and AI-driven healthcare tools.