Today's Edition
DUBAI (ALETIHAD)
The UAE's visionary role in advancing women's health in the region and the importance of global and regional partnerships came to the fore during a session titled "Advancing Healthcare for Women in the Middle East and North Africa", held on the sidelines of Arab Health 2025.
Hosted by Mass General Brigham, the largest hospital-based research enterprise in the US, the session witnessed the participation of Dr. Maryam Matar, Founder and Chairperson of the UAE Genetic Diseases Association; Dr. Nawal Nour, Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mass General Brigham; Dr. Kalthoom Alblooshi, Director of the Training and Development Centre and Chief Innovation Officer at Emirates Health Services; and Farouk Shamas Jiwa, Director of Government Relations and Communications, META at Organon.
The panellists underscored the need to seize opportunities for collaboration and innovation in making high-quality healthcare accessible to all women across the MENA region.
Dr. Matar opened the discussion by sharing her views on the UAE's forward-thinking policies that have brought women's health to the forefront of national development and priorities. "The progress we are seeing in the UAE is a direct result of our leadership's focus on gender-sensitive reforms. As we continue to break barriers, the emphasis must remain on making women's healthcare universally accessible, high-quality, and tailored to their distinct needs."
Speaking to Aletihad, Dr. Matar stressed the importance of further exploring epigenetics and educating the population about all the factors that impact women's health and wellbeing including sleep and hormones, amongst other things.
She attributed much of their success to the unwavering support of its leaders. "What sets the United Arab Emirates apart from any other country in the region is the support and commitment of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, who, alongside His Highness the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace, founded this nation. When you have the Mother of the Nation looking after her daughters, as well as all women in the UAE and the region, you are bound to excel and exceed expectations."
Dr. Nour, offering a global perspective, addressed the need for more gender-specific healthcare research and a shift in how women's health is perceived. "It's essential that we acknowledge and address the health needs unique to women, as their health and wellbeing are integral to the strength of families, communities, and societies. The Middle East is not alone in this journey. Globally, it's up to all of us – policymakers, researchers, doctors, nurses, and the public, to improve women's health. To make a difference and improve the lives of women, everyone has a role to play – whether it's developing an initiative or contributing to innovative discovery. Now is the time to invest in women's health."
Speaking to Aletihad about collaborating with the UAE, Dr. Nour said: "The great thing about this collaboration is that it's a two-way street; we learn as much as we teach. Our priority in the MENA region is access to care for all. We need to ensure that women are well-informed about their health so that they can approach healthcare providers with questions and receive the high-quality care they deserve."
Dr. Alblooshi highlighted the importance of a strong education to empower women. "Advancing women's health is not just about women – it benefits entire communities. Comprehensive care, including mental health support and education, empowers women to take charge of their health, improving their quality of life and that of their communities."
She told Aletihad: "We need to educate and raise awareness about women's health not just among women and girls, but also among men and boys. There's a female in every family, whether it's the mother, daughter, or sister. Therefore, women's health is everyone's responsibility."
Dr. Jiwa pointed out: "We urgently need greater investment in women's health – with only 1% of R&D currently addressing female-specific conditions outside oncology. Women often express different symptoms for the same diseases, highlighting the critical need for better representation in clinical trials."
The panel concluded by emphasising a collaborative way forward, stressing the importance of joint efforts between governments, healthcare providers, and the pharmaceutical industry to create systems that empower women to take charge of their health journeys.
