Dr Maryam Matar and Dr Nawal Nour. KT photos: Hind Aldah
The UAE is making remarkable progress in addressing women’s healthcare needs, emphasizing the importance of awareness and education.
During a discussion with Khaleej Times at Arab Health 2025, Dr Maryam Matar, the founder and chairperson of the Emirates Genetic Diseases Association, stressed the need to empower university students with knowledge about their bodies’ physiology.
She believes that enhancing this knowledge will allow them to better understand how epigenetic factors influence their health.
She has also emphasized the necessity of health education for both men and women, underscoring that many health issues can be averted through proper information and resources. One of the most effective practices for maintaining health, she noted, is ensuring quality sleep.
These insights were shared during a panel discussion on ‘Advancing Healthcare for Women in the MENA’ at Arab Health 2025. Dr Matar was joined by notable health professionals, including Dr Nawal Nour, Chief of OBGYN at Mass General Brigham Hospital; Dr Kalthoom AlBulooshi, Chief Innovative Officer at Emirates Health Services; and Farouk Shamas Jiwa, Head of Policy and Communications META at Organon.
‘Invest in Women’s Health’
Dr Matar, who was the first woman to serve as undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, highlighted the critical gap in gender-specific healthcare, especially in refugee camps.
She pointed out that many healthcare services in these areas do not cater to women’s unique needs, with essential services like antenatal care frequently neglected.
She shared a compelling example from a refugee school in Mali, where the establishment of female-specific bathrooms significantly increased attendance, demonstrating the importance of gender-sensitive healthcare services.
Experts, including Dr Nawal Nour, echoed this sentiment, stating that improving women’s health is a global responsibility. Dr Nour encouraged immediate investment in women’s health.
Dr Kalthoom AlBulooshi reiterated that enhancing women’s health is not a competition with men’s health but a means of improving healthcare for everyone, asserting that when women’s health is prioritized, the entire community benefits.
Tackling Misconceptions
Throughout her career, Dr Matar has worked tirelessly to dispel harmful misconceptions regarding women’s health. One prevalent myth is that Down syndrome is solely inherited from the mother. She recounted how many of her colleagues mistakenly believed a younger mother’s age influences the likelihood of having a child with Down syndrome, prompting her to establish the UAE Down Syndrome Society.
Dr Matar also shared a poignant story from Hatta about a family hiding their child with Down syndrome due to societal stigmas. The family was concerned that knowledge of their child’s condition would hinder their daughters’ marriage prospects.
“They feared that others would wrongfully blame the mother,” Dr Matar explained, revealing the depth of stigma surrounding such conditions.
The challenge of persuading families to seek screening for conditions like Down syndrome was significant, yet Dr Matar noted the unique ability of the UAE to swiftly implement meaningful changes in healthcare.
“In the UAE, if you present a well-researched case, things get done quickly,” she stated. “We are in a unique position to enhance health services on a global scale.”
Thanks to her efforts, the Ministry of Health now includes various screening procedures on a national level.
Dr Matar emphasized how the UAE’s healthcare system can adapt rapidly compared to places like the UK or the US, where legislative processes can delay significant advances.
Lack of Gender-Specific Research
Reflecting on a pivotal moment in her career, Dr Matar recalled how a colleague advised her against taking high doses of longevity pills during her menstrual cycle while pursuing a PhD in clinical genetics in Japan.
“It was a revelation,” she remarked, highlighting how this incident spurred her to investigate how medications can differently affect women compared to men, especially during menstruation.
Upon reviewing past clinical trials, she discovered a glaring omission: most did not account for gender differences, prompting her to rethink the use of certain medications for women during their periods.
“There were no clinical trials addressing these critical issues back in 2011,” Dr Matar emphasized, underscoring the urgent need for gender-specific research. This realization ignited her advocacy for such studies, significantly impacting genetic disorder research within the UAE’s population.
In this rewritten article, the focus has been maintained on women’s health issues, insights from experts, and the ongoing work in the UAE, all structured with appropriate headings and paragraphs for better readability and SEO optimization.
