Advancing Excellence in Women’s Healthcare: The 10th MENA Women’s Health Congress and Regional Initiatives
The 10th MENA Women’s Health Congress returns as the region’s premier platform dedicated to advancing excellence in women’s healthcare. Celebrating a decade of impact, this landmark edition brings together a distinguished faculty of regional and international experts to address the most pressing challenges and innovations in women’s health—from reproductive medicine to gynecologic oncology and beyond. This year’s congress will deliver an immersive and multidisciplinary scientific program that combines hands-on workshops, evidence-based lectures, case discussions, and engaging Q&A sessions.
Strategic National Health Policies
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has announced that preparations are currently underway to draft a national policy to enhance women's health by providing tailored healthcare within a unified, multisectoral national framework, in collaboration with strategic partners. This initiative aims to support the UAE’s efforts being made to deliver the best physical and psychological healthcare services for women through health policies tailored to address the unique health needs of women throughout every phase of their lives.
The new policy will be built based on core values such as:
- Leadership support and governance
- Gender equality in health
- A holistic life cycle approach to health
- A dedication to quality and inclusivity in women's health services
Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, stated that women's health is not just an integral part of this vision but a testament to our nation's commitment to its people. The development of a national policy is a reflection of the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who believes in the indomitable role of women in sculpting future generations.
Gender Balance and Mainstreaming
Gender Balance is defined as an equitable distribution of life's opportunities and resources between women and men. To achieve this, gender mainstreaming is implemented as a process through which gender perspectives and needs are given attention across policy development, legislative change, planning, and programming.
Guiding Principles for Health and Policy
- Aim for equity of opportunity and outcomes for men and women, across the lifecycle.
- Anticipate and prepare for trends, threats, and opportunities to ensure all efforts are innovative, sustainable, and progress-oriented.
- Continue upward trajectory in regional and global rankings in a measurable way.
- Co-design with key partners across government and the private sector to ensure gender mainstreaming is embedded across policy areas.
- Prioritize knowledge, research, and data from diverse sources as basis of all policy reform.
Regional Health and Well-being Trends
In the Middle East, TGM Research reveals a significant shift toward prioritizing health and well-being, reshaping priorities and influencing sectors from healthcare to technology. This change reflects a deeper cultural shift where health and well-being are becoming as significant as economic stability.
| Region | Demographic Focus | Key Health Trends |
|---|---|---|
| UAE | Emirati Women | Leading in health prioritization; demand for personalized dietary solutions and nutritional tracking apps. |
| Saudi Arabia | Youth (Aged 18-24) | 43% rank health as their top concern, driving growth in fitness and mobile health applications. |
| Egypt | Middle-Aged (Aged 40-55) | Balancing health concerns with financial stability; increased demand for health insurance and accessible care. |
Specialized Educational Workshops
The congress provides a unique opportunity for clinicians and researchers to enhance their clinical skills through dedicated sessions, including:
- Breast Imaging for the Gynecologist and Breast Clinic Workshop
- Laparoscopy Workshop
As the region prepares for the 10th Annual MENA Women’s Health Congress in Dubai, the focus remains on closing the economic gender gap and ensuring all physical, mental, and preventive health supports are gender-equitable.