HealthBeats

In this powerful episode, Dr. Summia Samir Zaher, Chief Executive Officer of Women and Children’s Care at Global Patient Care, M42, opens up about her deeply personal journey into the world of women’s health and the systemic gaps she’s determined to change.Coming from a family of doctors, her ambition was sparked early. But it was her discovery of a troubling truth that shaped her purpose: for decades, most medical research, training, and clinical studies have been based on male patients, leaving female health vastly underrepresented. Even cadaver studies, she notes, have overwhelmingly focused on the male body forcing today’s medicine to play catch-up when it comes to understanding women’s physiology.With passion and precision, Dr. Zaher shares what it means to lead for women, by women, and how M42 is paving the way for evidence-based, gender-aware care that recognises and responds to the needs of half the world’s population.

In the 40th episode of #HealthBeats, Methven Forbes, Group Chief Executive Officer of Fuller and Forbes Healthcare Group and a global authority in primary care, explores the evolving role of primary care as the “front door” of every health system.Methven discusses how primary care is expanding beyond traditional clinical roles to become the central point of contact between health systems and citizens. He highlights the importance of educating GPs to take on broader responsibilities, leveraging data collection systems, and integrating technology to enable a more proactive, patient-centered approach.The conversation also delves into the global shift from hospital to home-based care, exploring how this transformation impacts primary care delivery, and the systems that enable clinicians to access patient data efficiently. Methven shares insights on the challenges faced by the NHS, barriers to implementing best practices, and whether the UK is keeping pace with innovations emerging in the Middle East.This episode offers a deep dive into how primary care can be fit for the future, supporting healthier populations and resilient healthcare systems worldwide. ​

In this episode, Iskra Reic, Executive Vice President, International at AstraZeneca, unpacks what it takes to build strong health systems that meet the needs of people, society, and the planet – today and tomorrow – amid surging inequities, non-communicable diseases, and climate pressures.She highlights how AstraZeneca, through science and innovation, is taking action to strengthen health systems with programmes that close healthcare gaps, accelerate digital solutions, and forge strategic regional partnerships – including an expanding collaboration with Abu Dhabi. Iskra also explains why climate change is the most pressing threat to global health and the urgent need to decarbonise health systems.This episode calls on governments, industry, and healthcare leaders to take bold collective action for a healthier, more sustainable future.

In this episode, Dr. Momen M. Wahidi, Health Systems Director of Interventional Pulmonology at Northwestern Medicine, joins us for a candid conversation about their newly signed partnership at Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week 2025 and what it means for the future of patient care and innovation in the region.Dr. Wahidi shares Northwestern’s mission to deliver state-of-the-art, holistic healthcare, backed by evidence-based research and world-class clinical practice. He speaks openly about the value of collaboration and mutual learning, highlighting what drew them to Abu Dhabi and the mindset shift required to achieve exceptional results through international partnerships.The conversation also touches on the legacy of COVID-19, what it taught the world, how it's reshaped healthcare strategy, and why preparing for the next pandemic must be smarter and more unified than ever.

In this episode, we’re joined by Jim Campbell, Director of Health Workforce at the World Health Organization (WHO), for a thought-provoking conversation about the global mission to deliver universal health coverage for everyone, everywhere.Jim reflects on WHO’s founding purpose: ensuring that people across low-, middle-, and high-income countries, including the most vulnerable groups, have access to essential health services. But in today’s world, it’s not just diseases that threaten that mission. From climate change and natural disasters to rapid turnover in global health leadership--ministers of health changing every 19 months on average--the challenge of building consistent, sustainable policy is immense.Jim shares insights into how WHO navigates these complexities while remaining grounded in evidence, science, and consensus-building. With 194 member states, 6 regional offices, and a deeply collaborative structure, WHO acts as both a science-led institution and a political platform, balancing difference with unity, and data with diplomacy.Tune in to understand what it takes to shape global health policy in a rapidly evolving world and why, for Jim, building consensus is both a privilege and a necessity.

Join us as we dive into the cutting-edge world of omics and its potential to transform healthcare in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Our expert guest will unravel how genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics are ushering in a new era of personalised medicine, preventive care, and targeted therapies. Discover how these revolutionary technologies are not just improving patient outcomes but also reshaping healthcare policies, infrastructure, and economies across the GCC. From tackling region-specific health challenges to positioning the GCC as a global biotech hub, this episode promises to be an enlightening journey into the future of healthcare.

In this episode of #HealthBeats, Hein van Eck, Regional CEO of Mediclinic Middle East, shares how his organisation has redefined what it means to deliver healthcare in a world moving steadily toward value-based care.Hein takes us inside Mediclinic’s transformation, from modest beginnings to becoming one of the region’s most integrated healthcare systems. He explains how the organisation built a strong foundation by attracting quality medical professionals, layering in electronic health records, developing digital interfaces with patients, and forming key partnerships, including with the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi.At the core of this journey is a firm belief in the power of prevention. From screening programmes and genetic labs to precision medicine, Hein highlights how Mediclinic is contributing to the UAE’s national mission: putting prevention at the centre of healthcare for a healthier, more productive society.

Mehdi Ghissassi, Chief Product Officer at AI 71, discusses how generative AI is reshaping healthcare, from easing the burden on administrative staff to improving communication between patients and healthcare providers. He shares insights into the practical applications AI 71 is developing and how these innovations are already delivering tangible benefits.The conversation highlights AI as one of the most scientific and transformative endeavours of our time, with healthcare as a key domain where its impact is deeply human. Mehdi reflects on whether the rapid growth of AI has aligned with his expectations and reveals some of the most surprising developments he has encountered along the way.A compelling look at the intersection of technology and healthcare and what lies ahead.

In this powerful conversation, Dr Zain Ali Al Yafei, CEO of Sakina, an asset of PureHealth, shares how they are transforming mental health care in Abu Dhabi, one citizen at a time, through the innovative Pura app.Dr Zain discusses the growing recognition that mental health is just as vital as physical health, and how leadership in the UAE is embracing this holistic approach to wellbeing. He explores how the government's commitment is enabling mental health support not only for individuals, but also at an organisational level, contributing to happier workplaces, improved quality of life, and ultimately, a stronger national economy.Tune in to learn how technology, leadership vision, and cultural shifts are converging to prioritise mental wellness in the region like never before.

In this visionary episode, Reenita Das, Partner & Senior Vice President at Frost & Sullivan, unpacks the urgent shift from reactive "sickcare" systems to proactive, outcome-driven healthcare. She introduces the concept of wellness insurance a model that focuses on keeping people well through preventive screenings and early intervention, rather than just treating illness after it strikes.Reenita dives into the consumerisation of healthcare, forecasting how wearable tech, personalised insights, and everyday data will reshape how we manage health over the next 15–20 years. One of her biggest ambitions? Making health risk screenings universal accessible to everyone, not just the privileged few.She also raises awareness around the growing challenge of ADHD, advocating for a future-ready system that’s resilient, inclusive, and better equipped to support neurodivergent individuals. Drawing on a major recent study she led, Reenita also shares key lessons from countries best prepared for future pandemics and the global playbook for emergency preparedness we urgently need to adopt.And that’s just the beginning this conversation is packed with bold ideas, expert insights, and a call to reimagine healthcare as we know it.