News DeskDubai, UAE – The newly launched Women’s Health Leadership Forum took center stage today at Medlab Middle East, with Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Former Minister in the UAE Government, delivering an inspiring inaugural address. The forum, a landmark addition to the region’s largest medical laboratory exhibition, aims to advance women’s healthcare by showcasing cutting-edge innovations, addressing key challenges, and fostering collaboration to enhance diagnostic capabilities tailored to women’s specific health needs.
Speaking to an audience of laboratory and healthcare professionals, Sheikha Lubna emphasized the importance of women’s health as a cornerstone of societal progress. “Health is the foundation upon which all other aspects of life are built – our careers, our families, and our ambitions. Yet, women around the world continue to face significant barriers to receiving the healthcare they need and deserve,” she stated. She called for women to be active participants in shaping healthcare policies, leading medical innovations, and advocating for solutions that address their unique needs.
The forum brought together female leaders from laboratories, healthcare, and the pharmaceutical industry to highlight the latest advancements and challenges in women’s health. Discussions focused on the transformative role of diagnostic tools in early detection, prevention, and treatment of conditions such as breast cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and reproductive health disorders. Speakers also explored how personalised medicine is revolutionising hormonal and chronic disease management for women.
Dr. Kadria Sayed, Consultant in Anatomical and Clinical Pathology and Chief of the Pathology and Laboratory Department at the American Hospital in Dubai, chaired the forum. She was joined by global leaders in women’s health, including keynote speaker Dr. Ritu Nayar, Vice Chair of Education and Faculty Development at Northwestern University. Dr. Nayar’s address focused on cervical cancer, the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, and the critical role of primary HPV screening in early detection and prevention.
“Every year, over 350,000 women die globally from cervical cancer, a disease that can be prevented,” Dr. Nayar said. She highlighted her work with the American Cancer Society to promote primary HPV screening as a key component of cervical cancer prevention, stressing the importance of proactive screening to reduce incidence and mortality rates.
The Women’s Health Leadership Forum is part of Medlab Middle East, which continues until 6 February at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event features over 800 exhibitors from more than 40 countries, including country pavilions from Austria, Brazil, China, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the USA.
Tomorrow, the focus will shift to the Precision Medicine Leadership Forum, where experts will discuss innovations in genetics, personalised healthcare, and targeted therapies. The forum will explore how genetic profiles can be used to create tailored healthcare solutions and the latest advancements in therapies targeting specific genetic markers.
Under the theme ‘Empowering today’s laboratories for tomorrow’s future,’ Medlab Middle East 2025 continues to serve as a global platform for advancing healthcare innovation and collaboration.
