Dr.LeilaSoudah CEO
DLSClinic
Pen Editor’s From The
Pearl Shaw
Women Leaders Building Trust in Healthcare
Healthcarestoriesareoftentoldthroughoutcomesandstatistics,
yetthetruestmeasureofprogressisfoundinhowpeoplefeel whentheyseekhelp.Thiseditioncentersonleadershipthat placesdignity,trust,andcompassionattheheartofcare.Acrossthe region,womenleadersareshapingspaceswheresciencemeetsempathy, andwherepatientsareseennotascases,butasindividualswithvoices, choices,andlivedrealities.
Withinthesepages,readerswillencounternarrativesthatquestionlongheldassumptionsinmedicineandwellness.Thefocusextendsbeyond clinicsandboardroomsintohomes,workplaces,andcommunities,where conversationsaboutwell-beingstillfacehesitation.Byhighlighting initiativesgroundedinrespectandopenness,thisissuereflectsashared beliefthatcareshouldsupportbothbodyandmind,whilealsoaddressing socialbarriersthatpreventpeoplefromseekingsupport.
Thisvisioncomestogetherin Top Women Leaders Transforming Arab Healthcare in 2025,an Insights Care editionthatcelebratescourage guidedbycare.Thestoriesgatheredhereshowhowthoughtful leadershipcanreplacefearwithconfidenceandsilencewith understanding.Eachfeatureaffirmsthatprogressdoesnotrelyon authorityalone,butonlistening,humility,andasteadycommitmentto people’sneeds.
Thecoverstoryprofilesaclinicleaderwhoseworkhasbecomeasource ofhopeforwomenseekingattentiveandrespectfulcare.Herapproach combinesadvancedtreatmentwithgentleness,creatingconfidenceand trust.
Hope you find inspiration, reflection, and renewed belief in care that truly listens.
The Front Page Exclusive
Dr.
The Within Story
The Woman Who Says ‘You Can Do It’ to Every Patient
Crafting Tech-Driven Mental Wellness Communities that Thrive
Industry Insights
Why Women Driving Healthcare are Key to Solving Global Health Crises Effectively
Measuring and Enhancing Clinical Excellence with Data-Driven Quality Improvement Initiatives
Credits
Top Women Leaders Transforming Arab Healthcare in 2025
Aisha Abdulla Al Mulla Director
Dr. Leila Soudah CEO
Dr. Vineta Bhalla Chief Medical Officer
Sandra Salame Founder
Sevgi Ozalp Vice President & General Manager Featuring Person
Friends Of Cancer Pa ents focp.ae
DLS Clinic dlsclinic.com
Deloi e deloi e.com
Siira siira.me
IQVIA iqvia.com
Brief
Aisha leads humanitarian efforts in cancer advocacy, driving awareness campaigns, financial aid, emo onal counseling, policy reforms, and community programs for early detec on and holis c pa ent support.
Dr. Leila specializes in obstetrics, gynecology, an -aging, regenera ve medicine, and holis c women's health treatments, including weight loss programs and personalized hormone therapies.
Dr. Vineta spearheads healthcare strategy, opera ons, and digital transforma on, advising on chronic care, outbreak management, integrated systems, and pa entcentered innova ons across public and private sectors.
Sandra champions mental well-being through group sessions, workshops, and educa onal content, comba ng s gma and fostering community support across the MENA region for Arabic speakers.
Sevgi drives data analy cs and technology innova ons in health and pharmaceu cals. She champions pa ent-centered solu ons through AI, machine learning, and strategic data insights for industry decision-making.
Organiza on
CEO | DLS Clinic
The Woman Who Says ‘You Can Do It’ to Every Patient
Theylivedthroughwars,enduredpoverty,and
createdhospitalsandclinicsoutofnothing. WomenleadersintheArabworldtodayare changinghealthcareonelife,onepatient,oneempowered womanatatime.Theyareredefiningnotonlyhow healthcareispracticed,butalsohowwomenareperceived, listened,andtreatedinasocietythatfrequentlydisregards them.
Standingoutamongtheseleadersisaphysicianwhohas turnedalifeofstruggleintoalifeofpurpose.Having survivedwar,financialchallengesandthedifficultiesof raisingchildrenasasinglemother,shebuiltaclinicfrom thegroundupandleadswithempathyandcare.
Oneofsuchrarepeople,whopracticeshervaluesinher everydaylife,isDr.LeilaSoudah,theCEOof DLSClinic.Herclinicisalighttowomen’shealthcare,an integrationofthelatesttreatmentwithtenderness, confidenceandrespect.However,outsideoftheclinic,her voicecomeswithapurposetoempowerwomen,tobreak thebiasinmedicine,andtodemonstratethatrealleadership isnotaboutdominance,buthumility
Let’s see how Dr. Soudah turns personal struggle into a mission to empower women and improve healthcare!
BuiltfromtheGroundUp
ForDr.Soudah,thepathtoleadershipbegannotin boardroomsormedicalschoolsbutinthecrucibleof survival.“IstartedworkinginGermanyat18tobeableto eat,topaymyunionfees,andtoaffordasmallroomtolive in.Ihadzerofinancialsupport,”sherecalls.Shehadleft Jordan,escapingwar,afterlivingthroughtwoconflictsasa child.Outofthisturbulence,sheforgedresilience.
Fromthoseearlyyears,sheadoptedamantrathatcontinues todefineherleadership:“girl,youcandothehelloutof this.Youcandoit.Thereisnothingformecalled impossible.”Thisspiritbecamethewayshemotivatednot justherselfbutalsoherpatients.Assheputsit,“Yougot cancer?Youcandoit,girl.Yougotsomethingwrong?You candoit,girl.”
Toher,leadershipisnotabouthierarchybutempowerment. “Myfirstjobisempoweringpeople.Empoweringwomen, womeninfirstplace,becauseinmyopinion,womenisnot halfofthesociety,theyarethesociety.
Withoutwomen,thereisnouterus,thereisnopregnancy.So thismademypracticeverymuchwoman-oriented,humanityoriented.”
Shelivesthisbeliefindailyinteractionswithherstaff.One ofhermosttellingstoriesisthatofherformercleaninglady Recognizingherpotential,Dr.Soudahencouragedhergrowth untilshebecameherrighthandintheclinic.“Hersalary wentup,jumpedlikeintothesky.Herqualityoflifeisbetter. Shegotrecentlyababyandshecansupportherbaby.Thisis theleadership.”
Forher,theroleofabossisnevertoabuseauthority.Instead, sheensuresheremployeesarenotoverworkedandthat respectisparamount.Assheputsit:“Leadershipishumanity Leadershipisnot,IamthepresidentofacountryandIuse mypowerandmymoneytokillanothercountry.Humanity. Baby,children.Thisisleadership.Theotheroneisbad leadership.It’sapsychopathleadership.”
AMother’sJourney
Raisingherchildrenasasinglemotherwhilebuildingher clinicprofoundlyshapedherasaphysician.“Asasingle mom,thisincreasedmyrespecttowomen.Thisletsmebe moretransparentandmoresensitivewithherbecauseshe mightgothroughwhatIwentthrough.Shemightcomeone dayandbesingle.”
Thisempathytranslatesdirectlyintohercare.Shespends timepreparingwomenformotherhoodinwaysfewothers do.Manyofherpatientsadmitthatnoonehadpreparedthem fortherealitiesofmotherhood,andDr.Soudahconsidersit partofhermissiontofillthatgap—notonlyforpatientsbut alsoforherowndaughtersandyoungwomensheencounters.
Herphilosophyextendstoteachingotherdoctors.When lecturingtogynecologists,sheemphasizesempathy:“deal withyourwomanassheisyourbabyandyouhavetotake careofher,teachher,leadher,letherbestrongtogothrough thebirth.”
Shedoesnotshyawayfromcontroversialviews,including herbeliefthatmenshouldnotpracticegynecology.“When youtellthepatient,push,youneedtoknowwhatitmeansto pushababyoutofyourprivateparts.Itwillputyoursoulout ofyourheart.It’snotthatjoke.”Thisconvictionisnotabout exclusionbutaboutlivedempathy;thebeliefthatwomen deservecarefromthosewhocantrulyunderstandtheir experience.
“As a single mom, this increased my respect to women. This lets me be more transparent and more sensitive with her because she might go through what I went through. She might come one day and be single.”
“Her salary went up, jumped like into the sky. Her quality of life is better. She got recently a baby and she can support her baby. This is the leadership.”
Heradvocacyforwomenextendsfarbeyondtheclinic.She hasstoodwithpatientsincourt,evencancelingflightsand closingherclinictotestifyontheirbehalfincustodybattles anddivorcecases.Inonecase,shesworeontheQuranto providetestimonydefendingawomanwhohadendured infertilitytreatmentsandmorethan300injectionsbefore conceiving,onlytosufferbrutalabusefromherhusband. “Hebrokeherhipswithhisleg,”sherecalls,hervoice weightedwiththememory.Shetoldthejudge:thiswasnot abadmotherorwife,butawomanwhohadfought tirelesslytobecomeone.
EmpathyfromChildhoodStruggles
MuchofDr.Soudah’scompassionisrootedinherown childhoodtrauma.Asachildofthree,sherememberseating stonesbecauseshewassohungry.Hermotherfoundheron theroofoftheirhome,pickingsmallstonesfromthewall andswallowingthem.Yearslater,atherapistexplainedthat herbodywascravingcalcium.
Thishauntingstoryshapedherempathy.“Iatestones.Iwas threeyearsoldbecauseIcollected,mybodywastellingme calcium.Canyouimaginethebodytellthebrainandthe personwalkanddothejob?”Itiswhysheseessoquickly whenyoungpatientspresentwitheatingdisordersor unusualbehaviors,hermindinstantlyconnectsthedotsto possibletrauma,abuse,orneglect.
Herhardshipsdidnotendinchildhood.Shehasendured threebacksurgeries,yeteveninrecoverysheturned difficultyintoopportunity.“InbetweenIdidanew diploma.IsaidIamsittingathome,Ineedtobebusy.SoI startedstudyingagainallabouthormone,bioidentical hormonepeptideandhadanewdiplomawithgreat distinction.”
Hermessagetoherstaffreflectsthisphilosophy Yes,she mayraisehervoiceattimes,butshebalancesitwithcare, offeringultrasoundsforemployees’pregnanciesorleaving spaceforthemtospeakopenly.Sheleadswithrespect, humility,anddialogue.
TheBiasinMedicine
Medicine,inherview,remainsdeeplyunfairtowomen. “Clarifiedshemeantmedicineisbiased,notbeast.”While menhavehadtestosteronetherapiesforoveracentury, women’shormonaltherapiesremainunderdeveloped. Womencarrytheburdenof25–30contraceptiveoptions, whilemenhaveonlycondoms.
Toooften,women’sconcernsaredismissed.Menopauseis brushedasideas“normal,”whilemen’sissuesare addressedquicklyandeffectively.Shepushesagainstthis biasinherpractice,particularlyinareasofsexuality, fertility,andmenopause.Herworkrestoreshealth,dignity, andevenmarriages.
Shestronglycriticizestheriseofcosmeticgynecological proceduresmarketedtowomen.Theso-called“Barbie vagina,”sheargues,issexistandprofit-driven.Her guidanceisclear:womenshouldundergoproceduresonly forthemselves,neverforthesatisfactionofothers.
RedefiningTransformation
In2025,“transformativeleadership”hasbecomeavery commonphrase.Yet,Dr.Soudahinsists,realtransformation israre.Sherejectsthetrendofsuperficialtransformations likecosmeticsurgeriesthatexploitratherthanempower women.
Truetransformation,shebelieves,comesfrom empowerment,dignity,andjustice.Shedenouncesthe brandingofdoctorsas“vaginadoctors”andstandsfirmly forcorrectivesurgeriesonlywhenmedicallynecessary,not asfashiontrends.
CreatingaHealingSpace
Herclinicreflectsherphilosophyinbothspiritanddesign. Recently,shetransformeditintoamorefeminine,warm, andhome-likeenvironment,onewherepatientsandstaff feelsafe,calm,andvalued.
Shehasintegratedadvancedtherapiessuchasozone therapy,oxygentherapy,andred/infraredlighttherapy Theseinnovationssupportnotjustrecoverybutlong-term healthandwell-being,aligningwithherpreventive approachtomedicine.
Lookingahead,sheaimstoexpandherteachingglobally, withlecturesalreadydeliveredinBucharest,Cairo,and Qatar.Herfocusisonbioidenticalhormones,regenerative medicine,andpreventivehealthcare.Hervision:reducing dependencyonhospitalsbyaddressingchronicdiseases beforetheybegin.
AMissionBeyondMedicine
Hermissionreachesfarbeyondtheclinic.Shewantsto “changetheworld”inhowitviewswomen,children,and humanity.Heranti-warstanceisclear,particularly regardingthePalestinianexperienceofoccupation.She advocatesforcompassionnotonlytowardpeoplebutalso towardanimals,reflectingheruniversalsenseofempathy.
Leadership,forher,isinstinctive,likewhenshesaveda womanfromaseizureonaflight. S S
Compassionateleadershipisalsoreflectedinhowshe deliversbabies,emphasizinggentle,skin-to-skincare.
Herbroadermissionisalsocapturedinherwriting.Sheis workingonseveralbooks:herbiography,aworkonchild andwomenabuse,abookonindependenceforwomen,her personaljourneywithbreastcancer,andresearchonreverse agingandpreventivemedicine.Eachprojectextendsher visionofempowermentandhealingtoaglobalaudience.
LookingAhead
ThenextfiveyearsforDLSClinicandwomen’shealthcare intheregionwillseeexpansionintherapies,teaching,and globaladvocacy.Moreimportantly,theywillreflect Dr.Soudah’sunwaveringbeliefthathealthcareshouldbe aboutprevention,empowerment,andhumanity
Herstoryisnotjustaboutmedicinebutaboutleadershipin itstruestform:leadershipashumility,respect,and empowerment.Asshecontinuestosharehervisionwiththe world,shecloseswiththesamewarmthsheoffersher patients;expressingloveandrespectforthosewhohelpher carryhermessageforward.
Inanagewhentransformationisoftenequatedwith trendiness,Dr.Soudahremindsusthattruetransformation isdeeplyhuman.Itisaboutresilience,empowerment,and buildingabetterfutureforwomen,children,andsocietyas awhole.
www.insightscaremagazine.com
Theglobalhealthcrisessuchaspandemics,maternal
deaths,malnutritionandaccesstocare,whichare low,continuetoposehealthchallengesinthe healthsystemsallovertheworld.Theresolutiontothese issuesisthroughleadership,understandingandpragmatic solutionsdependingonthedemandsofthecommunity. Womendrivinghealthcareisanecessaryaspectofcreating effectivesolutionstosuchproblemsbecausetheyhavethe potentialtoofferauniqueperspectiveandexperienceand leadershipapproachesthatempowerhealthcaresystemsat alllevels.
Oneofthereasonswhywomendrivinghealthcareisa significantissueisthatitisdirectlyconnectedtopatients andcommunities.Frontlinehealthcareemployeeswho includenurses,midwives,andcommunityhealthworkers, arealargenumberoffemaleemployees.Thepositions placethematthemidwaypointofpatientcarewherethey areconversantwithissuesthataffectindividualsinthereal worldsuchasaccessbarriers,culturalbeliefs,andsocial differences.Thiscanbeappliedthroughsuchexperiencein ordertodeveloprealisticandinclusivehealthsolutions.
Theotherstrongpointofwomenbeingthedrivingforce behindhealthcareistheirpreventivecareandlong-term outcomes.Womenleadershavebeenidentifiedtobemore gearedtowardseducation,earlyinterventionandpublic healthinterventions.Suchapproachesareofutmost importanceduringtheglobalhealthpandemicwhenitwill bepossibletosavelivesbymeansofpreventionand awarenessandreducetheburdenonhealthcaresystems. Withthehelpofwomenleaders,thecommunitiescanbe strongeragainstwomen-relatedissuesbecausepreventionis thekey
Leadershipdiversityisanotherfactorthatissignificantin solvingthecomplexhealthproblems.Nursingwomenin thehealthsectorprovidediversityregardingleadership stylesthatcouldbeabletovaluecooperation,exchange, andopenness.Theseattributescanbehelpfulinbuilding theconfidenceinthehealthcareteams,policymakers,and thecommunityinthecrisistime.Religiosityplaysa significantroleinenhancingtheacceptanceofvaccines, followingtheinstructionsofthelocalhealthinstitutionsand advancinghealtheducationprogramsinthecommunity.
care,skilledbirthcareandpostnataltreatments.Their leadershiphelpsfillthecaregapsthathavebeenexperienced withinthevulnerablepopulations.
Innovationisanotherchangethatwomendrivinghealthcare isforcedtobring.Womenleadersareusingtechnologyto reachunderservedpopulationsbydevelopingdigitalhealth solutionsanddevelopingtelemedicine.Theinnovationscan bequitebeneficialintheinternationalcriseswhenthe physicalaccesstomedicalservicesmaybelimited.They createpatient-centeredcaretechnologyandcombinethetwo increatingflexibleandeffectivesolutions.
Healthcareisalsoledbywomenintermsofpolicyand decision-making.Theapproachtohealthwillbemore gender-focusedandsocialdeterminantsofhealthincase womenareincludedinleadershipandpolicy-making. Inclusivepolicieswillimprovecareaccessibility,protect healthcareprofessionals,andimprovehealthsystemsoverall. Womenleaderscanbehandyinensuringthathealthpolicies becomemoreresponsivetotherealitythatisfacedby differentpeople.
Thewomendrivinghealthcarearegenerallyeffective communityleveladvocatesandteachers.Theyalsoestablish awarenessprograms,healthybehaviorpromotionandassist inthevaccinationprograms.Theywouldbeableto communicateeasilyandcreaterelationshipsthatwillaidin theprocessofeliminatingmisinformationandfearamong thepopulationincaseofhealthcrises.Thepopulationhasa goodcommunitytrustthatcanbeleveragedtoimprovethe healthoutcomesofthepopulation.
Despitetheseattempts,thewomendrivinghealthcarestill facesuchchallengesasinequalitiesinremuneration,thelack ofleadershippositions,andunderrepresentationinthe decision-makingcycle.Thesegapsshouldbefilledsoasto havebetterhealthsystemsglobally.Educating,mentoring, andleadingwomenwiththepurposeofassistingthemin theirpotentialwillunlocktheirfullpotentialandincreasethe responsetothecrisiswork.
Inconclusion,theexistenceofwomendrivinghealthcareis centralineliminatinghealthdisasterintheworld.Havinga leadership,compassion,innovation,andbeingconnectedto thecommunitycanbeusedtoaddresskeyhealthcare deliveryandpolicygaps.Inthefuture,theglobalhealth communityinanattempttogivewomenavoiceand empowerthemcancomeupwithmoreeffective,fair,and lastingsolutionstothechallenges.
Womendrivinghealthcareareonthecoalfaceinthequest toimprovethehealthcareofmothersandchildreninthe majorityofregions.Maternalmortalityisamajorproblem intheglobeanditismostlyprevalentinlowresource settings.Womenleadersareconsciousofthehighrisks facingmothersandchildrenandencouragebetterprenatal - Pearl Shaw
Mentalhealthisstillahiddenstruggleinmanyparts of the Middle East, surrounded by silence and shame. Sandra Salame is changing this with Siira, a platform she created to help people connect, understandtheirfeelings,andhealtogether Basedonherown experience,SandrafoundedSiiratoofferrealsupportbeyond therapy. She combines expert advice, community care, and technology to make mental health easy to access and free of judgment. Siira helps thousands of people every month, working with both individuals and companies across the region.
By focusing on emotional health at home, work, and in communities, Sandra is leading a movement that makes mentalhealthsomethingweallshareandsupport.Hervision isafuturewherenoonehastofacetheirstrugglesalone,and kindnessandcareguidewell-beingacrosstheMiddleEast.
Let’sdelveintotheinterviewdetailsbelow!
Sandra, can you share your personal journey and the inspiration behind founding Siira and what gap you set outtofillinthehealthcarelandscape?
Siira,or“Lifejourney”inArabic,startedwithmyownstory. Afew years ago, I went through personal struggles. I didn’t talktoanyoneaboutitandkeptmoving,working,thinkingI hadtoholditalltogetheruntilIcouldn’tanymore.Ihitapoint where everything felt too heavy, and that’s when I finally reachedoutfortherapy ItwasonlythenthatIrealized:Ihad waitedtoolong.
Likesomanyothers,Ididn’tknowthesigns.Ouremotional strugglesunfoldbehindcloseddoorsquietlyandinvisibly We
Crafting
Tech-Driven Mental Wellness Communities that Thrive
are not taught how to care for our emotional well-being.We oftenlackthelanguage,thetools,oreventheawarenessthat whatwecarryisn’tourstocarryalone.
Siira was my response to that realization As a tech entrepreneur, I felt a deep responsibility to build something tangible, something that responded with empathy, science, and real-world tools. Siira became a platform where emotional struggles are not hidden but heard, where people could start learning about themselves, find their community, andknowthattheyarenotalone.
Because wellness doesn’t begin in a therapist’s office. It begins in our homes, our workplaces, our relationships and most importantly, in how we learn to relate to others and to ourselves.
How has Siira evolved since its inception, and what have beenthedefiningmomentsormilestonesinyourjourney sofar?
Siira is a female-led enterprise, born from lived experience, run by a team of passionate women experts in the field of mentalhealth.
Siiraisbuiltontwopillars:Thefirstrootedinsocialimpact, and the second in corporate collaboration Together, supporting over 20,000 individuals every month across the MiddleEast.
On the community side, we offer free mental health support through our platform to those who need it the most. This includes psychoeducational sessions led by experts where userscanasktheirquestionsanonymously,aswellassupport
“Siira became a platform where emotional struggles are not hidden but heard, where people could start learning about themselves, find their community, and know that they are not alone.”
groups for cancer patients and their families, teachers, mothers,traumasurvivors,andevenparentswhohavelosta child. We also offer free one-on-one emotional guidance sessionsfor30minuteswithalicensedmentalhealthexpert. Itisaccessible,stigma-free,andbasedonsharedstruggles.
All of this is funded by the second pillar of our work: Our partnerships with corporates, multinationals, public and private sector entities, and forward-thinking government bodiesacrosstheGCC.Theseorganizationsnotonlybelieve in our mission but have placed employee well-being at the forefrontoftheirpriorities.Throughourcorporateprograms, we deliver transformative well-being experiences in the workplace, creating micro-communities based on learning journeys covering themes like financial well-being, health awareness,focus,andproductivity
Akeymilestonewasbeingrecognizedasthe Most Innovative Mental Well-being Company in the Middle East by Mentl in 2025.Another one was forming a strategic partnership with CosmicCentaurs,theregion’sonlycertifiedfirmfocusedon psychologicalsafetyandculturaltransformation.
But the milestones that matter most to us are quiet and personal:aburned-outteacherwhofoundroomtobreathe,a grievingparentwhofinallyfeltheld,ayoungemployeewho learnedtospeakupforthefirsttime.
HowisSiirauniquelypositionedtoaddresssomeofthese issues,especiallyfromamentalwellnessandholisticcare perspective?
Our work is based on the latest research in social and behavioral sciences, especially social learning. We design programs that target three key areas: Organizational culture, leadershipbehavior,andindividualwell-being.Thegoalisto drive real behavioral change across teams and throughout leadership.
We use collective learning methods to make our programs more effective, increasing learning and user retention. By creating small peer communities within companies, we encourage shared learning, reflection, and support This approach helps embed well-being into daily routines and makeslong-termculturalchangemoreachievable.
What role does technology or innovation play in Siira’s model,andhowdoyouseeitshapingthefutureofcarein theregion?
Technology began as a practical enabler, helping us scale delivery, maintain user anonymity, and reach broader audiences.Overtime,ithasbecomeacorepillarofourmodel. Today,weoperatededicatedmobileapplicationsthatnotonly expandaccessbutalsosupportstructuredlearningandskillbuildinginmentalhealthandemotionalwell-being.
WearenowadvancingourplatformswithAI-drivenfeatures that analyze emotional patterns and deliver personalized learningjourneysinrealtime.Theseincludeinteractivetools suchasrole-playandscenario-basedsimulationstohelpusers navigatereal-lifechallenges.
Centraltothisevolutionistheintentionalscalingoflearning communitieswhereusersengage,reflect,andgrowtogether.
Can you tell us about any strategic partnerships or community initiatives Siira has engaged in that reflect yourbroadervision?
Strategicpartnershipsandcommunityengagementareatthe heart of our mission. This year, we have partnered with Cosmic Centaurs to deliver Arabic-certified psychological safety programs across organizations in the region and are
collaborating with the Lebanese American University to strengthen our AI architecture and integrate AI into our learningpathways.
Onthecommunityside,wecollaboratewithNGOstosupport cancer patients and their families with emotional guidance andgroupsessions.Wearealsoactiveintheeducationspace offering free support to teachers, parents, and schools to fosteremotionalresilienceinyoungpeople.
Lookingahead,what’snextforSiirain2025andbeyond? Are there new programs, expansions, or innovations we canexpecttosee?
Siira’s growth is focused on expanding impact across the MiddleEast,particularlyinSaudiArabiaandtheUAE,where our work aligns with national well-being strategies. We’re committed to delivering community-based mental health support, not only in high-investment regions but also in underservedareasliketheLevantwherestigmaremainshigh andsystemicsupportislimited.
Our goal is to shift mental health from a “nice to have” to a non-negotiable part of organizational and societal infrastructure. Looking ahead, we plan to engage in policy advocacy,includingeffortstopromotetheMinistryofFamily Affairs -where needed- in order to focus on early childhood development, school-based prevention, and stronger social supportsystems.
Finally, what advice would you offer to aspiring healthcare entrepreneurs and changemakers in the MENAregion who want to lead with purpose and create lastingimpact?
The road is not easy and it is not meant to be.There will be doubt,setbacks,andmomentsofrealchallenge.Buttherewill alsobeimmensegrowth.Intheend,itisnot aboutthejourney andnoteventhedestination,itisaboutwhoyoubecomeinthe process.
My advice: Start from a cause that truly moves you, somethingyouaredeeplyobsessedwith.Purposealoneisn’t enough unless it’s personal because when things get tough (andtheywill),onlygenuineconvictionwillkeepyougoing.
Measuring and Enhancing ClinicalExcellence with Data-Driven Quality Improvement Initiatives
Thehealthcaresettinginthe
contemporaryworlddoesnotrely solelyonexperienceorintuitionwhen itcomestoprovidinghigh-qualitycare. Clinicalexcellencehasbecomeamore measurableandachievablegoalwhichis payingmoreattentioninhealthcare organizations.Thisinvolvesofferinghighquality,patient-focused,andsafegoodcare thatimprovespatientresults.Data-driven qualityimprovementprojectsarevitalin assistinghealthcareprofessionalstoknowtheir performanceandmakewisedecisionsthat wouldresultinimprovedpatientcare.
Theprocessofmeasuringclinicalexcellence shouldstartwithrecognizingevidence-based measures.Thesearemeasuresusedtomonitor theoutcomes,processesandexperiencesofthe patients.Typicalexamplesarepatientsafety measures,readmissionrate,rateofinfection, treatmentsuccess,patientsatisfactionmeasure. Whenthesemeasuresarebasedonclinical researchandbestpractices,thesemeasureswill givecredibleinformationaboutwhatisdoing wellandwhatrequireschanges.
Datacollectionconsistencyisoneofthemostcrucial elementsofclinicalexcellencemeasurement.Trustworthy datawillenablehealthcareproviderstomakecomparisons betweenresultsovertimeandamongdepartments.Someof thetoolsthatcanbeusedtocollectthisinformationare electronichealthrecords,clinicalregistries,andsurveysof thepatients.Asthedataisgatheredproperlyandregularly, itturnsouttobesimplertotracethetrends,gapsincare, andimprovementspossibilities.
Toimproveclinicalexcellence,itisnotenoughtogather databuttomakeactiononthebasisofsuchdata.Quality improvementcyclesareusuallybasedonastructured modellikePlan-Do-Study-Act(PDSA).Thesemodels fosterteamstomakesmallchange,measuretheoutcome andimprovetheirstrategies.Asanexample,incasethe datarevealstheabove-averagelevelsofinfections,acare teammayintroducenewrulesofhygiene,trackthe outcomesandmakethenecessarychanges.
Teamworkandaccountabilityarealsosupportedby evidence-basedmeasures.Assoonasthemedicalworkers haveaclearideaofwhatthegoalsofperformanceare,they tendtojointheireffortstoimprove.Opensharingofresults resultsinalearningculture,asopposedtoablameculture. Suchcultureispivotaltomaintainclinicalexcellencesince itpromotesopencommunicationandlifelongeducation betweenclinicians,nurses,andadministrators.
Anotherimportantelementofclinicalexcellenceispatientcenteredmeasures.Clinicaloutcomesareimportant,but patientexperienceshelptoobtainagoodpictureofthe qualityofcare.Thepatientsatisfaction,communication effectiveness,andaccesstocaremeasuresassist organizationsinunderstandingthevisionofpatients
towardstheirservices.Clinicaloutcomesandpatient feedbackallowhealthcareproviderstoprovideeffective,as wellascompassionatecare.
Technologycontinuestohaveanincreasingroleinensuring clinicalexcellencebyusingdata-driveninitiatives. Advancedanalytics,dashboardsandrealtimereporting toolsenabletheleaderstotracktheperformancefastand addresstheprobleminatimelymanner.Itisevenpossible topredictpatientswhohaveahigherriskofcomplications onthebasisofpredictiveanalyticsandprevent complicationsearly Thesetoolsconvertrawdatainto meaningfulinformationwhichcanbeusedtomake improvedclinicaldecisions.
Qualityimprovementiscriticalinkeepingtheclinical excellencewiththehelpofleadershipcommitment.The leadersneedtoinvestinresearch,technology,andresources thatfacilitatedata-drivenpractices.Theyalsomustinvolve employeesateverylevel,sothatno-onedoesnotknowthe roleofqualitymetricsandhowtheirday-to-daywork wouldbeimprovedtoachievebetterresults.Effective leadershipassistsinsettingdepartmentalobjectiveswith theevidence-basedpractice.
Lastly,clinicalexcellencemaintenanceneedstobe evaluatedandchangedcontinuously Thehealthcare requirements,technologies,andexpectationsofpatientsare inconstantchange.Frequentanalysisoftheperformance indicatorsandrevisionofthestrategytoenhancethemwill helptomakesurethatthecarewillbeeffectiveand relevant.Healthcareorganizationscanprovidesaferand betterqualitycarereliablybymakingevidence-based qualityimprovementanintegralpartofdailypractice.
Tosumup,clinicalexcellencecanbemeasuredand improvedusingevidence-basedmetrics toenablehealthcareproviderstonot relyonassumptionsbutontheactual results.Withtrustworthyinformation, participationofteamsandfocuson patient-centeredoutcomes, organizationswillbeabletoestablisha cultureofcontinuousimprovementthat willpositivelyaffectbothpatientsand providers.
-Natalie May
www.insightscaremagazine.com