A panel of health experts and industry leaders emphasized the need for sustained attention to women’s health beyond pregnancy during the Khaleej Times Women’s Power Summit 2026.
The discussion, held under the theme “The Many Dimensions of Women’s Well-being,” focused on the gaps in healthcare services for women after childbirth and the broader challenges in addressing women’s health comprehensively. Dr. Summia Samir Zaher, CEO of Women and Children’s Care at M42, noted that the period during pregnancy and childbirth often represents the most intensive healthcare engagement for many women. However, she cautioned that healthcare providers frequently lose contact with women after this phase, sometimes only reconnecting when health issues arise years later.
Representing the pharmaceutical industry, Rima Jammal, head of marketing at Novo Nordisk-Gulf, pointed out the underrepresentation of women in clinical studies, which hampers the understanding of how various medical conditions and treatments manifest uniquely in women. “It is important to make sure that we’re understanding the data properly,” she stated, highlighting the necessity for gender-sensitive research to inform better treatment options.
From a clinical care perspective, Dr. Verushka Mukesh Mansukhani, a general, breast, and laparoscopic surgeon at Prime Hospital in Dubai, raised concerns about the tendency of women to delay seeking medical attention. “We are the caregivers. We spread love. We should not be the last. We should come, seek attention,” she urged, underscoring the cultural and social barriers that often prevent women from prioritizing their own health.
In addition to clinical interventions, the panel discussed lifestyle factors that contribute to overall well-being. Uma Ghosh, co-founder of Pro-Age Aesthetics Academy and founder of The Uma Show Lifestyle Coaching, emphasized the positive impact of simple daily practices such as mindful breathing. She recommended conscious breathing exercises and taking time to connect with one’s body as effective strategies to enhance health and wellness.
The session, moderated by Nikita Phulwani, founder and CEO of the digital marketing agency Mumkin, sought to broaden the conversation around women’s health, advocating for continued care and attention throughout a woman’s life, rather than focusing exclusively on pregnancy-related health. The experts collectively called for greater awareness and systemic changes to ensure that healthcare provisions better serve women’s needs over the long term.