DR. MARYAM MATAR

Founder Chairperson UAE Genetic Diseases Association, Dubai 

Dr Maryam is a leader and trailblazer in the UAE healthcare industry as the first woman Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). She is a graduate of the Dubai Medical College with postgraduate qualifications in Family Medicine. In 2006, she became the first woman to be the Undersecretary of Public Health and Primary Healthcare in the UAE.  

Dr Maryam is the Director-General of the Community Development Authority (CDA), a newly launched Dubai government authority that sets up and develops frameworks for social development. She is the Founder and Executive Director of two non-profit civil associations, the UAE Down’s Syndrome Association and the UAE Genetic Diseases Association. She initiated several national community outreach programs such as UAE Free of Thalassemia by 2012 and established several wellness centres. She received the Arab Women’s Pioneer Award for Health Innovation 2019. 

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Photo copyright © the Zay Initiative, Photographic editing by Layla al Hamadi 

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