First for Bahrain: Women in medicine

This female penetration of all segments of the Bahraini health service goes back many decades. Not surprisingly, from early in the twentieth century, women were already a dominant presence in the caring professions, such as nursing. However, as the century went on, more and more female doctors graduated and rose to the top of their respective fields. For example; Dr. Fawzia Kamal became the first female radiologist in 1978. 

Meanwhile, Nada Hafadh had a successful career as a doctor and a Health Ministry official, before becoming Bahrain’s first femaleminister, as Minister of Health in 2004.

Another notable senior figure is Mariam al-Jalahma who served as Assistant Undersecretary for Primary Care and Public Health in the Ministry of Health and has also held senior roles in the World Health Organization. In late 2015, Al-Jalahma was appointed by the King as Chief Executive of the National Health Regulatory Authority.

These senior female figures have been important in demonstrating that the most outstanding female medics are capable of reaching the highest levels in their areas of practice. This is already providing inspiration to thousands of female medical students who represent the future of Bahraini achievements in the field of health.

The number of women who have ranked first in the various fields of Bahraini medicine are too numerous to mention in detail. However, here are just a few of the key figures who were pioneers in their respective specializations:

First midwife – Jameea Tawfeeq

Bahrain’s First Female Nurse – Fatima bin Ali Al-Zayani 

First female pharmacist – Layla Ahmed Abdulrahman

Bahrain’s First Female Primary Care Physician – Dr. Naeema Hassan Al-Qaseer 

Bahrain’s First Female Recipient of a B.A. in Medicine – Dr. Sadeeqa Ali Al-Awadi 

The First Female Head of Salmaniya Medical Center – Dr. Maha Al-Khalidi Al-Hamer 

Bahrain’s First Female Dentist –  Dr. Layla Ahmed Abdulrahman 

First female Health Minister – Dr. Nada Abbas Hafadh

First female College of Health Sciences dean – Batool Ali Al Muhandis,

First female Health Ministry assistant under­secretary – Dr. Mariam Al Jalahma

First family doctor in primary health care – Dr. Amaal Hassan Al Maskati

First female health promotion director – Dr. Amal Abdulrahman Al Jowder

Principal of Bahrain’s first nursing school – Omaiya Qorbi Al Tajer

First female internal medicine specialist – Dr. Salwa Mohammed Al Mahroos

First paediatric consultant – Dr. Fadheela Taher Al Mahroos

First female Bahraini Radiologist – Dr. Fawzia Kamal

First female paediatric specialist – Dr. Mariam Ebrahim Fakhro

First for Bahrain

1. Bahrain’s first mosque
2. First artificial islands
3. Female president of UN General Assembly
4. First nation to host Gulf Cup
5. First mention in historical record
6. First modern schools
7. First causeway
8. First oil well in the region
9. First media outlets
10.  Bahrain’s first lady
11.  Women in medicine
12.  International Airshow
13.  First referendum
14. First Grand Prix