The world needs strong women. Women who uplift and build others, who break glass ceilings and are dedicated to a cause, women of indomitable will who continue to blaze a trail – women like Dr Mariam Jalahma, CEO of the National Health Regulatory Authority. A woman who has led a truly exemplary life both in the public and the private sector. In this conversation with her, we delved deeper into her work and life, to find out how she managed the challenges in the time of COVID, her vision for healthcare in Bahrain, her wanderlust and where it has taken her and saw many facets of her amazing personality…
Bahrain was ranked 24th on the Forbes List of 100 Safest Countries for COVID-19 in 2020. This was made possible by the robust efforts of the Ministry of Health, the National Task Force, the medical fraternity, and especially the organization you head- the NHRA. Bahrain was one of the first countries to approve the maximum number of vaccinations and the second after the UK to authorise the Pfizer COVID vaccine. Looking back, on what was doubtless a tough 2 years, from your perspective what were the biggest challenges you faced and tackled? and what would you consider your biggest achievement?
Dr Mariam Jalahma: True, Bahrain’s strong sense of national solidarity and collective awareness has been instrumental in overcoming COVID-19 challenges. It was a success story – to beat the pandemic. The leadership of HRH the Crown Prince, Prime Minister Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa was the driving force behind this success. His comprehensive follow-up of all the procedures, ensuring and managing the crisis in accordance with sound scientific standards, his vision and successful management garnered praise from the World Health Organization. On a personal level, challenges make me stronger as a person especially as I was a member of the task force combating COVID, I was given the responsibility of managing the quarantine facilities and leading the medical team in those facilities. On the other hand, as the CEO of the national health regulatory Authority (NHRA), I had a bigger challenge as we had to respond to the needs without delay to give emergency use authorisation for the vaccines, medicines, and medical supplies to ensure the supply chain for Bahrain. As a regulator, our role was to ensure the safety and efficiency of such new innovations, which was the biggest achievement for the NHRA and its team.
A lot of developments are taking place in the medical sector under NHRA’s guidance, recently virtual consultations were approved. What is your vision for the sector in the future?
NHRA vision’s will continue to ensure the safety and quality of the services provided by the healthcare sector. We seek excellence and want our healthcare sector to be one of the best in the region. We work closely with the private health sector to assure that we provide high-quality standards while providing patient care. There are many opportunities in the related fields of telemedicine, training, medicines, and medical supplies manufacturing and we hope to make advances and the government of Bahrain provides many incentives for investors in the health sector with support from the Economic Development Board and TAMKEEN. So hope to make more advances in these fields as well.
We know you are passionate about your work, but what is Mariam Al-Jalahma the person, passionate about?
I would say work, my work is my passion (laughs) but of course, I am passionate about my family. I like reading, cooking, and travelling as well.
Are you someone who sticks to the same routine, or do you like to challenge yourself with adventures? What was something you recently did that was fun and exciting?
No one likes to stick to routine, otherwise, you will get bored and lethargic. The most exciting thing I did this year was to take a break and travel with my family. We planned a family trip to a new destination where we hadn’t been before. After not having travelled for two long years due to COVID, it was a wonderful break for the family.
These are excerpts from the video interview with Dr. Mariam Jalahma at her residence. While we have presented to you, the essence of our conversation, only a video can bring alive the vibrance of the setting and see Dr. Mariam’s enthusiasm as she speaks to Life N Style on various topics. You can watch the full interview here:
