Two-day online seminar concludes with clear plan of cooperation between the two countries focusing on training and skills-sharing
Abu Dhabi-: As part of its ongoing effort to develop mutually beneficial relations between the UAE and Japan through the sharing of knowledge and experience, the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) conducted an online seminar on June 2nd and 3rd connecting leading field experts in Abu Dhabi and Tokyo. Entitled Women’s Healthcare for Emirati Women’s Empowerment, the seminar featured thought-provoking presentations from leading experts in the field and was attended by a total of 35 participants working in women’s healthcare at Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health (DOH).
Women’s empowerment is listed as one of the twelve priority fields of the Japan-UAE Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership Initiative (CSPI) framework launched in April 2018, and as such is a major focus of ongoing bilateral cooperation. Regarding women’s empowerment within UAE society, Ms. Hind Mubarak Al Zaabi, Executive Director of DOH Healthcare Facilities Sector, stated “Women in the UAE have equal rights with men in all fields, especially in the field of work. The Department of Health in Abu Dhabi seeks to empower and build women and enhance their participation in all fields, as women represent 61% of the Department of Health employees. The department is also committed to empowering and enhancing the role of women, by including them in leadership roles.”
Highlights of the seminar included presentations by three female Japanese experts in the fields of women’s health care initiatives and women’s empowerment, including case studies raising awareness of the importance of women’s health management. These included:
Ms. Atsuko Okajima
Former Director-General, the Gender Equality Bureau, the Cabinet Office;
Former Deputy Director-General, the Minister’s Secretariat for Health and Medical Policy, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Focusing on Japan’s Gender Equality Policy and its focus on women’s health, Ms. Okajima addressed lifelong health support to promote women’s empowerment and the current participation status of women in the medical field. Generating active discussion, participants raised questions about Japan’s prenatal and postnatal childcare leave system, as well as the National Health Insurance system.
Dr. Anna Kato, M.D., MPH.
Certified Occupational Physician and Industrial Health Consultant, Kao Corporation
Kao Corporation is a leading Japanese sanitary and cosmetics company with 60% of its workforce made up of women, and as such places a great deal of focus on health management. Dr. Kato introduced Kao’s employee initiatives that put women first, including prevention of women’s diseases, raising awareness and promotion of medical examinations, and the company’s extensive support system for pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare. Participants raised questions about diseases that are common among female employees including breast cancer and uterine cancer, as well as gynecological health examination items. In return, Dr. Kato also asked participants about diseases that are common to women in the UAE.
Dr. Ruriko Tsushima, M.D, Ph. D
Doctor of Obstetrics and Gynecology Ph.D., Perinatology and Women’s Health; President, Women’s Life Clinic Ginza/Shinjuku
At the request of the DOH, Dr. Tsushima presented Japan’s experiences in conducting ultrasound examinations for pregnant women, as well as focusing on medical initiatives for lifelong women’s wellbeing including maternal and fetal health. Participants asked questions about the disparity in medical access between urban and rural/remote areas, and about the scope and function of the female doctor network. Dr. Tsushima emphasized the importance of the participation of female doctors in all fields of medicine, not only gynecology.
From the UAE side, Dr. Faiza Ahmed, Senior Analyst, and Quality Monitoring of the DOH, presented the Department’s Maternal Health Program, a program that plays a central role in improving medical services within the Abu Dhabi Emirate hospital network. Core aims are:
Organization of hospitals based on a tiered system
Expansion of roles of midwives
Revision of guidelines and standards for gynecological examinations
At the conclusion of the seminar, each side highlighted areas of experience and skills to share with their counterparts.
The DOH plans to advance the initiative by sharing skills and experience in:
Midwifery obstetric model
Antenatal ultrasound training
Postnatal care
Occupational health programs
Women’s weight-management program for women
Tele-monitoring including home ultrasonic monitoring
The Japanese participants commented extending cooperation by introducing related hospitals and potential online training in:
Midwifery
Ultrasound examination
Throughout the seminar, the importance of physical and mental health management of working women in the time of the pandemic was also frequently discussed. The importance of continuing dialogue on women-related issues and the exchange of experiences are initiative that will have a clear benefit to the UAE. According to Ms. Al Zaabi, “These experiences are in line with the strategy and priorities of the Abu Dhabi Department of Health and the action plan of the Department’s Maternal Health Services Development Program, which was developed in early 2020.
She continues, “Through the seminar, it was impressive to see Japan’s approach and strategy towards empowering women and recognising women’s contribution as a productive members of society, where women are supported and encouraged not only in pursuit of their professional ambitions but are also supported to fulfill and carry out their social and family responsibilities.”
Ms. Al Zaabi also highlighted the provision of extended childcare leave after birth, and the Lifelong Women’s Wellbeing Program with its wide range of treatments for women of all ages, including age-related gynaecological issues and menopause.
Based on the DOH interests and needs which were specifically confirmed at the seminar, JICE will continue to cooperate and coordinate training programs with the DOH, including distance learning, to further promote women’s empowerment through improving women’s health.