USA
Muslim Trailblazers Make Top Time Health List. In a groundbreaking recognition of Muslim innovation, several individuals from the region have been featured in the prestigious Time Health List. This highlights their remarkable contributions to healthcare and medical advancements. From pioneering diagnostics to groundbreaking treatments. these individuals are shaping the future of healthcare on a global scale.
USA
Hadiza Shehu Galadanci: A simple aid for maternal mortality
Dr. Hadiza Shehu Galadanci, a prominent figure in obstetrics and gynecology at Nigeria’s Bayero University. She is deeply familiar with the staggering statistics surrounding maternal mortality in her country.
With approximately 1,000 Nigerian women out of every 100,000 succumbing to childbirth complications. as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020. Galadanci recognized the urgent need for effective interventions. Drawing from over two decades of clinical experience. She has witnessed the tragic loss of countless women to conditions that were not only treatable but also preventable.
Khaled Kabil. Tackling hepatitis C
A decade ago, Egypt grappled with one of the world’s highest rates of hepatitis C. It is a liver-damaging viral infection transmitted through infected blood. However, in 2023, Egypt achieved a groundbreaking milestone when the World Health Organization (WHO) hailed it as the first nation on track to fully eradicate the disease by 2030. —an achievement lauded as “nothing short of astounding” by the WHO’s director-general.
Central to this monumental effort is Dr. Khaled Kabil, who has spearheaded Egypt’s National Committee for Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis since its inception in 2006. Under his leadership, Egypt orchestrated a comprehensive nationwide campaign encompassing testing and treatment. It facilitated by cost-effective procurement of antiviral medications and local production of generic alternatives.
Zahid Maleque: Disease Fighter
Zahid Maleque’s leadership in Bangladesh’s healthcare sector has led to significant strides in disease eradication and public health initiatives.
From eliminating kala-azar to spearheading efforts against lymphatic filariasis. Maleque’s contributions have saved countless lives and improved the well-being of millions.
His dedication to improving healthcare accessibility and combating infectious diseases exemplifies the transformative impact of strategic leadership and public health interventions.
Sumbul Desai: Reaching the Masses
Dr. Sumbul Desai’s innovative health tools on Apple devices are revolutionizing digital health monitoring and personalized care. Through groundbreaking studies and partnerships with leading research institutions.
Desai aims to leverage technology to empower individuals in managing their health and well-being. With features like “State of Mind,” Desai’s work on mental health awareness and prevention represents a significant step towards integrating technology and healthcare for improved patient outcomes.
Ziyad Al-Aly; Advocating with research
Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, a clinical epidemiologist at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has emerged as a pivotal figure in the study of Long COVID since 2020. He is contributed significantly to over 20 studies that have reshaped our understanding of the virus’s enduring effects.
Through his research, Al-Aly has delved into the multifaceted manifestations of Long COVID across various organ systems, explored the risks associated with recurrent COVID-19 infections, and delineated its distinctions from chronic symptoms of other viral illnesses like the flu. Guided by the experiences of Long COVID patients, Al-Aly emphasizes a deep personal connection to his research, driven by a profound sense of responsibility towards those affected.
Bashar Murad: Care in war
Since the war between Israel and Hamas began in October 2023, Gaza’s healthcare system has suffered significant damage from Israeli airstrikes, leaving only a dozen out of 36 hospitals partially functional as of early March, according to the International Rescue Committee.
To address the urgent medical needs of the Palestinian people amidst this crisis, the Palestine Red Crescent Society. Under Murad’s guidance, the Palestine Red Crescent Society has delivered emergency first aid to nearly 18,000 injured individuals in the Gaza Strip from October 2023 to March 2024, alongside community healthcare for over 162,000 people and mental health support for almost 60,000. Despite challenges posed by destruction, the organization maintains a network of medical centers, relief camps offering essentials like food and water, and a fleet of ambulances, ensuring essential medical services remain available amidst adversity.
Alaa Murabit: Closing the gender gap
For many, the struggle for women’s health is often synonymous with the fight for reproductive rights. However, Dr. Alaa Murabit is challenging this narrow perspective, advocating for a broader understanding of women’s healthcare. As the director of global health advocacy and communications at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Murabit’s actions align with her beliefs. she has already mobilized $300 million from philanthropists, with further commitments, for the Beginnings Fund. Murabit recognizes that solutions vary across contexts. From ensuring basic medical supplies in some countries to advancing research on menopause in others like the U.S. Ultimately, she sees women’s health empowerment as synonymous with empowerment in general. This enables individuals to contribute economically, socially, and politically to their communities.
Shahzad Baig: Eradicating Polio
Dr. Shahzad Baig’s tireless efforts in Pakistan’s polio-eradication program have brought the country closer than ever to eliminating the disease. Through comprehensive vaccination campaigns and community outreach initiatives.
Baig has overcome significant challenges to protect millions of children from polio. His commitment to public health and disease prevention exemplifies the power of collective action and strategic leadership in addressing global health challenges.
As Muslim individuals continue to make significant strides in healthcare and medical innovation. Their contributions underscore the region’s growing influence and impact on the global health landscape. From pioneering research to transformative treatments, these trailblazers are shaping a healthier and more equitable future for all.
