From Adversity to Achievement: Dr Muna Al Maslamani
Dr. Muna Al Maslamani’s Remarkable Journey in Medicine
Dr. Muna Al Maslamani, Medical Director of Hamad General Hospital and Chief Executive Officer of the Communicable Disease Center, has established herself as one of the most influential figures in Qatar’s healthcare sector. Dr. Al Maslamani’s career exemplifies the remarkable progress of Qatari women, particularly in healthcare, from seeking equal opportunities to becoming leaders and change-makers. Her journey of success is a testament to her talent, perseverance, and the growing opportunities for women in Qatar.
Over the last three decades, Qatar has witnessed significant transformation, with women assuming leadership roles across various sectors. Their invaluable contributions to healthcare are undeniable, with pioneers like Dr. Al Maslamani driving innovation and significantly enhancing patient care. Her remarkable success represents not only a personal achievement but also a broader societal shift toward empowering women and fostering excellence in the healthcare sector. In an exclusive interview with Career Guide, we dive into Dr. Al Maslamani’s inspiring journey as she reflects on the challenges she overcame and the important lessons she learned.
Early Struggles That Shaped a Vision
Pursuing one’s dreams often involves facing challenges head-on, especially at the outset. How one navigates these obstacles plays a crucial role in shaping one’s future. Dr. Al Maslamani experienced this firsthand. In her interview with Career Guide, she reflected on the pivotal moments that sparked her passion for medicine, offering insights into the determination and resilience that have defined her path to success.
“Losing my father at a young age was a painful experience that left a lasting imprint on me. He deeply cared for our family and dreamed that one of his children would become a doctor. Unfortunately, my siblings did not share that same academic ambition. After his passing, my mother became our rock; she was everything to us, bearing the weight of his absence with unwavering strength and responsibility. At the time, none of us were older than eighteen, and we were still grappling with grief and uncertainties. From that moment on, my mother became the constant in my life, guiding us through both joyous and challenging times. As I grew older, so did my sense of responsibility toward this extraordinary woman. I became determined to bring happiness to her heart, and for me, that meant excelling academically. Becoming self-reliant in my studies was not just a personal goal—it was my way of honoring my father’s dreams and my mother’s resilience.”
Dr. Al Maslamani’s journey was not solely about pursuing her dream but also about fulfilling her late father’s wish. “I was driven by the desire to achieve what my father had envisioned,” she recalls. “I have always had a passion for science and a thirst for knowledge. I knew I wanted to work in a field where I could make a difference in people’s lives. After careful thought, medicine was the obvious choice, aligning seamlessly with both my ambitions and my wish to honor my father.”
After excelling in high school, she was eager to take the next step toward her dream. However, Qatar did not offer any medical programs at the time, leaving Al Maslamani with only one option: studying abroad. Yet, her family, particularly her older brother, firmly opposed the idea.
“At seventeen, I faced my first real battle for independence. My older brother, who took on a fatherly role, was understandably concerned, given the time and circumstances. It was not easy, especially since none of my siblings had ever traveled abroad for education, and I was the first woman in our extended family even to consider it. But I stood my ground, and eventually, I convinced them. From that moment on, my family’s support never wavered.”
She enrolled at King Faisal University in Dammam, Saudi Arabia (now Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University). While the experience proved invaluable, it came with its share of challenges—ones she still regards as some of the hardest in her career.
“Being away from home was incredibly difficult,” Dr. Al Maslamani admits. “The isolation was overwhelming, and adjusting to life without my family was exhausting. I would be lying if I said I did not think about quitting. Every time I returned to Qatar during breaks, the thought of not going back to Saudi Arabia crossed my mind. To make matters worse, many of my close friends and classmates who had come with me from Qatar decided to return home, unable to handle dorm life or the emotional toll of being so far from their families. And medicine is definitely no easy field.”
Despite the overwhelming hardships, Al Maslamani remained committed to her studies, driven by a profound sense of responsibility for her dream and decision. Eventually, her persistence paid off, and she proudly earned her medical degree.
The Road to Leadership
After returning to Qatar, Dr. Al Maslamani began her career as a resident physician, specializing in internal medicine. The following four years involved grueling work, continuous exams, and long hours, but the demanding journey was made more manageable with her family’s support.
Driven by her passion for knowledge, she later pursued a fellowship in infectious diseases, a field that was understaffed and significantly lacked in female representation. Encouraged by a colleague, she embraced the challenge. “Infectious diseases was a rare specialty, especially for women, but I knew I wanted to make a difference in a critical and under-resourced field,” she explains.
Dr. Al Maslamani then sought advanced training in the United States, specializing in Transplant Infectious Diseases, an emerging field at the time. In 2017, after years of dedication and hard work, she was appointed CEO of the Communicable Disease Center (CDC) at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), the region’s first facility of its kind. Under her leadership, the CDC has become a regional leader in diagnosing and treating communicable diseases, while driving critical research and improving public health education.
Leadership in Crisis
Dr. Mona Al Maslamani believes that leadership challenges are the same for both men and women, despite the common perception that they differ. Throughout her career, she has never experienced bias or discrimination based on her gender. Instead, she attributes her pleasant experience to Hamad Medical Corporation’s commitment to equality, where leadership roles are earned through performance and results, rather than any other factor.
“Qatari women are reaping the rewards of decades of state-led empowerment initiatives,” says Dr. Al Maslamani. “Our society is built on the contributions of countless women who have played essential roles across various sectors throughout history. In healthcare, for instance, we have an abundance of highly qualified female doctors, administrators, and nurses working alongside their male counterparts, giving their all. These women deserve recognition and appreciation for their great efforts and have rightfully earned their place at the table.”
As 2019 ended, the global healthcare system faced an unprecedented challenge—COVID-19. The pandemic brought immense pressure to curb the virus’s spread while simultaneously maximizing hospital capacity and safeguarding healthcare workers. Qatar’s healthcare system was no exception, and the Communicable Disease Center (CDC) found itself at the heart of the nation’s response. Teams worked tirelessly around the clock to monitor the latest developments, research, and scientific studies on the virus.
Qatar’s healthcare sector rose to the challenge of the pandemic, outperforming even some of the world’s leading healthcare systems. Dr. Al Maslamani credits this success to the government’s substantial investment in infrastructure and the development of an integrated healthcare system that delivers world-class services to all citizens. “Our achievements are the direct result of the state’s commitment to building a comprehensive healthcare system,” she explains. “It aligns with the National Health Strategy, which focuses on developing national talent across medical fields and investing in medical education, scholarships, and training programs.”
For Dr. Al Maslamani, teamwork and seamless coordination were the key to navigating the crisis. “We had to work as one unified team, with experts from all disciplines, day and night, to tackle an enormous challenge. As the death toll rose and the pressure on the healthcare system increased, the hardest part was maintaining our composure and providing the community with hope that we could overcome this together.”
She adds, “Achieving this level of coordination required a leader capable of grasping the full scope of the crisis, making quick, innovative decisions, and keeping the team’s morale high. A good leader ensures harmony and collaboration among the team.”
In addition to her leadership at the CDC, Dr. Al Maslamani is an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at Qatar University and Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar. Her work with students has made her optimistic about the future of medicine in Qatar, driven by the passion and energy of the country’s youth. She encourages students to consider a medical career, emphasizing the dedication and sacrifices it demands.
Her message to aspiring medical professionals is clear: “Our community needs qualified healthcare professionals across all specialties. Today, you have access to world-class medical education right here in Qatar without the need to leave your families behind. You no longer face the same challenges we did. Our country has given us the best and deserves nothing less than our best in return.”
Dr. Al Maslamani attributes her personal and professional successes to the unwavering support of her family. She believes her academic and career journey can be summed up in two words: responsibility and teamwork.
“No personal or professional success can happen without a deep sense of responsibility and love for what you do. Dreams, too, must be fueled by this commitment. In the workplace, no one can succeed alone. There is always a team working as one. It is the collective spirit and sense of unity and belonging within that team that creates the conditions for success.”
For those looking to thrive in leadership roles, Dr. Al Maslamani offers the following advice:
- Prioritize effectively
- Adapt to changes
- Manage your time efficiently
- Work as a team
- Communicate clearly with your team members
- Focus on developing the skills and abilities of individuals
- Think strategically
Note
Before the establishment of Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar in 2001, students aspiring to study medicine had to travel abroad. Qatari female students often chose to study in neighboring GCC countries, especially Saudi Arabia or Bahrain. In 2014, Qatar University established its first national medical college, which graduated its inaugural class in the summer of 2021.
