Medicine woman

Rania Al Hussaini talks to the first UAE national woman to take a doctorate in pharmacy.

Dr Fahima Kamil Al Awadhi, who works for the Ministry of Health as Director of the Pharmacy Department in Dubai, is the first UAE national woman to receive a doctorate in the pharmaceutical field. Her subject was reducing the intake of antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections.

What made you choose this field?

First my love for education and knowledge, and I wanted to study and work in the medical field. Moreover I love science, doing research, discovering new things and I wanted to do something for my country and community.

What does it take for a student to succeed in this field?

Mainly one should love this major, have passion for this work, and love chemistry and biology because these are the main subjects in this field. Also she/he should be wholeheartedly willing to study and work, be dedicated and committed to one's work.

Is it enough to get a BS degree in pharmacy or do you think one should go for further studies in this major?

Of course, continuing your education is better because the further you study the more you learn and get updated. Science is progressing and discovering new things constantly.

What are the challenges in this career?

Like any other major there are challenges, nothing comes easily. Being with patients can be demanding, but if you love this work you will overcome any challenges you face.

What is the role of the pharmacist?

The pharmacist today is no longer limited to prescribing medicines; he/she now plays a bigger role. They now monitor patients and their progress, coordinate with doctors, and know the formulas of medicines. They are a vital member of the medical field.

What are the various jobs that a pharmacist can do?

Well there are lots of things a pharmacist can do today. Such as working in the laboratory, working in a clinical pharmacy, working at pharmaceutical companies … .

Do a lot of students consider taking up pharmacy as a career or major?

In the past there were few students who considered joining this field. Firstly, they had to go abroad to study pharmacy - as there weren't many universities that had it as a major -and of course not all people consider studying abroad, especially girls.

When I got my BS, I was the third female pharmacist in the UAE.

But now there are more facilities, it has become easier to study this major in your own country, and there are more universities that teach this major. Now there is a greater demand for science. So students are considering taking pharmacy as a major and career — even girls.

Being a successful woman — as a mother, housewife, working woman and student — how do you encourage girls to emulate your example?

Women have earned great successes in the past few years, and I am personally proud to be the first UAE national woman to get this support and help my country. I encourage all the girls to do the same. Moreover, being a mother, a wife and a working woman should not be obstacles to preventing you from achieving success. In addition, now we are all being encouraged by the UAE Government and its rulers to continue our studies.

In conclusion, how do you feel about your success?

I love being a pharmacist and I am proud of being one. After all the hard work I'm happy to see the rewards of my achievements, especially because it will impact the health of UAE's population.

And I am happy that my research was categorised as one of the best that was submitted to Aberdeen College, and it was suggested by the committee that it should be published in medical journals worldwide.

HER PATH TO SUCCESS

- 1989: Dr Fahima took her Bachelor of Science degree from the US. She later worked at Dubai's Baraha Hospital, where she assumed charge of the pharmacy department six months later.

- 1994: She worked at the Central Medical Store in Dubai, and was in charge of the medicine section.

- 1997: She joined the Ministry of Health (MOH) as Director of the Pharmacy Department of Dubai, a post she currently holds.

- 2003: Dr Fahima started her master's degree at Aberdeen University of Scotland. She obtained her doctorate from the same uiversity.

- 2006: She got her doctorate from the same university.