We often hear about medicine through breakthroughs and technology, but for Dr. Shaista Meraj, Consultant Breast Radiologist at NMC Healthcare, it’s really about those quiet, meaningful moments—a scan that uncovers what’s hidden, where skill meets care, and lives can be changed. Leaving surgery behind wasn’t just a career shift for her; it was a commitment to make a deeper impact, catching illness earlier and offering hope sooner.
At NMC Healthcare, she’s leading the way in breast cancer care, combining advanced technology with genuine compassion to improve outcomes for women across the Arab world.
Let’s delve into the interview details below!
Can you start by telling us about your early inspirations and what motivated you to pursue a career in radiology?
My radiology journey began when I was in surgical training. While in breast surgery, seeing patients leave the hospital cancer-free was incredibly uplifting; it also demonstrated radiology’s pivotal role in every step of the patient’s journey. From diagnosis to treatment and follow-up, radiology is the backbone of medicine.
What truly captivated me was interventional radiology, a perfect blend of technical skills and patient connection. Here, I could merge cutting-edge imaging with hands-on procedures.
Today, as radiology revolutionises cancer screening and minimally invasive therapies, I am reminded why I chose this career. Radiology is a powerful intersection of technology and human touch, where early detection saves lives.
As a Consultant Radiologist at NMC Healthcare, what are the core responsibilities and challenges you navigate daily?
At NMC Royal Hospital DIP, I am establishing a dedicated Breast Clinic delivering complete care, from diagnosis to treatment – under one roof.
Combining strategic leadership with hands-on expertise; I am implementing advanced imaging technology and internationally benchmarked protocols, drawing from my decade long experience as Consultant Interventional Breast Radiologist form the UK.
Our patient-centred, multidisciplinary team delivers evidence based care. Our patient feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. While managing increasingly complex cases, we are standardising breast care across NMC’s 70+ facilities. The growing trust of our international patients is a testament to the quality of care we provide.
A heartening trend is witnessing mothers and daughters come in together for screening— this cultural shift in awareness represents exactly the preventive care model we’re championing.
We also face challenges such as: promoting screening awareness while tailoring programs for our diverse population – from Emirati women to expatriate communities. Maintaining high standard care while navigating the complexities of insurance reimbursements and cost-effective care delivery. And strategically scaling services as our patient base grows – all while ensuring accessibility meets international benchmarks. These challenges are uniquely amplified in the UAE’s rapidly evolving medical ecosystem, where cutting-edge innovation must align with local health economics and cultural values.
How do you see the role of radiology evolving in the next decade, particularly in the UAE and the broader Arab healthcare landscape?
Radiology is transforming, and UAE with its forward-thinking vision is poised to lead this change. Over the next decade, I foresee several key trends.
AI will enhance diagnostic accuracy while streamlining workflows. The UAE’s investment in AI partnerships will set a benchmark for precision medicine.
Centralisation of imaging services will optimise resources, ensuring consistent quality across networks, similar to what we are implementing at NMC.
Tele-radiology and mobile solutions will expand. Sub-specialisation will rise as clinical complexity grows.
Pressure on reimbursements will drive cost-effective protocols. Smart gatekeeping of imaging referrals and radiation regulation will be critical. With digitisation, protecting patient data in PACS and cloud systems will be paramount.
The UAE’s agility to adopt these advancements will lead the Arab world to emerge as a global exemplar of next-gen radiology.
What does being recognized as one of the most inspiring women leaders in healthcare mean to you?
This recognition is an honour and a responsibility. While I’m deeply humbled to be acknowledged among inspiring women leaders, what truly matters is how this platform can create meaningful change.
This isn’t just personal recognition, it’s a validation of the collective work we’re doing to advance professional opportunities in healthcare.
Most importantly, it serves as a reminder that visibility matters. When women see other women excelling in fields like radiology and AI, they envision new horizons.
I view this recognition not as final goal, but as a motivation to keep pushing boundaries in innovation and gender equality in healthcare leadership.
How has your journey with NMC Healthcare contributed to your professional growth and leadership development?
Building NMC’s breast care service in Dubai Investment Park has been transformative. Turning challenges – from operational hurdles to changing screening perceptions – into leadership growth opportunities, I’ve blended international best practices with local needs to create a centre of excellence.
Our mission extends beyond clinical care to community education, proving healthcare leadership not only requires medical expertise but also advocacy and health literacy.
NMC has provided the platform to merge my clinical expertise with leadership vision, creating lasting impact. Each obstacle overcome and every life touched through our services has further shaped my perspective on what it means to be a healthcare leader in the UAE’s dynamic healthcare landscape.
What unique challenges have you faced as a woman in healthcare leadership, and how have you overcome them?
Throughout my career, I’ve observed that women often underestimate their leadership potential. This self-doubt compounded by systemic barriers like unequal recognition and the complex balancing act between professional and family responsibilities, can be the biggest hurdle.
I’ve been fortunate to work alongside extraordinary women leaders who modelled what’s possible. My approach has been to focus on measurable results, build strategic alliances, and mentor other women – because when one of us rises, we lift the entire profession.
The growing number of women leaders in UAE healthcare proves our collective resilience is stronger than any obstacle.
Can you share a breakthrough moment or significant case in your career that deeply impacted you?
My career’s defining moments were both personal and professional. Moving countries twice taught me resilience and clarity on what truly matters: making a difference in patients’ lives. But one decision stands out—leaving cardio-thoracic surgery to pursue radiology. Walking away from surgical career required courage. I knew radiology was where I could combine precision with profound patient impact.
Doing breast radiology in UK, I saw how early detection could alter the course of a woman’s life led me to take breast cancer awareness initiatives, that increased screening uptake by nearly 8% in disadvantaged areas, proving that education drives action.
Now in the UAE, seeing younger women often diagnosed late further strengthens my determination to raise breast awareness.
What advice would you offer to young women aspiring to build a career in healthcare, particularly in radiology?
To the brilliant women considering radiology: claim your space in a field that offers unparalleled opportunities to shape patient outcomes. Embrace its flexibility: teleradiology for global work, research to drive innovation, or leadership to transform systems.
A women bring unique strengths—holistic thinking, empathy, and collaborative problem-solving. These are game-changers in this field. Don’t underestimate the power of your perspective.
Build your ecosystem and cultivate peer networks. Be the leader who redefines possibilities—for yourself and the next generation of women in medicine.
