My Journey to Health Tech: A Woman’s Perspective

Written By Salma Sakr, Chief Growth Officer 

I joined the health tech industry in the mental health space in September 2020. It was peak COVID, so it was an unknown time for the world, and a new frontier for me career wise. However, from the day I started, I realised I had found where I belong. Leveraging technology to improve access and quality of healthcare was what the world needed at the time, and still needs today, which is beautifully exemplified by Rology, the leading teleradiology platform in the Middle East & Africa, a company I joined as Chief Growth Officer in November 2022.

As health tech continues to grow globally, I know many women feel the same way as I do, and it’s a good thing. The growing role of women in health tech is a significant and welcome trend. Historically, the field of technology, including health tech, has been predominantly male-dominated. However, as the industry evolves, there’s a noticeable shift with more women actively participating and leading in various capacities within health tech companies, startups, research institutions, and policy-making bodies.

There are several reasons contributing to this trend:

Technology’s Potential for Impact

Women are drawn to health tech because of its potential to make a positive impact on healthcare delivery, patient outcomes, and quality of life. Many are motivated by the opportunity to use technology to address pressing healthcare challenges. That is what drove me to this space. I knew if I was going to take time away from my children, it would have to be for something meaningful. With Rology, we have saved over 700,000 lives by bridging the gap between the demand for scans and available radiologists. This gap historically had led to severe and significant delays in diagnosis for patients across the world, often with severe consequences.

Representation and Diversity Initiatives

Many organizations are actively working to promote diversity and inclusion, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives in driving innovation. This includes initiatives to recruit and retain women roles.

Advancements in Education and Training

Women are increasingly pursuing education and training in STEM fields, including healthcare and technology. As more women gain expertise in these areas, they naturally become more involved in health tech.

Recognition of Women’s Health Needs

Women are often underrepresented or overlooked in healthcare research and product development. With more women involved in health tech, there’s a greater focus on addressing women’s health needs and developing solutions tailored to them. At Rology over 50% of the scans done have been for women, with everything from run of the mill Xrays to life saving mammographies

Collaborative Networks and Communities

Women benefit from supportive networks and communities where they can connect, collaborate, and share resources. These networks provide mentorship, career development opportunities, and a sense of belonging in a male-dominated industry.

The growing presence of women in health tech is not only a matter of gender equality but also essential for driving innovation and addressing the diverse needs of healthcare consumers. As this trend continues, it’s likely to lead to more inclusive and impactful solutions in the field of health technology. I am privileged enough to have a front seat to this evolution, and it’s a beautiful thing to see.

Learn more about how Rology saves lives by visiting our website www.rology.health