H.E. Prof. Maha Taysir Barakat

H.E. Prof. Maha Barakat grew up in Abu Dhabi. She completed her education in the UK, receiving a PhD from Cambridge University in 1994 specializing in endocrinology and diabetes. In early 2013, she was appointed as the Director General of the Health Authority – Abu Dhabi

H.E. Prof. Maha is a doctor known to care not only for the health of her patients, but for the well-being of the community. H.E. Prof. Maha treats countless people outside of her regular practice, and continues to tackle the broader public health challenges that affect Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

She continues to dedicate her time to initiating educational campaigns to raise awareness of diabetes and the need for a healthy lifestyle, sharing the message of improved dietary habits and regular exercise.
Amongst the notable campaigns H.E. Prof. Maha has been involved with are the 2007 ‘Diabetes-Knowledge-Action’ initiative, the 2010 ‘I Eat Healthy’ campaign in cooperation with the Sheikha Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, and the ‘Walk Together’ marathon.
Recognising that the UAE has the world’s second largest incidence of diabetes, H.E. Prof. Maha soon realised the need for a systemic treatment centre for those suffering from this disease. She led the quest to establish the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre in Abu Dhabi in 2006 – a state-of-the-art facility specializing in diabetes treatment, research, training and public health - the first of its kind in the UAE.

H.E. Prof. Maha also continues to lead the implementation of new treatment management programs to improve the lives of patients, including those most in need.

Supporting the development and expertise of the Centre, H.E. Prof. Maha shares her advice and guidance. She has also written a number of articles about diabetes in the UAE. She was awarded the British OBE for her services to medical research shared between the UK and the UAE. In addition to her work at the Centre, H.E. Prof. Maha represents the Advisory Council for the Middle East and North Africa in the International Federation of Diabetes, and is a representative member on the board of the Health Authority Abu Dhabi.