Abbott Awards Women’s Health Start-Up as Winner of its Innovate4Health Challenge in the Middle East
- Abbott’s Innovate4Health Challenge featured six start-ups, competing to launch scalable, culturally relevant digital solutions to address key health challenges
- Challenge winnerNAWAT Health delivers an accessible, digital-first platform with a pioneering approach to women’s health care
- Challenge reflects Abbott’s longstanding commitment to advancing access to care and strengthening women’s health through technology-driven, locally tailored solutions
Abbott, a global healthcare leader, in collaboration with venture capital company Plug and Play Abu Dhabi, has named NAWAT Health the winner of its Innovate4Health Challenge.
Designed to address three critical healthcare gaps in the Middle East ─ menopause awareness, living with vertigo, and medical misinformation — the Challenge called on regional start-ups to deliver innovative, scalable solutions that align with Abbott’s mission of helping people live healthier, fuller lives.
NAWAT Health, a start-up founded in 2023 by public health expert Noor Jaber, stood out for its groundbreaking approach to supporting women’s health across all life stages with a particular focus on menopause, a life stage too often underserved and underdiscussed in the Arab world.
NAWAT Health created a platform that offers culturally sensitive digital resources tailored to the unique needs of women across the region, empowering them to navigate this transition with confidence.
“At Abbott, we believe in unlocking the potential of local innovations that address pressing health challenges,” said Mazen Bachir, divisional vice president of Abbott’s medicines business in the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan. “The Innovate4Health Challenge is a true reflection of what Abbott stands for, delivering tech-driven solutions that help people access better care and live healthier lives.”
Menopause is a natural life stage experienced by approximately 500 million women globally each year.1 Hormonal changes leading up to menopause can trigger a range of challenging physical and mental symptoms.2 Research shows that these symptoms can deeply affect a woman’s daily life activities, career, relationships, and overall well-being. 3,4 Unfortunately,
