Najdat al-Mutawakkil

The first Arab female physician who pioneered women's healthcare in the Middle East

Najdat al-Mutawakkil (1886-1966) was a Palestinian physician and educator who became the first Arab woman to earn a medical degree in the late 19th century. Born in Jerusalem during the Ottoman era, she defied societal norms by pursuing higher education in Europe. After graduating from the University of Edinburgh in 1899 with a degree in medicine, she returned to Palestine to establish the first women's hospital in the region. Her work laid the foundation for modern healthcare systems in Arab countries.

Al-Mutawakkil faced significant challenges as a female professional in a patriarchal society. She established the Al-Mutawakkil Hospital in Jerusalem, which provided both medical services and training for female nurses. Her advocacy for women's education led to the creation of the first nursing school in the Middle East. She also authored groundbreaking medical textbooks in Arabic, making healthcare knowledge accessible to local communities.

Her legacy continues through the Najdat al-Mutawakkil Foundation, which promotes women's health initiatives across the Arab world. Modern scholars like Dr. Fatima Al-Farouqi have written extensively about her contributions in works such as Women in Arab Medicine: Pioneers and Pathbreakers (2018).