Supporting maternal and newborn health in the workplace.

World Health Day 2025, themed “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” is a timely reminder that the foundations of a healthier world start from the very first stages of life. For businesses across the GCC, this is a call to action rooted in the region's strong cultural values of family and community. At Gulfcare, we believe that workplaces play a vital role in supporting maternal and newborn health, shaping not only the well-being of employees, but also contributing to stronger, more resilient societies.

Supporting parents through pregnancy and early parenthood isn't just about compassion—it's about building a thriving, productive workforce where every individual feels valued and empowered. In many GCC countries, where family is at the heart of society, businesses have a unique opportunity to reflect these values within their corporate environments.

Why Maternal and Newborn Health Should Be a Workplace Priority

Maternal and newborn health is often viewed solely as a healthcare issue, but it has far-reaching implications for businesses. The well-being of employees during pregnancy and early parenthood directly impacts job satisfaction, engagement, and long-term retention. When companies invest in family-friendly policies and healthcare support, they benefit from improved morale, reduced absenteeism, and enhanced loyalty. One recent report by UNICEF found that companies that actively supported parents “reported improved employee loyalty, reduced turnover, lower recruitment costs, and better talent attraction and retention”. The report also found that 43 per cent of women and 71 per cent of men considered paid parental leave to be important when considering a job offer.

While the UAE offers an incredibly high standard of maternal healthcare, the support offered to parents in resuming their careers can often be lacking. 

In today’s competitive landscape, GCC businesses seeking to attract and retain top talent must recognize that healthy beginnings lead to hopeful futures—not only for families but for organizations as a whole. This is especially relevant in regions like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where dynamic work environments demand innovative approaches to employee well-being.

The Challenges Working Parents Face

Despite societal progress, many working parents continue to face significant hurdles, particularly in fast-paced corporate environments:

• Inadequate Parental Leave: Limited maternity or paternity leave forces employees to return to work before they are ready.

• Rigid Work Structures: Without flexible working options, balancing professional responsibilities with newborn care becomes stressful. 

• Stigmas Around Parenthood: Discussing pregnancy-related health or mental well-being is still seen as a sign of vulnerability in some workplaces. 

• Limited Access to Healthcare: Many employees lack awareness of available comprehensive prenatal, postnatal, and mental health resources.

These challenges can lead to disengagement, high turnover, and increased healthcare costs. Fortunately, there are practical solutions that align with both global best practices and regional expectations.

How Employers Can Foster Healthy Beginnings

Forward-thinking organizations across the GCC are taking proactive steps to support maternal and newborn health. Here are some steps to consider:

• Introduce Meaningful Parental Leave and Flexible Work Policies: Offering competitive parental leave and flexible work arrangements—such as hybrid models and remote work—demonstrates genuine commitment to employee well-being. Flexible policies are especially beneficial in supporting working mothers and fathers as they navigate early parenthood.

• Design Comprehensive Return-to-Work Programmes: Structured programmes, including phased reintegration, mentorship, and clear communication strategies, ease the transition back to work after childbirth. These initiatives can be supported by health insurance packages for small businesses and large enterprises alike.

• Promote a Supportive, Stigma-Free Workplace Culture: Normalize conversations around maternal health, mental well-being, and work-life balance through manager training, HR policies, and employee resource groups. Leveraging tools like the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) can help provide critical mental health support.

• Enhance Awareness and Accessibility of Healthcare Resources: Regularly communicate about available healthcare services, including workshops, webinars, and digital platforms. Employers should highlight access to tele-health solutions and platforms like Tru Doc to ensure employees can seek medical advice conveniently.

Corporate Health Insurance: The Cornerstone of Care

A strong workplace policy is only as effective as the healthcare framework supporting it. This is where corporate health insurance companies like Gulfcare play a transformative role through offerings such as:

• Comprehensive Prenatal and Postnatal Care: Our custom health insurance packages ensure that employees have access to top-tier prenatal care, childbirth services, and postnatal care. This not only safeguards the health of mother and child, but also reduces the likelihood of complications that could impact long-term well-being and workplace productivity.

• Mental Health Support with Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs): Emotional well-being is just as important as physical health during this period. Gulfcare’s Employee Assistance Programme offers confidential counselling, stress management resources, and postpartum mental health support—ensuring that employees never face these challenges alone.

• Tele-Health and Tru Doc - Making Healthcare Accessible: With newborn care often requiring parents to stay close to home, access to healthcare must be seamless. Through platforms like Tru Doc and other tele-health solutions, employees can consult healthcare professionals anytime, anywhere—minimizing disruptions and offering peace of mind.

• Family-Focused, Flexible Healthcare Packages: Every workforce is unique. As a result, Gulfcare provides adaptable solutions, from group health insurance for large corporations to tailored health insurance packages for small businesses. Whether you need medical insurance for employees in Dubai or online health insurance options, our goal is to ensure comprehensive coverage that grows with your employees’ needs.

Building a Future-Ready Workforce Starts Today

World Health Day 2025 highlights the importance of investing in maternal and newborn health—but businesses must turn awareness into action. Offering the best health insurance for employees in the UAE, flexible work policies, and proactive mental health support is not just good practice; it’s a strategic advantage that enhances employee retention, morale, and overall productivity.

We believe that investing in maternal and newborn health isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a smart business strategy that drives retention, productivity, and long-term success.

Take Action Today

At Gulfcare, we know that healthier beginnings create stronger businesses and more hopeful futures. Our tailored corporate health insurance packages, flexible tele-health solutions, and dedicated Employee Assistance Programmes are designed to help you build a supportive, future-ready workplace.

Contact us today to discover how we can empower your employees and their families and visit our blog to explore more insights and services that put employee well-being at the heart of your business.