Meet Mecciya Majrashi - World Patients Alliance

This section features Questions and Answers with Mecciya Majrashi, Member, WPA Advisory Board and Asia-Pacific Region Steering Committee.

Patients’ Voice is WPA’s quarterly Newsletter opening windows to news, activities, interactions and events organized by WPA, its member organizations around the globe and the international stakeholders working for patient safety and quality healthcare. Patients’ Voice features an interview with the top-tier WPA management in its quarterly issues and in August 2024, this is the time to meet Mecciya Majrashi.

Patients’ Voice thanks Mecciya for sharing her story.

Patients’ Voice: When did you first get involved in the nonprofit world/community?

MM: It was over seven years after meeting the Motaafi (Cancer Survivor Foundation) that I became deeply involved in their advocacy work. This was in March 2018.

Patients’ Voice: What led you to get involved?

MM: As a cancer survivor myself, I had been feeling the pain silently and was looking forward to saving other patients by spreading awareness about their rights and how to speak up for safe lives. The cancer survivors’ community triggered my energy when they approached me in my role as a Patient Empowerment manager at Saudi Patient Safety at the time. They were asking how to better embed patient safety protocols for cancer patients within the healthcare system.

Patients’ Voice: Is your background in nonprofit management or were you involved in a career when you began your work?

MM: I had approximately seven years of experience in nonprofit management as a Board Member at Motaafi (Cancer Survivor Foundation). In this role, I helped develop strategies and establish a patient support program to assist the Executive Board Members in achieving the organization’s goals and objectives. I also provided support to the broader team to work towards better outcomes for the cancer survivor community..

Patients’ Voice: What would you say is the most rewarding part of working with a nonprofit?

MM: The most rewarding aspect of working with a nonprofit organization is the ability to directly contribute to a meaningful cause and witness the positive impact of our efforts on the community or issue that the nonprofit is addressing.

Nonprofit organizations are typically centered around providing critical services, advocacy, or other support for important social, environmental, or humanitarian needs. By being part of that endeavor, we have the privilege of seeing firsthand how our work can enhance people’s lives, safeguard the planet, or advance crucial causes

Patients’ Voice: What is the most challenging part of working with a nonprofit?

MM: Like many nonprofit organizations, we may face a variety of challenges. The most common and difficult aspects can include limited resources, competing priorities, relentless fundraising demands, complex regulatory requirements, high workloads, measuring impact, and staff burnout.

The specific challenges can vary across different nonprofit organizations. However, the key is to stay focused on how to effectively tackle these issues in a way that is tailored to the unique needs and context of your particular organization.

By developing strategic approaches to address these common nonprofit hurdles, you can work to overcome them and better fulfill your organization’s mission. It requires creativity, resilience and a commitment to finding solutions, but the rewards of supporting important causes make it a worthwhile endeavor.

Patients’ Voice: What would you tell someone who was thinking about working or being involved with a nonprofit health organization?

MM: The most essential qualities for success in the nonprofit sector are a deep-rooted commitment to the cause, a willingness to work tirelessly, and the ability to thrive in a constantly evolving, resource-limited environment. If you possess these attributes, the rewards of contributing to improved health outcomes and making a tangible difference can be immensely fulfilling.

Patients’ Voice: What are you most proud of because of your work in the nonprofit world?

MM: In April 2020, a cancer patient reached out seeking emotional support and guidance on managing complications after the patient’s first chemotherapy cycle. In the following week, more messages were received on social media from people with various questions about the cancer patient journey, as many hospitals had suspended routine services due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two significant events occurred during this period. One patient in the Capital city of Riyadh could not travel outside her region for a scheduled chemotherapy session due to COVID-19, significantly affecting her treatment plan. Another patient was informed that her physician had been infected by COVID-19 and could not provide treatment, but she was not given any information on where to go or who to see for alternative care.

These events highlighted unsafe situations that could lead to patient harm, demonstrating that adverse patient safety events were still occurring in the healthcare system during the pandemic, likely increasing rather than decreasing.

Motaafi, a cancer survivor endowment, recognized the gap in the healthcare system, as patients required information and support during their cancer journey but did not know where to turn due to COVID-19. Motaafi is committed to advocacy for both healthcare workers and patients, believing that everyone is a partner in the healthcare system, not just during a pandemic but throughout the entire journey.

To address this situation, Motaafi launched a long-term advocacy campaign on May 8, 2020, aimed at addressing the healthcare needs and concerns raised by cancer patients and their families through engagement, empowerment, and advocacy. The campaign included three programs:

Six electronic visits by psychologists and social workers providing emotional support, information, and guidance on breaking news and managing the grieving process.

Eleven support group sessions led by oncologists, psychologists, social workers, and peers, focusing on the patient and family cancer journey.

Seven Thursday guest programs co-led by oncologists and cancer survivors, presenting various topics followed by a Q&A session.

The campaign exceeded the initial participation target of 5,000, with a total of 11,321 participants, demonstrating the significant need and desire for patients and families to be empowered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patients’ Voice: If you want, you can share a little bit about yourself. The number of kids, pets, and anything things else that would put a more personal spin on the article.

MM: I am single and deeply passionate about patient advocacy. With over 22 years of experience working in the healthcare sector, I’ve had the amazing support of my family, who stood by me through both the good and bad times.

I love to experience new things and take on challenges, especially when it comes to traveling. Being a part of the World Patients Alliance has added value to my life, allowing me to further dedicate myself to this important cause.