Abdifatah Mohamed Shidane, fellow in the WHO Health Emergencies/Infectious Hazards Preparedness programme
Abdifatah Mohamed Shidane, fellow in the WHO Health Emergencies/Infectious Hazards Preparedness programme, 20 October 2019-20 August 2020
I am a medical doctor and have a Masters degree in clinical tropical medicine from Mahidol University. I have been working in the field of public health since I graduated from university. I am very enthusiastic about improving public health.
What inspired you to come to work everyday?
Every day was just a new opportunity to learn and build my personal and professional skills. In addition to that, the workplace was full of very committed energetic people willing to help.
What are your future goals?
For my short-term goals, I want to continue working in the field of public health and use the knowledge and skills I gained from this fellowship to improve public health in my country – Sudan. In the long run, I want to be a champion in this field and dedicate myself to work and support ongoing efforts to make the world a better place, not only for us but for future generations.
What were your major contributions during the fellowship?
I had the opportunity to get involved in several activities, including, but not limited to:
- assisting the workstream team in documenting, analysing and providing reports on active outbreaks in the Region;
- assisting in writing, formating and editing weekly and monthly publications of the infectious hazards management prgramme;
- contributing to development of a comprehensive mapping tool to expand the regional GOARN network to strengthen collaboration and support Member States of the Region;
- attending daily meetings of the regional Incident Management Support Team and taking the action and discussion points;
- supporting the health information management/surveillance pillar, particularly the COVID-19 modelling group;
- currently working on a manuscript regarding the use of the EWARN system for COVID-19 surveillance.
What is your takeaway from this fellowship?
It's important to work hard and continue to learn new skills and knowledge as every challenge leads you to a new opportunity.
What were your fun experiences outside the office in Cairo?
I have always wanted to visit Cairo; the city is full of historical places. The people were so friendly. The food was amazing. Exploring all of Cairo with other fellows made my experiences even more memorable. I look forward to seeing the great pyramids of Giza, watching the sunset near the Nile river and many other things again.
Any tips and suggestions for the future fellows?
Try to engage fully, explore new areas and learn new skills. Everything you need to grow is there, try to seize it. Do not hesitate to reach out to other colleagues for any help. Above all, be creative, prioritize your tasks and have fun.
Sandra Saad, WHO fellow in health policy and governance
Sandra Saad, WHO fellow in health policy and governance
I am a general physician with an MPH and MSc in Health Policy Planning and Financing from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
What inspired you to come to work every day?
The simple fact that it had been my dream to work in WHO since I was first aware of its existence and am blessed that my dream came true.
Your expectations versus reality?
They were the same honestly. I increased the depth of my knowledge, sharpened my skills set, developed a new perspective on public health issues and learnt from professionals working in the field.
What are your future goals?
To continue working in the field of health policy and governance and use my skills in my own country Sudan, especially through its next transitional period.
What were your major contributions during the fellowship?
I conducted a regional assessment of organizational capacity to incorporate evidence into policy processes in the Region taking Sudan as a pilot study. The assessment will be published in the near future. I am currently preparing a report analysing the role and impact of the media in the policy process regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in the Region.
What is your takeaway from this fellowship?
Meeting great people, amazing leaders and accomplishing more on both a personal and professional level.
What were your fun experiences outside the office in Cairo?
I am no stranger to Cairo, I consider it my second home and I was given the opportunity to create beautiful memories with family and friends.
Any tips and suggestions for future fellows?
Always be prepared, open minded, creative, courageous and futuristic in both your thinking and approach.
Luma Samawi, WHO fellow in mental health
Luma Samawi, WHO fellow in mental health, 20 October 2019–20 June 2020
I am a mental health professional with a Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Neuroscience, and a Master’s degree in Global Mental Health.
What inspired you to come to work everyday?
My colleagues, and especially the young professionals at the Regional Office. We encouraged and learned from each other on a daily basis, both professionally and personally.
What are your future goals?
I hope to work on reforming the mental health system in Jordan, my home country, with the goal of scaling up mental health services in primary care and the community.
What were your major contributions during the fellowship?
My main focus during the fellowship was developing advocacy and awareness materials around mental health in the workplace. I worked on synthesizing available guidance and evidence to create practical tools for promoting mental well-being and preventing mental distress. The materials were aimed at workers themselves, as well as their employers, organizations and peers.
What is your takeaway from this fellowship?
I realized that our Region is full of resources and potential, and that we need young professionals from this Region to build a clear vision and give long-term commitments in order to see change and have ownership over it.
What were your fun experiences outside the office in Cairo?
Cairo is full of fun and chaos, truly a city that never sleeps. We had the chance to visit many sites around the pyramids, Islamic Cairo, the Nile, Heliopolis and the more modern arts and cultural spots too. My favourite times were probably the potlucks and house gatherings we organized for our group from time to time – they are what made Cairo feel like home, not just a tourist spot.
Any tips and suggestions for future fellows?
Try as much as you can to engage with colleagues outside your unit and your department, and to draw connections to your own work. Good public health work is multidisciplinary and creative, so take every chance you get to step outside the box.
