Arooj Jalal, WHO fellow in health workforce development

Arooj Jalal, WHO fellow in health workforce development, 20 October 2019–20 July 2020

 My fellowship was an excellent work experience. The Regional Office provided a very rich working environment, especially for young professionals. The exposure to a spectrum of work streams in public health, across the Region was an incredible opportunity.

I am a dentist and a public health professional with a graduate degree in International Health from Charite University, Berlin. I was working in the public health field in Pakistan for 2 years before joining the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean as a fellow.

What inspired you to come to work everyday?

The work itself was the biggest motivator, being part of meaningful work really inspires you to do your job to the best of your ability.

What are your future goals?

I look forward to contributing towards the strengthening and empowering the health workforce in the Region. 

What were your major contributions during the fellowship?

I developed health workforce snapshots for all countries of the Region which provide a brief overview of health situation in each country. I have conducted literature reviews on community health workers, primary health care and primary health care workers in the Region. I also organized weekly learning seminars for young professionals in the office.

What is your takeaway from this fellowship?

Being open to new experiences is a very important part of professional and personal growth, while its good to have an aim and a direction, it's great to be open to new opportunities.

What were your fun experiences outside of the office in Cairo?

Coming to Cairo as a batch with the other fellows made the whole experience even more memorable. Cairo is a very unique and special place to live and being able to explore the city and its history has been an extraordinary experience.

Any tips or suggestions for future fellows?

The office and all the senior professionals are very welcoming and have an open door policy, future fellows should approach and connect with experts in the area of their interests and make the most of this opportunity.

 Working at the WHO Regional Office was the most significant stepping stone in my professional life so far. It was such a delight working with colleagues and experts from all across the world, in a very enriching and supportive environment.