Yousef Alrawi, WHO fellow in noncommunicable diseases

I found my experience very rewarding. I learned about WHO vision, mission and scope of work and I have a better understanding about the WHO role in supporting countries in the Region. I also had the chance to develop my technical skills in noncommunicable diseases.

I am a medical doctor from Iraq with a Masters in Public Health from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom.

What are your future goals?

I hope to continue working in a close relationship with WHO and to come back in the future to utilize my knowledge and experience to contribute to a world where people have better health and well-being.

What were your major contributions during the fellowship?

• I developed 5 case studies to showcase good practices to address the burden of noncommunicable diseases in different countries.
• I contributed to the development of Be He@lthy, Be Mobile Advocacy Pack document.
• I researched a developed a short report on the burden of COVID-19 among people living with noncommunicable diseases in the Region.
• I developed graphs and presentations on physical inactivity and tobacco use in the Region.

What were your fun experiences outside the office in Cairo?

Cairo had a lot to offer from visiting the pyramids to going on a cruise in the Nile River. I also had the chance to visit Alexandria, Port Said and Fayyuom.

Any tips or suggestions for future fellows?

Make the most out of this experience and engage with young and senior staff in the office to learn about their work and be proactive.