The MENA Health Policy Forum (MENA HPF) is pleased to announce the composition of its Board of Trustees for the 2025–2029 term, following the completion of the Forum’s governance and election processes in August 2025.
The newly appointed Board brings together distinguished leaders and experts with extensive regional and global experience in health policy, public health, health systems strengthening, research, and strategic leadership. The Board will provide strategic direction, oversight, and guidance to advance the Forum’s mission of promoting inclusive, evidence‑informed health policies and fostering regional collaboration across the Middle East and North Africa.
Board Leadership
1. Dr Sameh El‑Saharty (Egypt) – Chairperson
Dr Sameh El‑Saharty is a Senior Health Policy Advisor with over 40 years of global experience in health systems reform, health financing, and public health strategy. He served at the World Bank for 25 years, most recently as Lead Health Policy Specialist, and continues to work as a Senior Health Policy Advisor and Consultant. Prior to joining the World Bank, he held senior roles with USAID, WHO, UNFPA, Harvard University, The American University in Cairo, and Pathfinder International, and served as Adjunct Assistant Professor at Georgetown University. His work spans more than 30 countries across the MENA region, Africa, Asia, and the United States.
2. Dr Mary El Deeb (Lebanon) – Vice Chairperson
Dr Mary El Deeb is an Associate Professor at the Lebanese American University, Gilbert and Rose‑Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Beirut, where she coordinates the Population Health and Global Medicine theme. She holds a PhD from Johns Hopkins University and an MPH from the American University of Beirut. She has authored and co‑authored numerous peer‑reviewed publications and edited “Beirut: A Health Profile (1984–1994)”, with a focus on population health and public health systems.
Board Members
3. Dr Haytham El Hajjar (Lebanon)
Dr Haytham El Hajjar is a healthcare executive with over 30 years of experience in hospital administration, health systems development, and strategic transformation. He is the Founder and Manager of Welgenome Company, integrating genomics, preventive medicine, and personalized wellness solutions. He previously served in executive leadership roles across the Gulf region and as Director General of the Lebanese Red Cross, leading major institutional reform initiatives.
4. Dr Ahmed Mohamed Abdullah AlQasmi (Oman)
Dr Ahmed AlQasmi is a biostatistician and health planning expert with extensive leadership experience in health statistics, research, and national strategic planning in Oman. He previously served as Director General of Planning and Studies and Director of Health Information and Statistics at the Ministry of Health, Sultanate of Oman, and played a central role in the development of national health strategies, including Health Vision 2050 and contributions to Oman Vision 2040.
5. Dr Walid V. Nammour (Palestine)
Dr Walid Nammour is a healthcare executive and strategic health management analyst with over 35 years of leadership experience in hospital administration, NGO leadership, and public sector reform in Palestine. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem and as Country Director of the Welfare Association (Taawon), and has contributed to national health reform efforts through the Inter‑Ministerial Committee for Health Reform.
6. Dr Mohannad Al Nsour (Jordan)
Dr Mohannad Al Nsour is a medical doctor and internationally recognized expert in field epidemiology, operational research, and public health systems. He has served as Executive Director of the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) since 2009, leading regional initiatives in surveillance, applied epidemiology, and implementation of the International Health Regulations. He has authored over 70 peer‑reviewed publications and serves in several global advisory roles, including Chair of the GOARN Steering Committee.
7. Dr Naglaa El‑Tigani (Sudan)
Dr Naglaa El‑Tigani is a public health specialist with 17 years of experience in health policy development, research leadership, and capacity building across the MENA region. She currently serves as Head of the Research Unit at the Riyadh First Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She has contributed to more than 30 peer‑reviewed publications and is a Fellow through Distinction of the Faculty of Public Health, UK.
The MENA Health Policy Forum extends its sincere congratulations to the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and all Board members. The Forum looks forward to their leadership and collective expertise during the 2025–2029 term, as it continues to strengthen its role as a regional platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and evidence‑based health policy development.
