Shamsuzzoha Babar Syed

Dr Shams Syed currently coordinates the WHO Unit focused on quality systems and resilience within the WHO Department of Service Delivery & Safety at WHO Headquarters in Geneva. Dr Syed oversaw the development of the architecture of this WHO Unit as the Strategic Advisor for UHC & Quality. Dr Syed played a pivotal role in the work of WHO in Ebola affected countries in west Africa as the technical lead for early recovery at WHO headquarters. He currently oversees the global WHO initiative on national quality policy & strategy. He previously led the development and implementation of African Partnerships for Patient Safety since the inception of this innovative programme in 2008. He now oversees the WHO Twinning Partnerships for Improvement. He has a focused academic interest in reverse innovation in global health systems. Dr Syed received his medical degree from St. George's, University of London, and practiced as a General Practitioner in the UK. He received postgraduate public health training at the University of Cambridge. Subsequently, he trained in Preventive Medicine at Johns Hopkins University, is US Board Certified in Public Health & Preventive Medicine and is a Fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine. His previous experiences include: involvement in a multi-country health systems research consortium; working at the Pan American Health Organization with seven Caribbean countries on strengthening health systems and specifically surveillance systems; and working as the Advisor on Family and Community Health at WHO Trinidad and Tobago.