Dr. Nima Asgari-Jirhandeh
Dr. Nima Asgari is the Director of the Asia Pacific Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. He joined the Secretariat on 10 October 2016. He has over 20 years of experience, working in public health development and health systems focusing on strategic planning and coordination of development across multiple partners.
Dr. Asgari has been with WHO since 2004, setting health system priority agendas in both global and country settings. Prior to joining APO, he coordinated WHO activities across key Thai public health agencies and international partners for non-communicable diseases, health related consequences of trade, health in all policies, and transformative health education.
In Cambodia and China, Dr. Asgari put into action his WHO headquarters experience, strengthening critical gaps of the health system to be able to respond to emerging diseases and comply with International Health Regulations. His persistent collaboration led to the development of a diagnostic microbiology laboratory network, routine surveillance system, and setting up of the modified Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) in Cambodia.
Prior to joining WHO, Dr. Asgari worked for the United Kingdom’s Health Protection Agency optimizing public health service delivery at local levels in London. He also worked on development evidence based national clinical management guidelines at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Dr. Nima Asgari received his medical degree as well as Bachelor’s degree in Parasitology from University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He has a Master’s degree in Public Health from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and is a fellow of the Faculty of Public Health in England. He has numerous peer reviewed publications covering various aspects of emerging diseases.
Session Panellist for: