About us
The establishment of the An-Najah National University Institute for Global Health (GHI) was born out of the acute need to improve the public health situation in Palestine. Acting as a bridge between international and local stakeholders, GHI aims to improve public health in Palestine and correct the institutional drawbacks thereof. Under its affiliation with An-Najah National University (ANNU) as a pioneer of health research, GHI is uniquely positioned to translate the immense production of health research into healthcare interventions by collaboration with local researchers, moving research beyond the frontiers of academia.
Given the presence of multiple public health bodies in Palestine and the wider region, the GHI will distinguish its work by adapting a global approach. The institute aims to situate Palestine on the global health map by establishing connections with international health institutes and joining global health platforms to improve the bidirectional flow of health information.
The GHI’s potential contribution to improving health services and outcomes is manifested in many ways. First, the GHI generates evidence-based conclusions to inform and coordinate health campaigns and interventions. GHI implements health interventions by relying on existing evidence of cost-effectiveness to ensure that these interventions produce positive population-level outcomes. Moreover, the institute serves as a platform for education and training by capitalizing on ANNU’s educational resources to provide training sessions, educational courses, and micro-credentials to equip healthcare workers, researchers, and students with suitable skills and competencies. Finally, the GHI serves as a hub of global health research, facilitating collaboration between academics, practitioners, and health students.
Staff
Dr. Kherieh Rassas
General Supervisor of the Institute
Dr. Rassas is the Vice President for International and External Affairs at ANNU, with a diversified academic background in optometry and law. Dr. Rassas is the founder of the first optometry college in Palestine. She has a track record achievement in introducing several new legislations and presidential decrees and has received an award from Queen Elizabeth II decorated as Serving Sister, MStJ Grade V, for establishing the community eye health program in Palestine, and knighted by the rank of Knight (Chevalier) of France’s National Order of Merit, for promoting French- Palestinian relations.
Dr. Abdulsalam Khayyat
Acting Manager
Dr. Khayyat is the Vice President for Academic affairs at An-Najah National University. Dr. Khayyat is an associate Professor of Epidemiology, a Public Health expert in Palestine and the wider MENA region. He is a scientific collaborator at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, University of Basel in Switzerland and Honorary senior researcher in the Population Health Sciences in Bristol Medical School at Bristol University, UK. His research work focuses on the area on non-communicable disease including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and mental health, as well as Health Policy and Management.
Dr. Sari Taha
Program Coordinator
Dr. Sari is a medical doctor and a specialist in global health. He holds a postgraduate degree in international health from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) KIT institute in the Netherlands, awarded with distinction. He has an experience working in clinical care, primary healthcare, public health, medical education, and academia. His research focuses on global health, epidemiology, and dermatology.