Naeema Hasan Al Qasseer (Bahrain) – Global Health and Sustainable Development Expert & Former WHO Senior Official, Self.
Biography:
Dr. Naeema Al Gasseer, a Bahraini nurse midwife and Global Expert in Health and Sustainable Development, brings over 40 years of experience spanning humanitarian, development, and peace efforts. She has worked at the intersection of practice, policy, and academia, supporting countries in strengthening health systems, especially in conflict settings. She was instrumental in developing the first global strategic framework for nursing and midwifery in 2002. As WHO Representative, she has led missions to address critical health threats in Iraq, Sudan, Egypt, and Libya.
She used ‘Health as a Bridge for Peace’ as a tool engaging communities with equity lens. Her humanitarian work integrates health systems with peacebuilding and development goals.
• Dr. Al Gasseer has influenced global health policy, e.g contributing to the Initiative for Climate Action for Nutrition at COP 27 in 2022, and highlighting the link between climate change and health. As a leader in health diplomacy, she has coordinated multisectoral partnerships and developed strategies focusing on rights-based approaches to health. Actively engaged with ATACH (Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health) since its inception to drive the implementation of COP26 goals, focusing on building climate-resilient and low-carbon sustainable health systems where is there is a clear pillar for Work Force.
With a Ph.D. in Nursing Science in Women’s Health, Dr. Al Gasseer has held senior positions within WHO, including as Assistant Regional Director, shaping health policies across the Eastern Mediterranean region. Her leadership has been recognized with numerous awards in all the fields and social responsibility, including an Honorary Doctorate from Glasgow Caledonian University; bestowed by His Majesty the King of Bahrain and inducted as American Academy of Nursing Fellow.
