School of Social and Political Science

Background

Saqif is a researcher at the Global Health Policy Unit, University of Edinburgh, and Technical Officer (Health Systems Resilience and Essential Public Health Functions) in the Special Programme on Primary Health Care at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters. He was previously a Consultant in the Integrated Health Services Department at WHO.

His research focuses on health systems and policy responses to infectious diseases like Ebola and COVID-19 in low resource and fragile settings (such as Liberia). His research aims to examine policy formation and the approaches taken to strengthen emergency preparedness and response capacities, in tandem with routine health system functionality, in the wake of Ebola and how these have been deployed in the context of COVID-19 and beyond.

PhD Supervisors

Dr. Mark Hellowell and Prof. Devi Sridhar

Qualifications

2010-2019: MB ChB BSc (Hons.), Medicine and Pharmacology, Edinburgh Medical School; MSc, Global Health Policy, Global Health Policy Unit, The University of Edinburgh; 2019-present: PhD, Global Health Policy, Global Health Policy Unit, The University of Edinburgh; 2020-present: FRSPH, Fellow, Royal Society for Public Health UK.

Publications

Peer-reviewed publications:

Czerniewska, A., Sharkey, A., Portela, A., Drapkin, S., Mustafa, S., 2024. National COVID-19 preparedness and response plans: a global review from the perspective of services for maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and older people. BMJ Global Health, 9(3), p.e013711. Available at: https://gh.bmj.com/content/9/3/e013711 

Mustafa S, Zhang Y, Zibwowa Z, Seifeldin R, Ako-Egbe L, McDarby G, Kelley E, Saikat S. COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plans from 106 countries: a review from a health systems resilience perspective. Health Policy and Planning. 2022; czab08. Available at:  https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czab089 

Jakab Z, Selbie D, Squires N, Mustafa S, Saikat S. Building the evidence base for global health policy: the need to strengthen institutional networks, geographical representation and global collaboration. BMJ Glob Health. 2021 Aug;6(8):e006852. Available from https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006852. PMID: 34385163; PMCID: PMC8362694.

Mustafa S, & McDarby G. (2021). Building resilience through integrated health systems strengthening: policy and planning analysis. European Journal of Public Health, Volume 31, Issue Supplement_3, October 2021, ckab165.102, available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckab165.102 

Mazingi D, …, & Mustafa S. (2023). Building back better children’s surgical services toward universal health coverage: Perspectives from Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. Front Public Health, 11, 1073319. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1073319 

Hellevik, S., Mustafa, S., Zhang, Y., Shirsat, A., & Saikat, S. (2023). Multisectoral action towards sustainable development goal 3.d and building health systems resilience during and beyond COVID-19: Findings from an INTOSAI development initiative and World Health Organization collaboration. Front public health, 11, 1104669. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1104669 

Saikat, S., Selbie, D., McDarby, G., Mustafa, S., ..., Jakab, Z. (2023). Health systems recovery in the context of COVID-19 and protracted conflict. Frontiers in public health, 11, 1205286. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1205286

McDarby, G., Seifeldin, R., Zhang, Y., Mustafa, S., ..., Saikat, S. (2023). A synthesis of concepts of resilience to inform operationalization of health systems resilience in recovery from disruptive public health events including COVID-19. Frontiers in public health, 11, 1105537. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1105537

McNicholas, T., Hendrick, L., McDarby, G., Mustafa, S., …, Holohan, T. (2023). A novel approach to utilizing the essential public health functions in Ireland's health system recovery and reform. Frontiers in public health, 11, 1074356. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1074356

Zhang, Y., McDarby, G., Seifeldin, R., Mustafa, S., ..., Saikat, S. (2023). Towards applying the essential public health functions for building health systems resilience: A renewed list and key enablers for operationalization. Frontiers in public health, 10, 1107192. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1107192 

Mosam A, Fisher DA, Hunter MB, Kunjumen T, Mustafa S, Nair TS, Ogunlayi F, Campbell J, WHO Roadmap For Public Health and Emergency Workforce Working Group. Public health and emergency workforce: a roadmap for WHO and partner contributions. BMJ Global Health 2022;7:e009592. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2022-009592 

Cheong Chi Mo, J., Shah, A., Downey, C., Genay-Diliautas, S., Saikat, S., Mustafa, S., Meru, N., Dalil, S., Schmets, G., & Porignon, D. (2023). Developing technical support and strategic dialogue at the country level to achieve Primary Health Care-based health systems beyond the COVID-19 era. Frontiers in public health, 11, 1102325. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1102325 

G McDarby, S Mustafa, Y Zhang, R Seifieldin, S Saikat, L Hendricks, T McNicholas, Essential Public Health Functions in Ireland: Perspectives to strengthen capacities and stewardship: Geraldine McDarby, European Journal of Public Health, Volume 32, Issue Supplement_3, October 2022, ckac129.207, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckac129.207

Y Zhang, S Mustafa, G McDarby, R Seifieldin, S Saikat, G Schmets, Applying Essential Public Health Functions in building health systems’ resilience globally. European Journal of Public Health, Volume 32, Issue Supplement_3, October 2022, ckac129.205, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckac129.205

Mustafa S. (2021). Towards innovative Universal Health Coverage in Bangladesh. South East Asia Journal of Public Health. 11(1), 1-9. Available from: https://seajph-phfbd.org/index.php/seajph/article/view/6 

Omoleke, S., Bayugo, Y., Oyene, U., Abrahams, J., Gobat, N., Good, S., Manandhar, M., Elfeky, S., Hernandez Bonilla, A., Valentine, N., Alger, J., Huda, Q., Mustafa, S., ..., Ekwunife, O. WHO Community Engagement Package: A Reinforcement of an Inclusive Approach to Global Public Health. International Journal of Epidemiology and Health Sciences, 2021; 2(7): -. doi: 10.51757/IJEHS.2.7.2021.244835. Available from:  http://www.ijehs.com/article_244835.html 

Technical resources and reports:

Saikat S, Mustafa S, Seifeldin R, Zhang Y, McDarby G. Health system resilience indicators: an integrated package for measuring and monitoring health system resilience in countries. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2024. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240088986 

McDarby G, Zhang Y, Mustafa S. Essential public health functions in Ireland: perspectives to strengthen public health capacities and stewardship. World Health Organization. 2023. ISBN: 978-92-4-005744-9 (electronic version); ISBN 978-92-4-005745-6 (print version). Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240057449

Mustafa S, Bodson O. Fostering resilience through integrated health system strengthening: a perspective on Liberia and Bangladesh. World Health Organization & USAID. 2021. ISBN: 9789240033290 (‎electronic version);‎ 9789240033306 (‎print version)‎. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240033290 

Bolongei M, Ako-Egbe L, Girmay A, Saikat S, Seifeldin R, Mustafa S. Operationalising health systems resilience through a multi-year initiative in Liberia and Ethiopia. WHO Health Services Learning Hub. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022. Available at: https://hlh.who.int/ab-detail/operationalizing-health-systems-resilience-in-liberia-and-ethiopia 

Ongom M, Sotimehin O, Saikat S, Seifeldin R, Mustafa S. Post-conflict health system recovery efforts in South Sudan. WHO Health Services Learning Hub. Geneva: World Heath Organization 2022. Available at: https://hlh.who.int/ab-detail/post-conflict-health-system-recovery-efforts-in-south-sudan 

Nair T, Mustafa S, Kunjument T. National workforce capacity to implement the essential public health functions including a focus on emergency preparedness and response: roadmap for aligning WHO and partner contributions. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240050402 

Health systems resilience toolkit: a WHO global public health good to support building and strengthening of sustainable health systems resilience in countries with various contexts. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022. Available at: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/354177 

Regional landscape of national public health institutions in Africa and their role, scope and capacity in supporting health systems resilience. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2022. Available from https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/365269 

21st century health challenges: can the essential public health functions make a difference?: discussion paper. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021. Available from https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/351510 

Fostering resilience through integrated health system strengthening: technical meeting report. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021 (Fostering resilience through integrated health system strengthening series). Available from https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/344523 

A review of joint external evaluations and national action plans for health security in 13 countries from a health systems perspective. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021 (Fostering resilience through integrated health system strengthening series). Available from https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/344522 

Health service continuity planning for public health emergencies: a handbook for health facilities. Interim version for field testing. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021. Available from https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/344796 

WHO Position Paper: Building Health Systems Resilience for Universal Health Coverage and Health Security During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-UHL-PHC-SP-2021.01 

A Brief on the WHO Position: Building Health Systems Resilience for Universal Health Coverage and Health Security During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-UHL-PHC-SP-2021.02

Mustafa S. The role of public health institutes in enhancing health system resilience in Africa: a critical review. The University of Edinburgh and World Health Organization; 2019. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335474891_The_role_of_public_health_institutes_in_enhancing_health_system_resilience_in_Africa

Conference oral presentations:

Mustafa S. (2023). WHO Health System Resilience Indicators: a package to support countries in measuring and monitoring health system resilience [Conference presentation]. USAID & Global Resilience Partnership: Resilience Evidence Forum 2023. Cape Town, South Africa. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__4yd-DkhcE 

Mustafa S, McDarby G. (2021). Building resilience through integrated health systems strengthening: policy and planning analysis [Conference Poster Presentation]. 14th European Public Health Conference 2021. Dublin, Republic of Ireland.

Mustafa S. (2020). From fragility to resilience: assessing opportunities, analysing challenges, and monitoring progress in Liberia’s health services [Conference Paper]. Health Systems Global: 6th Global Symposium on Health Systems Research. Dubai, UAE.

Blog posts:

Mustafa S, Zhang Y, Zibwowa Z, Seifeldin R, Ako-Egbe L, McDarby G, Kelley E, Saikat S. Current approaches to COVID-19 emergency response planning: scope to promote health systems resilience and reduce avoidable death and illness. Health Policy and Planning Debated. 2021. Available at: https://blogs.lshtm.ac.uk/hppdebated/2021/08/11/current-approaches-to-covid-19-emergency-response-planning-scope-to-promote-health-systems-resilience-and-reduce-avoidable-death-and-illness/   

Training courses designed and delivered:

An integrated approach to building health systems resilience. OpenWHO. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2022. Available from: https://openwho.org/courses/health-service-resilience 

“Module 2, V1: Strengthening health systems through community engagement” and “Module 2, V2: Community engagement in health systems strengthening, primary health care, UHC and the SDGs” in the WHO Community Engagement Learning Package. YouTube. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2021. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLihSvTE5fLYjoLAe82uZUYQSyvc_GqcUf