Faihaa Dafalla

Dr. Faihaa Dafalla serves as a Postdoctoral Associate in the Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases at Yale School of Public Health. A physician and public health specialist with over a decade of experience, she focuses on health systems strengthening in conflict-affected regions through universal health coverage (UHC) and primary health care (PHC) frameworks, collaborating with WHO, UNICEF, World Bank, and EU on national health strategies in Sudan.

Her academic credentials include:

• Clinical Doctorate in Community Medicine (2024)
• Master of Science in Public and Tropical Health (2014)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Health Management, Planning, and Policy (2015)

Dr. Dafalla's research integrates health equity into post-conflict recovery, emphasizing sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), health financing strategies, and Health in All Policies (HiAP) implementation. Her work addresses systemic challenges in decentralization, community engagement, and resilient health system design for marginalized populations.

Key recognitions include:

• Advanced International Training Programme on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ITP13, 2018) at Lund University

She managed Sudan's $33+ million GAVI Health System Strengthening portfolio and led national strategy development for health sector recovery, PHC strengthening, and global health diplomacy. Her leadership extends to chairing the Global Academy for SRHR Steering Committee and adapting the Joint Learning Network's UHC PHC Self-Assessment Tool.

Dr. Dafalla contributes to global health initiatives through WHO consultancy and cross-institutional partnerships focused on policy implementation in fragile states.