Why would you like to be on the NCDA Board of Directors?

As a person living with type 1 diabetes, a medical doctor, and a global health policy specialist, I have dedicated my life to championing the rights and wellbeing of people living with NCDs—particularly those most affected by conflict, displacement, and inequality. I want to serve on the NCDA Board of Directors to represent the lived experiences and aspirations of my community in the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond, and to help shape meaningful, inclusive, and actionable policies at the global level.

I believe deeply in the NCDA’s mission, and I see this role as a unique opportunity to bring my perspective—as someone who has navigated both the realities of LMICs and the privileges of an HIC—to the forefront of decision-making. From coordinating emergency diabetes responses in Gaza and Lebanon, to contributing to WHO’s regional frameworks, and mentoring youth across regions, I have witnessed how global frameworks can and must center lived experience to drive real, lasting change.

Joining the NCDA Board is not just a personal honour—it is a chance to give back, to serve, and to contribute to a vision where people living with NCDs are not only heard but meaningfully involved in shaping their futures. Together, I believe we can build more responsive systems, stronger communities, and a fairer world.

What makes you a good candidate for the lived experience sea on the NCDA Board of Directors? 

I bring a unique and holistic perspective to the Board—rooted in my personal journey as someone living with type 1 diabetes, and enriched by my professional roles as a doctor, health systems researcher, policy developer, and community advocate. My lived experience has not only informed my passion but shaped my purpose.

Over the past years, I have worked with multiple global and regional organizations, including the WHO EMRO, Médecins Sans Frontières, T1International, IDF, and NCDA itself, where I am now a member of the Global Advisory Committee. I have spoken at international forums, supported grassroots health initiatives, and contributed to major reports like the Lancet Commission on Type 1 Diabetes and global diabetes stigma consensus statements. I am equally comfortable sitting with policymakers as I am in clinics or community gatherings—bridging perspectives with empathy and strategy.

Having moved from Gaza to the UK, I carry a deep awareness of health disparities, and this fuels my advocacy for equity—particularly for those in humanitarian settings and LMICs. I've led youth initiatives, designed tools to support NCD care in crises, and mentored emerging advocates from across regions.

As a Board member, I will bring energy, integrity, and lived insight. I will champion the meaningful engagement of our community, push for practical, context-sensitive solutions, and work to ensure the NCDA remains a beacon of inclusive leadership. I am ready to serve, collaborate, and represent with humility and purpose.