Agenda

Dr Melanie Bertram is Unit Head for Insights, Capacity and Operations in the Department of Data, Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence at the World Health Organization. An experienced health economist, she has a strong background in global health policy, health systems strengthening, epidemiology, health technology assessment (HTA), and value-or money analysis. At WHO, she has led and contributed to initiatives focused on economic evaluation, digital health, innovation, impact investment and evidence-informed policy development to support resilient and equitable health systems. Prior to joining WHO, Dr Bertram worked in research and policy roles in the international health and development sector, focusing on translating evidence into practical policy solutions for governments and partners. She holds a Ph.D. in Public Health (Health Economics) from The University of Queensland.

Mr. Eskandar is the Projects Implementation Lead in areas of Digital Services and Digital Transformation at the Telecommunication Development Bureau of ITU. Mr. Eskandar is currently involved in providing assistance to several developing countries by advising on digital applications and services strategies and policies, assisting in implementing technical co-operation projects in areas of digital governance, health, agriculture, and education. Mr Eskandar is currently leading major projects on digital government, open source for public services, digital health, digital agriculture, and smart villages in collaboration with several governments, UN agencies and other stakeholders. He has led the development of several guidelines and best practices reports on digital applications particularly on digital Government, digital Health and digital Agriculture.

Mr. Eskandar has more than 30 years of extensive on-the-ground experience in the field of ICT for Development where he, through working with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent in Switzerland and, UNDP, Ministry of ICT and other NGOs in Egypt, was involved in several development projects in the fields of Health, Education, Illiteracy Eradication, Community Development, SME development and Micro Credits. 

Mr. Eskandar has an educational background in Electrical Engineering (Telecommunications) and has completed an MBA from McGill University, Canada and a Master Degree in Social and Economic Development Studies from University of Paris I, France.

Dr. Derrick Muneene is the Team Lead for the Assessment, Planning and Partnerships Team within the Insights, Capacity and Operations Unit of the Department of Data, Digital Health, Analytics and AI at the World Health Organization (WHO) Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. He has over 25 years of progressive experience in global digital health, health information systems, digital transformation, public health informatics, digital health governance, capacity development, and strategic partnerships.

Dr. Muneene leads WHO's work on digital health assessment, planning, and partnerships, including the Secretariat of the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH), development and implementation of the Global Strategy on Digital Health,  and collaboration with Member States and international partners to accelerate the digital transformation of health systems.

Prior to his current role, he served as Unit Head, Capacity Building and Collaboration in the Department of Digital Health and Innovation within WHO's Science Division, where he led WHO's global work on digital health capacity building, partnerships, and knowledge exchange. During this period, he played a key role in advancing the implementation of the Global Strategy on Digital Health and strengthening international collaboration to support countries in their digital health transformation.

Dr. Muneene holds a PhD and an MSc in Public Health, an MSc in Information Systems Management, a BSc in Computer Science and professional certifications in project management, including PRINCE2 and CompTIA Project+. Before joining WHO Headquarters, he served as the Regional mHealth and eHealth Adviser for the WHO Regional Office for Africa, where he supported 47 countries in developing national digital health strategies, governance frameworks, and digital health programmes. Prior to joining WHO, he worked with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), serving as Acting Branch Chief for Health Informatics and as Health Systems Analyst/Health Applications Manager, leading the design and implementation of national digital health systems.

Melissa joined the World Health Organization HQ in 2022. She serves as Technical Lead for the Global Initiative on Digital Health, a WHO Managed Network of Networks, supporting strategy and external partnerships for digital health transformation within the Department of Data, Digital Health, Analytics and AI. She has 13 years of experience managing and implementing programs in digital- and community health, information management for emergency response and CRVS- and clinical trial digitalization across countries in the African region and at the global level.

Previously, she has worked with UNICEF, Plan International, Transparency International, the pharmaceutical/life science sector as well as youth inclusion in health innovation. She holds Bachelor Degrees in Chemistry and Business Management from Wittenberg University, United States, and a Master’s in International Maternal and Child Health from Uppsala University, Sweden.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-kashoka-43813229/