Dr. Ahmed Belal is a distinguished physician and public health professional with an extensive background in health policy, family medicine, and public health. He holds an MD from Cairo University, an MPH from Memorial University, and a PhD in Health Policy from McMaster University. His research and practical expertise span citizen engagement, evidence-informed decision-making, and noncommunicable disease management.
During his tenure as the Assistant Director of the Noncommunicable Diseases Unit at the Egyptian Ministry of Health, Dr. Belal led critical national initiatives aimed at improving diabetes management and public health awareness. He worked closely with high-ranking officials, including the Minister of Health, while spearheading nationwide campaigns and managing the quarantine department at the Sharm El Sheikh seaport. His leadership and coordination skills were essential in ensuring the success of these initiatives and enhancing public health outcomes.
Dr. Belal’s research focuses on the use of research evidence in health policy advocacy, particularly in the context of citizen engagement. He has made notable contributions as a founding member of the WHO’s Community of Practice on Citizen Engagement and Evidence-Informed Decision-Making, where he has played an instrumental role in shaping global dialogues on how to empower citizens as health policy advocates.
In academia, Dr. Belal has been a committed educator and mentor, having taught a variety of health policy and public health courses to both graduate and undergraduate students at McMaster University. His dedication to teaching was recognized when he received McMaster University’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 2021. His leadership extends beyond the classroom, having co-Chaired the New Frontiers in Health Policy conference and founded McMaster’s JEDI-IR initiative, which champions equity, diversity, and inclusion within the university and beyond.
Beyond his professional and academic roles, Dr. Belal was actively involved in community-based public health initiatives. His work on the mDiabetes campaign, designed to improve diabetes management in Egypt, and the innovative “Dinner in the Dark” project, which raises awareness for the rights of the visually disabled, are exemplary of his commitment to public health advocacy.
Dr. Belal is Fluent in Arabic, English, and French, Dr. Belal brings a wealth of cross-cultural experience and expertise to his work, embodying a collaborative approach to improving health systems and advancing health equity.
Dr. Ahmed Belal, MD, MPH, PhD, is a seasoned public health expert with over a decade of experience in public health, health policy, noncommunicable disease management, and community engagement. With advanced degrees from Cairo University, Memorial University, and McMaster University, Dr. Belal has led impactful health initiatives as the Assistant Director of the Noncommunicable Diseases Unit at the Egyptian Ministry of Health. A founding member of the WHO’s Community of Practice on Citizen Engagement, he is a recognized voice in evidence-informed decision-making. As an award-winning educator at McMaster University, he has demonstrated a commitment to health equity, teaching excellence, and inclusive leadership, including through the founding of McMaster’s JEDI-IR initiative. Fluent in Arabic, English, and French, Dr. Belal combines global experience with a collaborative approach to advancing health outcomes and public health advocacy.
