Hanan Abukmail

  • Country of Origin: Palestine
  • Home University: Islamic University of Gaza
  • Host University & Country: University of Cambridge - United Kingdom
  • PhD Title: Designing a resilient health system for delivering maternal and neonatal healthcare in complex humanitarian settings
  • Year of Completion: 2030
Hanan Abukmail

PhD Overview

The research aims to apply a systems engineering approach to design conflict-resilient maternal health systems. Using a mixed-methods methodology, it will first identify the key system functions necessary to deliver maternal and child healthcare across diverse settings. Through system decomposition and a series of lived-experience case studies, it will explore how these functions can be delivered in different ways depending on the state of the health system. The project will then develop a set of interventions to support the re-engineering of health services, with a focus on enhancing their resilience to disruption. This is expected to include strategies such as system decentralization to strengthen care at the community and primary care levels. The research will draw on institutional knowledge from organizations like the WHO and ICRC, as well as the insights and experiences of frontline clinical providers in conflict-affected areas.

Sustainability Goals

  • Good Health and Well-being
  • Reduced Inequalities

About Me

Dr. Hanan Abukmail is a medical doctor who studied and practiced medicine in Gaza City, occupied Palestine. She has worked with several health organizations in Gaza, contributing to healthcare delivery in complex and resource-constrained settings. Dr. Abukmail is a published researcher, with her recent work appearing in The Lancet. She has presented her research at numerous international conferences across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. She holds a postgraduate MPhil degree from the University of Cambridge and is currently a Research Fellow at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. She is also affiliated with the International Health Systems Research Group at the University of Cambridge. Her research interests include health systems, maternal healthcare, and non-communicable diseases, particularly cancer.