Dr Abdulkarim Ekzayez is an Assistant Professor at the School of Health Sciences at HBMSU and a senior research fellow at King’s College London. He is a physician, epidemiologist and public health specialist with experience in health systems strengthening, health governance, health security and health policy. His work has included primary healthcare, disease surveillance, vaccination programmes, health information systems, emergency preparedness and health service planning. He has led and contributed to multidisciplinary research and health programmes involving academic institutions, public health organisations and international partners. He published more than 45 articles in peer reviewed journals and contributed to four chapter books. His research increasingly focuses on how stronger governance, better use of health data and digital technologies can improve health system performance and public health decision-making. His developing academic interests also include the responsible use of artificial intelligence and digital tools in health systems, health information management and health professional education