Ahmed Huwaider

I am a registered nurse from Aden, Yemen, with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. My most transformative experience was serving three years as a Health Field Officer with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), where I managed health projects in some of the most challenging contexts.

Leading the establishment of an intensive neonatal care unit in Al Dhale remains one of my proudest achievements. Following its launch, we observed a marked reduction in neonatal mortality rates in the area. This experience proved that well-structured interventions can have a profound impact, even in fragile settings. It reinforced my commitment to bridging the gap between clinical practice and strategic public health leadership.

Access to care for mothers and babies in Yemen

For more than a decade, I have witnessed the devastating impact of a fragile healthcare system on those who are most vulnerable – especially mothers and newborns. By participating in the Masters program, I aim to acquire advanced expertise in health systems and policy to design and implement effective, sustainable interventions that can save lives in my home country, Yemen.

The change I seek is a world where every mother and child—regardless of being born in a conflict zone—has access to quality, life-saving healthcare. Yemen has one of the highest neonatal mortality rates globally, and I have seen the human toll of this reality both professionally and personally.

A deep personal loss solidified my commitment to this cause. While working as a Health Field Officer with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), my brother’s wife gave birth prematurely. The neonatal unit I was helping establish was not yet operational, forcing us into a desperate 100-kilometer journey to the nearest facility. Tragically, my nephew did not survive the night. This heartbreak is shared by countless families across Yemen, and it drives my determination to ensure such critical care is accessible.

Learning how to implement evidence-based strategies

This master’s program is the vital next step. It will equip me with the analytical tools and policy expertise to transition from managing individual projects to influencing national health policies. I will gain the ability to critically assess health systems, design equitable policies, and evaluate complex programs—skills which are essential for rebuilding Yemen’s health infrastructure and addressing systemic failures at scale.

My personal goal is to fully immerse myself in the KIT learning community: to draw on the expertise of faculty members, learn from my diverse peers, and strengthen a global network of public health advocates. I aim to refine a concrete, evidence-based strategy for maternal and child health programming—one that I can begin implementing immediately upon returning to Yemen.