A Leading Voice in Global Health Systems:
A Dialogue with Dr. Taufique Joarder

Q. Could you briefly share your journey from holding a clinical degree in Bangladesh to becoming a global health systems expert? What inspired you to take this path?

Dr. Taufique Joarder: My journey into public health began during my third year of medical school in Bangladesh. Although I was training to become a clinician, I found myself more drawn to understanding people, communities, and the broader social forces that shape health.

A turning point came during a residential field training in a rural area. I asked an elderly man whether he used a sanitary latrine. He quietly took my hand, led me to his tiny home, and said, “This is all I have—do I build a latrine or sleep here?” That moment deeply impacted me. It showed me that health behaviors can’t be separated from socioeconomic realities. Similarly, a woman told me she couldn’t afford iodized salt because feeding her children came first. These stories helped me see health beyond biology—it’s about social determinants.

After finishing medical school, I decided not to pursue a traditional clinical path. Instead, I moved to Dhaka and pursued an MPH at BRAC James P. Grant School of Public Health. The program was transformative. It introduced me to new ways of thinking—critical inquiry, evidence-based reasoning, and understanding health through anthropological and systems lenses. Influential mentors like Dr. Shahaduz Zaman and the late Dr. Richard Cash expanded my worldview.

Though initially unsure about working in research, I embraced it as a meaningful way to engage with communities and influence systems. I eventually transitioned into faculty and research roles, and over the years, worked across disciplines—from anthropology to health policy to systems thinking—both in Bangladesh and globally.

Today, I see myself as a bridge between the field and policy, committed to addressing the root causes of health inequities. It’s been a purposeful journey that began with real stories from real people—and they continue to guide my path.

Q. You completed your PhD at Johns Hopkins University, one of the world’s leading public health institutions. In your view, what distinguishes its educational approach from institutions in the Global South?

Dr. Taufique Joarder: Johns Hopkins offered an incredibly rich learning environment—one that combined cutting-edge research, global faculty, and a diverse student body. What set it apart was the immediacy of knowledge: whatever was published in top journals last week often found its way into our classroom discussions the following week. Many of those innovations were led by Hopkins faculty themselves. That kind of proximity to the frontier of public health thinking was truly invaluable.

At the same time, I deeply appreciate the grounding I received from my time at BRAC University in Bangladesh. What BRAC—and some other institutions in the Global South—do particularly well is expose students to real-life public health challenges in a way that institutions in the Global North often struggle to replicate. While some Northern universities have tried to offer field immersion—like the George Washington University students who spent a semester in Bangladesh—such efforts are logistically complex and expensive.

At BRAC, we were embedded in communities. Our learning was not just theoretical; it was lived and observed. While BRAC has had to scale back some of its community-based programs due to funding constraints, its community orientation remains stronger than that of many institutions globally.

What concerns me, though, is that many other institutions in Bangladesh haven't embraced this opportunity. They still rely heavily on classroom-based teaching, missing the transformative value of community-engaged, experiential learning in public health education.

In short, I’ve been fortunate to benefit from both worlds. Johns Hopkins gave me global insight, technical rigor, appreciation of different cultures, and a vast network—many of my classmates now lead in WHO, World Bank, Harvard, Hopkins, and beyond. But the formative, close-to-community experiences from institutions like BRAC University shaped my public health instincts. I still cherish those the most.

Q. As a faculty member at a globally reputed public health institution, what would you consider your most significant professional achievement so far?

Dr. Taufique Joarder: That’s a thoughtful question—and not easy to answer briefly. But let me share a story that captures what made my time at Johns Hopkins truly transformative.

The Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) at Johns Hopkins is more than a traditional PhD. It combines rigorous research with practical experience through a communication and a practice portfolio—emphasizing the translation of evidence into real-world impact.

In my second year, after completing a policy analysis course with Professor Sara Bennett, I was invited to lead a policy analysis project in Bangladesh on health workforce career pathways. At the time (circa 2012–2013), policy analysis was still a new concept in public health practice in Bangladesh, making this a perfect fit for my DrPH practice requirement.

I took a semester off, returned to Bangladesh, and conducted extensive fieldwork. The key insight: medical professionals enter the system solely as clinicians, yet many eventually shift into roles in public health, management, or policy—with no formal preparation or pathways for these responsibilities.

1. Clinical Track for those in patient care
2. Public Health & Administrative Track for leadership and system roles
3. Medical Education & Research Track for academic careers

Though initially met with resistance—even from journal reviewers—I advocated for publication based on methodological rigor, and the paper was eventually accepted in International Journal of Health Policy and Management and well cited.

Years later, while serving on a national HRH committee, I was surprised to see my paper being circulated—unaware I was in the room. While the proposal wasn’t immediately adopted due to political and institutional barriers, the idea began shaping high-level discussions. Today, with the formation of a Health Systems Reform Commission and political shifts, its core principles are being reconsidered seriously.

That’s why I often say—my most meaningful achievement is perhaps still ahead of me. If Bangladesh adopts a structured, multi-track health workforce model, I would consider that a true lifetime contribution.

On a personal note, I also take deep pride in mentoring students. Their growth and achievements continually inspire me. That, too, is something I carry from my time at Hopkins—the importance of nurturing future public health leaders.

Q. From your experience in both academia and policy, what are the most common health system challenges worldwide?

Dr. Taufique Joarder: In my experience across both academia and policy, two of the most common and interconnected health system challenges worldwide are insufficient funding and a narrow, vertical approach to health programming.

Funding remains a chronic issue, especially for comprehensive system strengthening. What’s equally concerning is a lack of long-term vision and systems thinking. Many global health efforts still operate within siloed, disease-specific frameworks—like focusing only on malaria or TB—rather than investing in the broader health system infrastructure needed to support all services sustainably.

This vertical approach was common until the 1970s and 1980s, but since the 1990s, there has been growing recognition that without strong, integrated health systems, even the most well-funded disease programs won’t be sustainable. For instance, if a country builds HIV services but fails to strengthen its broader system, gains can be quickly reversed once donor funding ends or if another crisis hits.

Unfortunately, we’re now seeing a regression. Global funding priorities are shifting back toward narrowly defined programs, with less interest in system-wide investments. There's also a lack of appreciation for how interconnected our world is—health threats don’t respect borders, and determinants like climate, environment, and commerce affect all countries.

Ignoring system-wide investments and focusing too narrowly puts everyone at risk. A more holistic, systems-oriented mindset is urgently needed to ensure resilient, equitable, and sustainable health outcomes.

Q. You’ve specialized in human resources for health, a critical area. Why does Bangladesh continue to struggle with producing and retaining quality health professionals?

Dr. Taufique Joarder: So, there are two issues: quality and retention. Both are critical, and both are areas I’ve worked on extensively.

On the quality side, a major issue is the overemphasis on quantity. We've seen a rapid expansion of medical colleges—many of them in the private sector—without adequate oversight or a strong regulatory framework. This has inevitably compromised the quality of education.

Clinicians involved in teaching often prioritize their private practice over academic responsibilities. There's also a lack of research culture in medical schools. When I studied medicine in Bangladesh, we never engaged with journal articles or evidence-based practices. In contrast, medical students in Singapore regularly work with the latest published research, even at the undergraduate level. This kind of academic engagement is still missing in most Bangladeshi institutions.

Medical education in Bangladesh continues to rely heavily on rote memorization rather than critical thinking and evidence-based learning, and that has long-term implications for the competence of health professionals.

As for retention, the problem is equally complex. Career pathways for doctors, especially those outside urban centers, are limited and poorly structured. Most medical schools are based in urban areas, and the curriculum is geared toward producing urban, specialist clinicians. It doesn't prepare or encourage students to work in rural or underserved regions.

To truly retain talent in rural areas, we need structural changes. That includes establishing medical schools in rural settings, tailoring the curriculum to address rural health needs, and making it possible to pursue higher education without leaving rural practice entirely.

Right now, the system essentially forces doctors to relocate to cities for specialization or career progression—and many of them never return to rural service. Until we fix these foundational issues, both the quality of health professionals and their retention in key areas will remain a challenge.

Q. What are your current priorities in health systems work, and what are your future plans—and what drives them?

Dr. Taufique Joarder: Currently, my main focus is on implementation research and evaluation , particularly within Singapore’s health system. While I also work on health policy and systems research , I believe implementation research is especially valuable—it bridges the gap between evidence and real-world application. It's equally relevant for high-income countries like Singapore and low- and middle-income settings like Bangladesh.

A key area I’ve consistently worked on is human resources for health. I’m currently leading a workforce planning study where we’re integrating WHO’s WISN tool into electronic health records, using AI to forecast staffing needs. This allows managers to make proactive decisions, and it's a scalable model that could work well in Bangladesh too.

Beyond this, I’m also interested in governance and health financing. I served on Bangladesh’s Health Financing Strategy Committee and contributed to UHC discussions.

Looking ahead, I hope to continue bridging insights between contexts like Singapore and Bangladesh. What drives me is the desire to make health systems more equitable, efficient, and responsive—especially in settings where smart, locally adapted solutions can have the greatest impact.

Q. What three essential skills would you recommend for the next generation of global health leaders?

Dr. Taufique Joarder: I believe the next generation of global health leaders should cultivate four essential skills: inquisitiveness, humility, a commitment to lifelong learning, and critical thinking.

First, inquisitiveness — a deep curiosity and a genuine desire to understand the world around you — is foundational. Global health challenges are complex, and without a research-oriented mindset, it’s difficult to navigate them effectively. Leaders need to keep asking questions, exploring new ideas, and engaging deeply with the communities and systems they serve.

Second, humility. This is something I’ve come to value deeply, especially after working in both Bangladesh and Singapore. In Bangladesh, I often encountered rigid professional hierarchies — where clinicians, for example, might dismiss insights from professionals with different backgrounds. But in Singapore, particularly at Duke-NUS Medical School, I was pleasantly surprised by the openness of clinicians. Busy clinicians were eager to listen, learn, and collaborate on projects outside their core expertise — such as cancer and hypertension screening, which are typically led by public health professionals.

Third, openness to lifelong learning is critical. No one knows everything. True leadership means being willing to learn from anyone — regardless of their title, background, or degree. To stay relevant in today’s world, we must constantly evolve. I still revisit statistical methods I learned during my MPH, experiment with AI tools, and refresh my skills through different learning platforms.

Fourth, critical thinking. Global health professionals must not passively accept what they are told. They need to ask hard questions, challenge assumptions, and apply a critical lens to policies, data, and practices. This critical perspective helps leaders make better decisions, design more effective interventions, and remain adaptable in rapidly changing environments. That’s the mindset I believe we need — always curious, always learning, and always thinking critically.

Q. Who is your public health role model, and why?

Dr. Taufique Joarder: If I need to say one name, I would say Dr. Shahaduz Zaman has been a pivotal figure in my journey. He is currently a Professor of Medical Anthropology and Global Health at the University of Sussex. With a background as a physician, anthropologist, global health expert and famous writer, he has brought a unique interdisciplinary perspective that has deeply influenced me. He was — and continues to be — my entry point into the broader world of global health. He opened doors to new opportunities and ways of thinking, which is why I admire him so much. Even now, I’m collaborating with him on a project focused on elderly care in Singapore. His mentorship and continued partnership have been truly invaluable for my career. But I will do injustice if I also do not mention Richard Cash, Tim Evans, David Peters, and Ron Labonte.

Q. What is your most cherished memory from your time at the James P. Grant School of Public Health—whether as a student or faculty member?

Dr. Taufique Joarder: One of my most memorable and inspiring experiences was during our field visit to Kakabo village, Dhaka, Bangladesh as part of our MPH program. Each student was provided with a bicycle for the trip. While I already knew how to ride one, many of my classmates didn’t. But that didn’t stop them.

Dr. Shahaduz Zaman, who was the MPH coordinator at the time, told us, “If you want to be a public health professional, you must know how to manage and immerse yourself in the field.” That message really stayed with me.

What inspired me the most was one of our senior peers — a mid-career professional who wore a hijab and traditional Islamic attire. Despite never having ridden a bicycle before, she learned and rode alongside us, navigating rural roads to complete our fieldwork. Watching her break through personal and cultural barriers so determinedly was incredibly moving.

It was a powerful reminder that limitations can be overcome — with courage, support, and the right mindset. That experience shaped how I view resilience, adaptability, and leadership in public health.

Q. What is your favorite food and does Singapore offer you?

Dr. Taufique Joarder: I absolutely love the biryani of Bangladesh, and I miss it dearly. The aroma, the perfectly spiced rice, the tender meat—it’s a symphony of flavors that’s hard to find elsewhere. In Singapore, there is biryani too, but it’s quite a different version. While it’s popular and well-liked here, I find it relatively bland compared to the rich, flavorful biryani of Dhaka.

Besides, I also miss the Tehari from Sobhanbag’s Tehari Ghar from Dhaka that I used to enjoy a few years ago.

Q. Do you see yourself returning to Bangladesh in the coming years, considering your current secure career and comfortable life abroad (Singapore)?

Dr. Taufique Joarder: I definitely see myself returning to Bangladesh — that has always been my passion and my long-term aspiration. My initial decision to leave was primarily driven by the political volatility in the country, during which I didn’t feel entirely safe. My outspoken criticism of government policies and decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic put me on a collision course with the then undemocratic regime. Otherwise, I might not have left at all.

At the moment, me and my family are based here in Singapore, and my son is pursuing his studies. But if a suitable opportunity arises — one that aligns with both my professional goals and the well-being of my family — I would absolutely welcome the chance to return and contribute to Bangladesh. The desire to give back to my country remains at the core of my work and values.