User:Meli0503/Najla Al-Sonboli

= Najla Al-Sonboli =

Background Information
Najla Al-Sonboli is the Head of Pediatrics and a leading researcher at Al-Sabeen Hospital in Sana'a, Yemen. She is a Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine alumna. Al-Sonboli has had to work under adverse conditions as a result of the ongoing Yemeni war.

Education
Najla Al-Sonboli is an LSTM alumna. In 1999, she graduated with a Masters in Tropical Pediatrics. In the year 2000, she completed her Diploma in Tropical Child Health. Upon receiving her diploma, she went on to pursue her PhD in pediatric health in Yemen. Al-Sonboli graduated with her PhD in 2006.

Work and Life
Najla Al-Sonboli is the Head of the Pediatrics Department at Al-Sabeen Hospital for Children and Women, as well as an Associate Professor in Pediatrics at Sana’a University in Yemen. She has an interest in researching and treating nutritional, diarrheal, and respiratory diseases in children. Dr. Al-Sonboli has expressed great admiration for children; her devotion to them has inspired her to continue to work amidst war, poverty, and famine. As a result of the ongoing war, she has had to work for two years without a salary, along with the rest of the staff. Al-Sonboli has also had to work under fire. Her hospital has also faced a shortage in medical supplies, medication, and staff. Due to the Yemeni war and its resulting conditions, many of her patients’ cases pertain to war injuries, starvation, and diseases. Children have been especially susceptible to Cholera and Diphtheria. Al-Sabeen Hospital is the only location in Yemen with a working Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). It is also the biggest referral pediatric hospital in the country. Since the hospital is located in the country’s largest city, there is a large influx of patients.

Awards and Publications
Dr. Najla Al-Sonboli was recognized as a Heroine for Health by Women in Global Health in association with GE Healthcare in 2018. The Heroine of Health award is presented to nine women who have shown leadership within their communities. Al-Sonboli was unable to leave Yemen and attend the assembly; however, the award was accepted on her behalf. She has partnered with LSTM to conduct various studies and research. Al-Sonboli has been active in research studies of respiratory tract infections and diarrheal diseases in children for 15 years and has published in several peer-reviewed journals in pediatrics.