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Sajjad Fazel

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Dr.
Sajjad Fazel
Sajjad Fazel at the University of Calgary
Born14 May 1991
NationalityCanadian
EducationDoctor of Pharmacy, Master of Public Health
Alma materManipal Academy of Higher Education, University of Western Ontario
OccupationPublic health researcher
Websitesajjadfazel.ca

Sajjad Sherally Fazel (born May 14, 1991) is a Canadian clinical pharmacist, public health researcher, and the founder of Afya Yako, Tanzania's first online health promotion initiative.[1][2][3] Afya Yako impacted thousands of Tanzanians and inspired an online health movement in Tanzania.[4][5]

Early life and education

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Sajjad was born and raised in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He graduated from Haven of Peace Academy in 2009. He received a Doctor of Pharmacy from Manipal Academy of Higher Education in early 2015. During his time at Manipal, he was the lead for VSO - Manipal, a university voluntary organization.[6] In 2018, he received a Master of Public Health from the University of Western Ontario. Sajjad received an Institute Community Support Travel Award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research for presenting a poster on Afya Yako at the Canadian Public Health Association Conference in 2018.[7] He is also a member of the World Economic Forum's Global Shapers community.[8] He currently resides in Calgary.[2]

Career

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Research

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In May 2018, Sajjad joined the Canadian Cancer Society as a policy researcher working on the smoke-free campuses initiative.[1][2] This initiative advocated for post-secondary institutions to adopt a 100% smoke-free campus and produced a report of smoke-free campuses in Canada, as a result, several university and colleges adopted the policy and the initiative received wide media attention.[9][10][11][12][13]

In January 2019, Sajjad joined Alberta Health Services and the University of Calgary as a public health researcher studying the safe handling of antineoplastic drugs.[1] He is currently researching and addressing the spread of COVID-19 misinformation for which he has appeared on several news outlets.[14][15][16][17] Sajjad has published numerous articles in academic journals and popular media on topics related to cancer prevention, tobacco control, and COVID-19 misinformation.[18][19][20]

Columnist

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Sajjad began his career in journalism in early 2014, by writing for a local magazine called, What's happening in Dar. In early 2015, he caught the eye of Nipashe editor, who hired Sajjad as a health columnist for the Swahili language Tanzanian newspaper. Sajjad remained with Nipashe for 6 months, covering local health issues.[21][22]

In July 2015, Sajjad left Nipashe and was immediately recruited by The Citizen editor as a health columnist for a new health page published every Monday. At The Citizen, Sajjad discussed about various health topics and advocated for change in the health sector by raising various concerns that provoked thought and action.[23][24][25][26][27]

In July 2016, Sajjad advocated against the widespread use of Hookah in Tanzania through various articles[28][29][30] and radio talks[31] that led the President of Tanzania, John Magufuli to ban the use of Hookah nationwide.[32]

Sajjad continued his advocacy by bringing to light the Aflatoxin epidemic in Tanzania and proposing a solution for it.[33] Questions were raised towards the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare by the public[34] and funding for the proposed solution began which completed on December 19, 2017.[35]

Throughout 2016, Sajjad continued to advocate about the rise of Non-communicable diseases in Tanzania, discussing various topics including healthy eating and the importance of exercise.[36][37] This caused the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to institute a national day of exercise in December 2016.[38]

Social media

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In June 2016, Sajjad founded Afya Yako Online, a Swahili-based health education and awareness health initiative that educated and empowered thousands of Tanzanians on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.[39] This initiative was sponsored by Kwanza TV.[3] In 2017, the Afya Yako Online initiative had received great acclaim from notable persons, politicians and media alike.[40][41]

Other media appearances

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Sajjad has appeared in numerous Television and Radio shows as himself advocating for healthy policies and educating the public.[42] He also appeared on BBC Swahili Radio in October 2016.[43] Sajjad continues to provide commentary on various health issues for Tanzanian Newspapers.[44][45][46] He has also appeared several times as a guest speaker on Canadian television and radio shows.[47][48][49][50][14]

Selected works and publications

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Scholia has an author profile for Sajjad Fazel.

Selected articles

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  • Fazel, Sajjad (6 January 2021). "We must address anti-science sentiments before it is too late". Toronto Star.
  • Fazel, Sajjad (11 October 2020). "Interacting safely during a pandemic: Tips from a public health researcher". Toronto Star.
  • Fazel, Sajjad (16 July 2020). "Flying safely during COVID-19: Tips from a public health researcher". National Post.
  • Fazel, Sajjad (17 July 2017). "Maternal healthcare given the top priority". The Citizen.

Selected journals

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Researcher Profile: Dr Sajjad Fazel". University of Calgary. 10 January 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Dr Sajjad Fazel, Research Director, Knight's Cabin". Knight's Cabin. 4 August 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Dr Sajjad Fazel: 'Social media can be used for public good, not just celebrity gossip'". 4 September 2017.
  4. ^ "MUHAS students now join Tanzania's growing health information crusade". 11 February 2018.
  5. ^ Dhanji-Mistry, Sabira (8 May 2019). "How a Twitter post changed thousands of lives".
  6. ^ "VSO spreads smiles through Daan Utsav". October 11, 2014.
  7. ^ "Celebrating your recent achievements". May 2018.
  8. ^ "Calgary Hub". Global Shapers.
  9. ^ "Colleges, universities moving fast to make campuses smoke-free". 13 September 2018.
  10. ^ Ubelacker, Sheryl (13 September 2018). "More Canadian university and college campuses going smoke-free: Report". National Post.
  11. ^ "More Canadian university and college campuses going smoke-free: Report". 13 September 2018.
  12. ^ "More Canadian university and college campuses going smoke-free: Report". Toronto Star. 13 September 2018.
  13. ^ "Growing number of Canadian university and college campuses now smoke-free, report says".
  14. ^ a b "Your questions about COVID-19 misinformation | CBC.ca".
  15. ^ "Amka Na BBC". 4 September 2023.
  16. ^ [1][dead link‍]
  17. ^ [2][dead link‍]
  18. ^ Quinn, Emma K.; Fazel, Sajjad S.; Peters, Cheryl E. (1 August 2021). "The Instagram Infodemic: Cobranding of Conspiracy Theories, Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Authority-Questioning Beliefs". Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking. 24 (8): 573–577. doi:10.1089/cyber.2020.0663. PMID 33395548. S2CID 230661220.
  19. ^ Dilliott, Daniel; Fazel, Sajjad; Ehsan, Nazia; Sibbald, Shannon L. (7 August 2020). "The attitudes and behaviors of students, staff and faculty towards smoke-free and tobacco-free campus policies in North American universities: A narrative review". Tobacco Prevention & Cessation. 6: 47. doi:10.18332/tpc/125080. PMC 7493649. PMID 32954060.
  20. ^ "Opinion | We must address anti-science sentiments before it is too late". Toronto Star. 6 January 2021.
  21. ^ "Mbegu maboga zinavyofunika supu ya pweza". ippmedia.com. 30 April 2017.
  22. ^ "800 wapimwa, kutibiwa bure". ippmedia.com. 29 November 2016.
  23. ^ "THE PHARMACIST : Four steps to preventing malaria". 10 July 2017.
  24. ^ "Maternal healthcare given the top priority". 21 July 2017.
  25. ^ "THE PHARMACIST: Effects of birth control pills". 7 August 2017.
  26. ^ "PHARMACIST : 9 benefits of stopping smoking". 24 April 2017.
  27. ^ "PHARMACIST : Be careful about your fairness cream". 13 March 2017.
  28. ^ "Shisha smoking session equals to consuming 100 cigarettes". 20 July 2016.
  29. ^ "Madhara ya Shisha".
  30. ^ "Madhara ya Shisha". 4 July 2016.
  31. ^ "Choice FM Freedom on Twitter".
  32. ^ "Tanzania bans shisha pipe smoking". BBC News. 5 July 2016.
  33. ^ "Aflatoxins : The invisible poison". 1 August 2016.
  34. ^ "New questions on food poison". 2 August 2016.
  35. ^ "Tanzania eyes new tech to fight aflatoxins". 13 April 2021.
  36. ^ "PHARMACIST: Cut cost by physical fitness in 2017". 4 January 2017.
  37. ^ "PHARMACIST : Be healthy, eat what you want". 10 October 2016.
  38. ^ "Tanzania calls for national day of exercise to help combat obesity - Jamii Radio". 18 December 2016.
  39. ^ "Western News - Alumnus targets public health via social media". 16 September 2019.
  40. ^ "Afya yako i kiganjani mwako - DW - 24.02.2017". Deutsche Welle.
  41. ^ A. D. C. (April 17, 2019). "Tanzanian Pharmacist Inspired A Wave Of Online Health Promotion Programs".
  42. ^ TZA, Reporters (17 August 2017). "Mtu anavyoweza kupata ugonjwa wa Ini kupitia Salon – Millardayo.com". millardayo.com.
  43. ^ "Teknolojia kuboresha huduma ya afya". 24 October 2016 – via www.bbc.com.
  44. ^ "Study on mass distribution of antibiotics worrying: medics". 20 May 2018.
  45. ^ "Why diabetes still ruins people's lives". 13 November 2017.
  46. ^ "Uproar greets new study on antibiotics". 2 August 2017.
  47. ^ "Canadian doctor: "COVID-19 is an invisible enemy" - Charles Adler Tonight - Omny.fm".
  48. ^ "Coronavirus and the spread of misinformation - Ryan Jespersen Show - Omny.fm". omny.fm. Archived from the original on 2020-03-15.
  49. ^ [3] [dead link‍]
  50. ^ "Public Health researcher challenges questionable COVID-19 claims | CBC.ca".
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