Dr. Syed Umar Khyyam

Dr. Syed Umar Khyyam is a medical graduate from Sylhet Medical College, having a post graduate degree in Public Health and a master’s in public Affairs (MPA) from Dhaka University. He started his career as a Medical Officer in November 1980. He has a long track record of working in Government, NGO and WHO positions in the health and other public and private sectors. He worked as a medical officer and health manager at sub-district level. He worked as deputy civil Surgeon and civil surgeon of the district which is the top leadership position of the district for all health sector activities.

He had been promoted to deputy secretary and worked in this position in different ministries like Ministry of defenses, MO health and family welfare, MO forest etc. After promotion as Joint Secretary of the GOB he worked in the MO Health and Family Welfare, MO Women and Child affairs, MO forest and MO Industry. He has extensive project implementation experiences in health and non-heath sectors with GOV, USAID, UKAID and GIZ funding. He has the experience of implementing six GOB and NGO national and international projects as Project Director and worked in different project positions during his long career.

Dr. Khyyam is a WHO certified Malariologist. He is trained on Quality Improvement in Reproductive Health and Family planning services and Results Based Management – Using a Logical Framework in WHO Program Management.

He Joined in the Inter-country Consultation on Development of Regional Strategy for Prevention of Injuries in Southeast Asia Region, Regional Expert Meeting on using Space Technology for Avian Influenza Monitoring and Early Warning in Asia, GFATM Round-9 meeting and Workshop on Using Space Technology for Tele-Health to Benefit Asia and the Pacific.

He presided 19th meeting of the Governing Board of SAARC Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Center as Bangladesh Representative. Represented Bangladesh in the 126th Session of the Executive Board Meeting of WHO in Delhi and joined SEARO Technical briefing on 63rd World Health Assembly in Geneva. He Joined and coordinated Bangladesh team participated in 63rd World Health Assembly.

He retired from government service as Additional Secretary on 29-12-2013 and continued his service in NGO sector until June 2025. He has been elected as President, Public Health Association Bangladesh, 2026-2027 session.