Student Stories

Mabel Low Mui Cheng

Mabel Low with Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General and the team at WHO
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General (first row, eight from left), Ms Mabel Low (first row, seventh from left) with the interns and team at WHO

With a growing interest and passion in global health, I was given the opportunity to have an internship at the World Health Organization (WHO) HQ Geneva from May to July 2017. It was a humbling experience for me to be able to witness what it was like working in an international organisation and what “global health” really means.

During my stint, I was tasked to review the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) indicators for high income countries by analysing data sets and identifying gaps in the current indicators. I learnt that every country has a unique set of problems and it was not straightforward, but of much complexity, to propose the best set of indicators that would benefit all countries.

It was invigorating to be given the chance to play a role in global health, to improve the well-being of countries, and to know that my project will have an impact on my own country.

All in all, I am grateful to be at WHO this summer with all the invaluable lessons and experiences garnered. I strongly encourage my fellow public health students to seize any of such opportunities as these first-hand experiences are best gained out of classrooms.

Mabel Low with Dr Margaret Chan, former WHO Director General
Dr Margaret Chan, former WHO Director-General and an alumna of SSHSPH (third from left) and Ms Mabel Low (second from left)
Gan Kim Yong with Mabel Low and fellow Singaporeans at the World Health Assembly 2017
Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Health, Singapore (middle) and Ms Mabel Low (second from left) with fellow Singaporeans at the World Health Assembly 2017
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