Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Faculty Member

Shafi U. Bhuiyan MBBS, MPH, MBA, PhD

Education & Training History

• PhD [Major International Cooperation in Health], Global Human Sciences, Osaka University,  Japan
• MBA [Major in Global Health Management], Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University, Canada
• MPH [Major in Urban Health & PHC], Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
• MBBS [Medical Doctor], Sir Salimullah Medical College, Faculty of Medicine, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Professional Summary & Appointments

Dr. Shafi Bhuiyan MBBS, MPH, MBA, PhD is an award-winning faculty member and an internationally recognized–academic/professional leader in global health training, research and education initiatives, with diverse experience in both developed and developing countries. After finishing medical college at SSMC Dhaka, he worked as the founding liaison officer of maternal and child health research and training institute in Bangladesh where Dr. Bhuiyan focused on capacity building training of health professionals. Following completion of PhD in human sciences- he worked as JSPS Post-doctoral scientist and faculty at Osaka University, Japan; ASEAN Institute of Health Development- AIHD, Mahidol University Thailand; University of Health Sciences Bangladesh. In 2010 Dr. Bhuiyan emigrated to Canada where he began a new career focused on how equity informed approaches can improve both health services and health care training. Over the next several years Dr. Bhuiyan moved through successively more senior positions so that today he is a faculty member at both Toronto Metropolitan University in the Department of community services and at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at U of T.

Throughout his career focus has been on improving the way we deploy and refine global health resources – whether guidelines or training programs – to improve health system performance and the equity of health system performance in local and global contexts. Dr. Bhuiyan a co-creator of Pilot Masters of Sciences – MScCH program for internationally educated health professionals at DLSPH, U of T and he is a co-founder, academic director and program manager of the innovative Internationally Trained Medical Doctors (ITMD) Bridging Program at Ryerson University, which provides ITMDs with training to transition into non-licensed health care research & management positions. Dr. Bhuiyan outgoing Chair, Board of Directors, Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research and also Chair, Board of Directors, Birchmount Bluffs Neighborhood Centre [BBNC] Scarborough South West, Toronto ON. He also served Lions clubs international District A711 GTA, ON as District Chair- Diabetes Awareness, International Youth Exchange and University Campus Lions. He is an RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants award finalist, and a winner of the Council of Agencies Serving South Asians award for civic engagement and leadership in Canada.

Specialties:  Global Health Management, MNCH-RH/FP, International Health Development/ Global Health Education and Research, Partnership Development, International Cooperation, Higher Educational Program Development, Program Operations and Management etc., Clinical Public Health Development, Urban Health, Health Promotion and Health System Strengthening and Policy improvement through evidence-based practice. MCH Handbook Development and Utilization in the world to ensure no one left behind.

Key Career Focus

Throughout his career, Dr. Bhuiyan’s focus has been on improving the deployment and refinement of global health resources to improve health system performance and its equity in local and global contexts. Dr. Bhuiyan a co-creator of the pilot Masters of Sciences (MScCH) –community health program for internationally educated health professionals at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto and he is a co-founder, academic director and program manager of the innovative Internationally Trained Medical Doctors (ITMDs) Post Graduate Bridging Program at Ryerson University, which provides ITMDs with training to transition into non-licensed health care research and management positions.

Professional Awards

• Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Fellowship, International Cooperation Division, Osaka University, Japan
• UNFPA Fellowship/MPH Study Award, Strengthening of MCH Program in Bangladesh
• Monbushu Ph.D Study Award, Government of Japan, Ministry of Education, Science and  Technology, Japan

Leadership and Social Services

• Distinguished Leadership Award for Community Services; Lions Clubs International President’s Award 2020
• Leadership Champion Award: Council of Agencies Serving South Asians, ON, Canada
• New Immigrant Master of Success Award: North Star Success, Canada
• Melvin Jones Fellowship- Lions Clubs International [LCI], USA
• Harry A. Newman Diabetes Award, Diabetes Canada
• The Helen Keller Fellowship

Primary Teaching Responsibilities

• International Health Development CHL7001H S6
• Open Lecture on multi-disciplinary multi-cultural Global Health issues
• Global Health field research mentorship to graduate students
• Global Health young researcher/students field research methodology
• Graduate Students’ thesis, field study and publications support

Research Interest & Projects

• Empowerment of women and their families seeking maternal, neonatal and child health services through a maternal and child health handbook for use in rural communities in Bangladesh
• Diabetes prevention and AI related concurrent issues
• COVID 19- multi countries experiences
• A Pilot Development of MCH Handbook in Bangladesh
• The Utilization of MCH Handbook in Community Clinics (rural) and Hospitals (urban)
• MCH Handbook: Impact Evaluation
• HIV Prevention Collaborative Project
• Maternal and Child Health Handbook (MCH) in the World
• Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health Care Development
• Global Health Collaborative Research
• Capacity Building of Global Public Health Researcher
• Health Promotion Program Impact Evaluation

Other Affiliations

• Inaugural Board of Director, Canadian Association for Global Health [CAGH]
• Chair, Board of Directors, Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research (CCGHR), 2018-2021
• Co-founder and Academic Director/Program Lead ITMDs Post-Graduate Bridging Program, the Chang School of Continuing Education, Ryerson University, Canada
• Distinguished Visiting Professor, Faculty of Community Services and The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, Ryerson University
• Adjunct Professor, School of Public Health and Safety, Faculty of Community Services, Ryerson University, Canada
• Global Health Education and Research Fellow, The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada
• DLSPH Council & Executive Committee Member, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, U of T, Canada 2014-2016
• DLSPH Council Education Committee Member, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, U of T, Canada 2017-2018
• Consultant, Death 101MOOC, Center for Global Health Research (CGHR), St. Michael’s Hospital
• CCGHR_UAC Member & University Liaison, Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research
• Co-Chair and Treasurer, CCGHR Capacity Development Program Area (CDPA) Canada, 2014-2018
• Ryerson University Partnership Liaison, CAN-MNCH/ CanWACH
• Member, Canadian Society for International Health (CSIH)
• Member, Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA)
• Technical Expert & Faculty Member, ASEAN Institute for Health Development (AIHD), Mahidol University, Thailand ’05-’07
• Post-Doctoral Scientist, Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences (JSPS), Osaka University, Japan ’07-’09
• Visiting Lecturer, International Collaboration Division, Global Human Sciences, Osaka University, Japan ’09-’10
• Founding Board Member, International Committee on MCH Handbook, Osaka University, Japan
• MO (MCH-FP), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dhaka, Bangladesh (’95-’98)
• Project Liaison Officer, Improvement of MCHTI Japanese Grant Aid Project, MOH&FW, Bangladesh ’98
• UNFPA Consultant, Urban Primary Health Care Project (UPHCP) Bangladesh ’00
• Asst. Training Coordinator, Maternal and Child Health Training Institute, DGFP, Bangladesh ’07
• Life Member, Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA)
• Member, The International Society for Urban Health
• Reviewer, International AIDS Society (IAS)
• Scientific Reviewer, CUGH, USA
• Youth Exchange and Diabetes Awerness Program Chair: Lions Club International A711 (2019- 2021)
• Charter President, Toronto Global Doctors Lions Club, Region Chair and Zone Chair, Lions Clubs International District A 711, Canada [2018-2021]
• Chair, Board of Directors of the Birchmount Bluffs Neighbourhood Centre (BBNC), Scarborough South-West, Toronto, ON [2019-2021]

Representative Publications

a) Most significant publications

Bhuiyan, S. Development of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) handbook digital application to promote MCH services: No one left behind to address SDGs. The University of Toronto Medical Journal 2020; 97(2). Principal Author.

Shafi Bhuiyan. [Technical Brief]: Piloting MCH Handbook for increasing women’s knowledge on maternal and child health in Bangladesh. JICA Technical Brief, JICA. 2017 September. Principal Author

Shafi Bhuiyan. [A Handbook]: The Global Impact of the Maternal and Child Health. UN Special Magazine, WHO. 2015 May; Volume 749:14-15. Principal Author.

Shafi Bhuiyan. Impact of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Handbook in the Healthcare System. Thai Journal of Public Health [Editorial] Vol. 51 No. 2 (Aug 2021)

Shafi Bhuiyan et al.  Maternal and child health handbook: Utilization and lessons learned from selected evidence-based studies. J Pub Health Dev. 2017: 15(2): 87-100

b) Selected academic papers published in peer reviewed journals

 1. Wignarajah, S., Bhuiyan, S. U. and Gugathasan, A. (2022). The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Handbook and its Influence on Health Behaviors: A Literature Review. European Journal of Environment and Public Health, 6(1), em0092. https://doi.org/10.21601/ejeph/11357 Co-author

2. Walaa Al-Chetachi, Agafya Krivova, Hana’a Badran, Saida Azam, Eman Radwan, Yasmine Shalaby, Mithila Orin, Edith Quintanilla and Shafi Bhuiyan. Women’s empowerment under the lens of global health equity: Literature review of challenges, best practices, and societal impact. Journal of International Health Trends and Perspective [IHTP], 2(1), 88-117, 2022 Co-author

3. Choi B, Pakes B, Bilotta R, Graham K, Gupta N, King AS, Dimaras H, Wei X, Gibson B, Reynolds DL, Morris SK, Selby P, Harvey BJ, Fox AL,Rachlis B, Bhuiyan S, Nnorom O, Upshur R. Defining Clinical Public Health. Clin Invest Med. 2021 Jun 14;44(2):E71-76. doi: 10.25011/cim.v44i2.36479.PMID: 34152710

4. Shafi U Bhuiyan., et al. The Role of Digital Health Applications in Improving Maternal Health: A Study of Various Applications in High-Income Countries and Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) – A Systematic Review. EC Emergency Medicine and Critical Care 5.12 (2021). Senior Author

5. Shafi Bhuiyan. Impact of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Handbook in the Healthcare System. Thai Journal of Public Health [Editorial] Vol. 51 No. 2 (Aug 2021)

6. Shafi U Bhuiyan., et al. Prevalence of Maternal Depression and Anxiety during COVID-19 Pandemic. EC Emergency Medicine and Critical Care 5.11 (2021): 22-32

7. Shafi U Bhuiyan., et al. A Review of Progress and Challenges of Antenatal Psychosocial Assessment for Decreasing Perinatal Mental Health Morbidity. EC Emergency Medicine and Critical Care 5.11 (2021): 07-16.

8. Shafi U Bhuiyan., et al. Assessment of Community-Based Approaches to Providing Ongoing Maternal and Child Health Care in Low Resource Countries during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review. EC Emergency Medicine and Critical Care 5.11 (2021): 07-11.

9. Shafi Bhuhiyan, Housne Begum, Khalid Niaz, Eiman Ali, Ishraq Tashkandi, Elahe Ranjbar, Mariano Rubharajan and Hana’a Badran. A Narrative Review of Selected Literature on the Management of Thromboembolism in Patients with COVID-19. EC Emergency Medicine and Critical Care 5.3 (2021): 17-26

10. Shafi Bhuiyan, Lily Yang, Urvi Rai, Yasmine Shalaby, Connor Kucharic, and Muhammed Awlad Hussain. Investigating the Face Mask Policies among the High Income – G7 Member Countries. EC Emergency Medicine and Critical Care 5.6 (2021).

11. Shafi Bhuiyan, Alexander Olayinka Dare, Monsura Haque, Mustapha Abdulhameed, Najam Ul Saher Faisal, Nibras Sufeian Aldoori, Mohammad Hahsim Zamani and Housne Begum. “Vaccine Hesitancy and Barriers to Vaccine Utilization in the Current COVID 19 Pandemic – Canadian Experience: A Narrative Review”. EC Emergency Medicine and Critical Care 5.5 (2021): 61-68.

12. Bhuiyan SU, Badran HM, Bhuiyan NT, Kandil SM (2020) The Impact of COVID‐19 Pandemic on Diabetic Children: A Systematic Review on the Current Evidence. Int jou commu med Health Edu: IJCMHE-105, DOI: 10.46715/ijcmhe2020.12.1000105

13. AKM Alamgir, S. Usmani, Shafi Bhuiyan and Axelle Janczur. Structuring a Communication Framework to Address the Challenges of Vulnerable Communities for Building Trust and Ensuring Access to Emergency Health Messages for Compliance during COVID-19. EC Emergency Medicine and Critical Care 5.2 (2021): 07-16.

14. Bhuiyan SU, Begum H, Azam SF, OrinM, Olang O, et al. (2020) Association between Morality in Covid-19 Patients and Underlying Co Morbidities in Patients above 40 Years of Age: A Rapid Review. Int jou commu med Health Edu: IJCMHE-106, DOI: 10.46715/ijcmhe2020.12.1000106

15. AKM Alamgir, Axelle Janczu, Shafi Bhuiyan, Ted Richmond, and Amal Rezk. Labour Market Barriers and Solutions for Internationally Educated Researchers (IERs) in Canada: Social and Health Implications.  EC Emergency Medicine and Critical Care 4.9 [2020] : 129-144 [Senior Author]

16. Shafi Bhuiyan, et al.,A Systematic Scoping Review of Cancer Patients’ Treatment during the     COVID‐19 Pandemic. EC Emergency Medicine and Critical Care.  EC Emergency Medicine and Critical Care 5.3 (2021): 17-26  [Senior Author]

17. Bhuiyan, S., Begum, H., Panchoo, K., Khalid, N., Vijeyanathan, A., & Effiom, V. Sleep Duration Related to its Effect on Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose and BMI- A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Community Medicine & Public Health.  2020; 4(01), 174. doi.org/10.29011/2577-2228.100074. Principal Author. 

18. Haque R, Bhuiyan SU, Rudra R. A Review of Maternal and Child Health Status in Canada and Japan – Reinvigorating Maternal and Child Health Handbook. J Community Prev Med 2019; 2(1):1-9.

19. Shafi Bhuiyan, et al., A Systematic Scoping Review of Cancer Patients’ Treatment during the COVID‐19 Pandemic. EC Emergency Medicine and Critical Care 4.12 (2020): 34-44                                                           

20. Ahmed S, Majumder S, Monia ZN, Bhuiyan SU. Assessment of Postnatal Mothers’ Knowledge of Newborn Care Practices: A Cross-sectional Study. J Community Prev Med 2019; 2(1):1-6.  Senior Author.

21. Ahmed, S., Khan, N., Pulok, M., Majumder, and M., Bhuiyan, S. “Effects of Maltreatment during Childhood in Developing Mental Illness in Canadian Population.” The 3rd Mental Health for All (MH4A) Conference, October 22-23, 2018, Canada. Senior Author.

22. Bhuiyan, S., Begum, H., Tofighi, H., Pathan, S., Hassan, M., and Abdelmalek, M. “Sort, Assess, Life-Saving Interventions, Treat and Transport (SALT) Methodology and its Effect on Patient Outcome During Mass Casualty Incidents: A Systematic Review.” Global Scientific Research Journal of Public Health.2018; Vol 1 (1):1-9. Senior Author.

23. Bhuiyan SU, Begum HA, Thiyagaratnam D, Al-Araji A, Saad W, Dehal N, Micheal M, Naeem F, Anwar M and Choudhury R. Community clinics and primary healthcare facilities utilization by reproductive age women in rural Bangladesh: a systematic review of lessons learned from evidence-based studies. J Pub Health Dev. 2018; 16 (3): 81-94. Senior Author.

24. Bhuiyan S, Begum H, Deena, Ehsan S, Jamal Shah S, et al. Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Handbook and Its Effect on Maternal and Child Health Care: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Community Med Public Health: CMPH-109. 2017; Vol. 2017, Issue 02. Senior Author.

25. Bhuiyan Shafi, Nakamura Y. GO-NGO Partnership Challenges and Opportunities in the New Millennium: A case Study of Reproductive Health Initiative in Bangladesh. The Bulletin of Human Sciences. 2004; Volume 30: 209-220. Principal Author.

26. Bhuiyan Shafi, Qureshi N. Health Information, education and communication needs: a case study of a health education workshop in a public maternity hospital in Bangladesh. Journal of Asian Women’s Studies. 2004; Volume 13: 57-63. Principal Author.

27. Bhuiyan Shafi. An Experience of Low Birth Weight Study: A Major Public Health Challenge in Bangladesh. ‘Syn’ The Bulletin of Volunteer Studies. 2003; Volume 4:59-72. Principal Author.

28. Bhuiyan Shafi, Qureshi N. Skilled Birth Attendance and MCH Handbook: Unmet Challenges for Safe Delivery in Bangladesh. ‘Syn’ The Bulletin of Volunteer Studies. 2002; Volume 3: 33-45. Principal Author.

29. Bhuiyan Shafi. Public-Private Partnership Experiences in Bangladesh. The Journal of Japan Association for International Health. 2002; Volume 17 (Supplement): 89-89. Principal Author.

30. Hasan A., Chompikul J., Bhuiyan S.U. Patient Satisfaction with Maternal and Child Health Services among Mothers Attending the Maternal and Child Health Training Institute in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Journal of Public Health and Development. 2007; Volume 5 (3):23-33. Co-Author.

31. Herfs, P., & Bhuiyan, S. International medical graduates (IMGs) in Canada and the Netherlands: Can the Dutch learn from Canadian experiences? A survey among academic stakeholders in Canada. Health Education and Care. 2020; 4, 1–4. https://doi.org/10.15761/HEC.1000170. Co-Author.

32. Kazi W, & Bhuiyan S.  “A Systematic Review of the Literature on the Unsafe Injection Practices in the Health-Care Settings and the Associated Blood Borne Disease Trend: Experiences from Selected South Asian Countries.” J Community Prev Med. 2018; 1(2):1-17.

33. Labay E.M., Bhuiyan S.U., & Hongkrailert N. Risk Factors Relating to the Diarrheal Disease Occurrence among under 5 Children at Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand. Journal of Public Health and Development. 2007; Volume 5 (3): 63-74. Co-Author.

34. Md.Yunus, Jutatip S., Shafi U. Bhuiyan. Acceptance of Family Planning Methods among the Married Women of Reproductive Age at Methapukur Upazila, Bangladesh. Journal of Public Health and Development. 2007; Volume 5 (1):53-62. Co-Author.

35. Monette, L. & Rourke, S.B., Bhuiyan, and the Positive Spaces, Healthy Places Team. Inequalities in determinants of health among Aboriginal and Caucasian persons living with HIV/AIDS in Ontario: Results from the Positive Spaces, Healthy Places Study. Canadian Journal of Public Health. 2011; Volume 102(3): 215-219. Co-Author.

36. Nguyen H. Thuong, Shafi U. Bhuiyan, Sutham N. Determinants Related to the Utilization of Voluntary Counselling and HIV Testing Service in Vietnam. Journal of Public Health and Development. 2007; Vol. 5 (1): 63-75. Co-Author.

37. Pandara V.E. Isaranurug S., Bhuiyan S.U. Utilization of MCH Handbook & Exclusive Breastfeeding Among Mothers of Children 6 to 12 months old in Manado, Indonesia. Journal of Public Health & Development; 2006; Volume 4 (3): 65-74. Co-Author.

38. Sean B. Rourke, Tsegaye Bekele, Ruthann Tucker, Saara Greene, Michael Sobota, Jay Koornstra, LaVerne Monette, Jean Bacon, Shafi Bhuiyan, Sergio Rueda, James Watson, Stephen W. Hwang, James Dunn, Keith Hambly. Housing Characteristics and their Influence on Health-Related Quality of Life in Persons Living with HIV in Ontario, Canada: Results from the Positive Spaces, Healthy Places Study. AIDS and Behavior. Nov. 2012; Volume 16(8):2361-2373. Co-Author.

39. Shafi Bhuiyan et al.  Maternal and child health handbook: Utilization and lessons learned from selected evidence-based studies. J Pub Health Dev. 2017: 15(2): 87-100

40. Shafi Bhuiyan, Farah Tahsin. Maternal and Child Health in Bangladesh: Transitioning from MDGs to SDGs. International Journal of Current Research. 2017 May; Volume 9 (05):49982-49993. Principal Author.

41. Shafi Bhuiyan. MNCH Handbook in the World: Lessons Learned from Selected Evidence-Based Studies. (Nov 2016, Tokyo MCH Handbook 10th Conference Presentation – Abstract). Principal Author.

42. Shafi U. Bhuiyan, Nakamura Y., Nahid A. Qureshi. Study on the Development and Assessment of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Handbook in Bangladesh. Journal of Public Health and Development; 2006; Volume 4 (2): 45-60. Principal Author.

43. Shafi U. Bhuiyan. Development, field testing and potential benefits of a Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Handbook in Bangladesh. Journal of International Health Development. 2009; Volume 24(2):73-6. Principal Author.

44. Shafi U. Bhuiyan. Nakamura Y., Continuity of Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health Care through MCH Handbook for Ensuring the Quality of Life. Child Research Net. http://www.childresearch.net/papers/health/2009_02.html.  Principal Author.

45. Shafi U. Bhuiyan. New Immigrant Health Professional’s Individual, Societal and Economic Impact of Ryerson University’s Internationally Trained Medical Doctors (ITMDs) Bridging Program: Results from a Pilot Bridge Training Program at the Chang School of Continuing Education. Journal of Professional, Continuing, and Online Education (JPCOE), 2018. Vol 3.1: 1-10.

46. Sharmin, M., Zannatul, N. M., Shamim, A., Shafi, U.B. “Knowledge attitude practice of essential newborn care among postnatal mothers.” Journal of Health Research.2018; 6 (1): 1-12.

47. Siswanto E., Bhuiyan S.U., Chompikul J. Knowledge and Perception of Pneumonia Disease among Mothers of Children under Five Years attending Nakhon Pathom General Hospital, Thailand. Journal of Public Health and Development. 2007; Volume 5 (2): 43-54. Co-Author.

48. Tucker, R. and Rourke, S.B., Greene, S., Bekele, T. Bhuiyan, S., and the Positive Spaces Healthy Places Team. Housing and Health Related Quality of Life among Persons Living with HIV/AIDS: Design and Implementation of the Positive Spaces, Healthy Places Study. AIDS and Behavior. Sep 2012. (16):2361–2373 DOI 10.1007/s10461-012-0284-0. Co-Author.

49. Wahida Kazi and Shafi Bhuiyan. “A Systematic Review on Interventions to Decrease the Rate of Needlestick Injury Associated Blood-Borne Diseases among the Healthcare Workers in the Low Resource Developing Countries”. EC Emergency Medicine and Critical Care (2018); 2.4: 97-109.

Special Published Report

50. Bhuiyan, S., Linton, V., Stanizai, E., “Creating a roadmap for internationally trained medical doctors (ITMDs) to transition into non-licensed health sector employment: An evidence-based study identifying alternative career pathways. ITMDs Roadmap Study Summary Report, Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, Govt. of Ontario 2018 March. Principal Author https://ce-online.ryerson.ca/ce/content/program_area/itmds/roadmap_for_itmds_study_summary_report.pdf