Born and raised in Gaza, Dr. Hammoda Abu-Odah’s journey into nursing was shaped not in ideal hospital settings but in war zones, power outages, and healthcare systems stretched beyond capacity. He is redefining how the world approaches palliative and cancer care, especially in the most fragile settings.

With over 18 years of experience, Dr. Abu-Odah has emerged as a rare voice bridging humanitarian crises, academic research, and global health policy. His early work in Gaza, in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Palestinian Ministry of Health, led to the first national palliative care framework in Palestine, a landmark model now referenced for healthcare delivery in resource-constrained environments.

He currently leads the Good Death Cross-Cultural International Study spanning Hong Kong, Gaza, Turkey, Greece, and Mainland China, generating critical insights into culturally sensitive end-of-life care. In parallel, he pioneered Hong Kong’s Creative Arts Therapy clinical trial for men with prostate cancer, addressing psychological recovery, body image, and intimacy – areas often overlooked in oncology care.

A strong advocate of digital health, he is currently working with a team at Hong Kong Polytechnic University to develop ePROM-SexPCare, a patient-reported outcome platform that improves symptom tracking, communication, and personalized care for cancer patients. His work consistently integrates technology, cultural sensitivity, and patient dignity.

Dr. Abu-Odah has authored 60+ peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals and actively contributes to global policy as a member of the WHO Regional Palliative Care Expert Network, influencing healthcare frameworks across the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond.

His journey is marked by extraordinary resilience. After losing six international scholarships due to border closures, he continued practicing, teaching, and conducting research in conflict conditions, before eventually becoming the first nurse from Gaza to earn a PhD at Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Today, as a member of the WHO Regional Palliative Care Expert Network, Dr. Abu-Odah is helping shape global health conversations proving that some of the most transformative healthcare innovations can emerge from the most challenging environments.