Dr André Ilbawi is a native of the United States. He graduated with an undergraduate degree in bioengineering and received his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to commencing work at WHO, he was trained as a cancer surgeon at the University of Washington and MD Anderson Cancer Centre. He was involved in clinical and research efforts focusing on cancer care in low-resource settings, health system development, and strengthening cost-effective surgical services, including serving as a commissioner in the Lancet Oncology Commission on Global Cancer Surgery.

Dr Ilbawi joined the WHO Department for Management of Noncommunicable Diseases, Disability, Violence and Injury Prevention (NVI) in August 2015 as a Technical Officer. His work supports the priority actions identified at the April 2015 First Strategic and Technical Meeting on the Management of Cancer, aligned with the WHO Global action plan for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases 2013-2020. His current projects include a policy statement on cancer screening and a technical document on comprehensive oral cancer control.

Alongside a broad alliance of WHO departments, he is also supporting the development of a workplan on childhood cancers and related products as well as programmes aimed at improving health systems including access to essential surgical services, particularly as they relate to cancer care.