Zahra Haji
Clinical Psychologist & Associate Scientist | Psycho-Oncology Lead, Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi
Zahra, a Clinical Psychologist and Associate Scientist, leads the Psychosocial Oncology Program at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi. She pioneered the integration of the Distress Assessment and Response Tool (DART) into routine care within the Department of Hematology-Oncology and established Kenya’s first institutional breast cancer support group, now serving over 300 participants. Her work is dedicated to strengthening the emotional, mental, and social well-being of people affected by cancer, ensuring holistic support alongside medical treatment. Passionate about fostering hope and resilience, Zahra continues to advocate for psychosocial oncology as a vital part of improving the quality of life for patients and their families.
Zahra holds a joint faculty appointment in the Department of Hematology–Oncology and serves as an Associate Scientist at both the Cancer Centre and the Brain and Mind Institute (BMI), where she explores the bidirectional relationship between cancer and mental health. As part of the BMI team, she contributed to the development of the Mental Health First Aid Response Certification program and continues to advance the integration of mental health across AKU campuses in East Africa.
More than a clinician, Zahra is a catalyst for systemic change—advancing equitable, evidence-based mental health care in oncology and bridging gaps between research, policy, and practice in diverse global contexts.
For more collaborative opportunities, please contact Zahra at Zahra.haji@aku.edu
For more collaborative opportunities, please contact Zahra at Zahra.haji@aku.edu
