Case Studies – nayabsultan.com/case-studies
Work that changes systems and saves lives.
The following case studies represent a selection of engagements across government advisory, field research, infrastructure, and international development. Each one started with a specific problem. Each one required a different combination of field knowledge, policy experience, and institutional relationships to solve. They are presented here not as portfolio items but as evidence of what occupational health advisory looks like when it is done at the right depth.
The Challenge
Southern Africa's former mining workforce – spread across ten countries, including South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, and Namibia – faces a generational occupational disease crisis. Decades of silica exposure have produced high rates of silicosis and silicotuberculosis, compounded by inadequate compensation systems, cross-border health data gaps, and the absence of coordinated long-latency disease surveillance.
The Approach
Senior advisory engagement supporting the Southern Africa Miners Association (SAMA) and its seven partner organizations. Work includes situational analysis across SADC member states, support for Botswana Mineworkers Union's first Workplace Exposure Standards register, contribution to the National Cancer Registry of the Kingdom of Eswatini, AI-supported screening research (CIHR/UBC/UCT), and body mapping techniques for epidemiological pattern detection in Eswatini funded by AIHA Microgrant 2025–2026.
Key Outcomes
- SAMA partner network: AMIMO, MFOMIWA, NEAWAZ, SAEC, EWEMAZ, EMAM, SWAMMIWA
- First Workplace Exposure Standards register, Botswana Mineworkers Union
- National Cancer Registry contribution, Kingdom of Eswatini
- AI chest imaging screening protocol development (CIHR CAD $600,000)
- Body mapping epidemiological pattern detection methodology, Eswatini
Why it matters: Demonstrates global-scale occupational health system design.
The Challenge
Early detection of silicosis and tuberculosis in active and former miners is constrained by the absence of scalable, low-cost screening tools in resource-limited settings. Existing diagnostic pathways rely on X-ray infrastructure and specialist clinical interpretation, which are unavailable in most affected communities across Southern Africa.
The Approach
Co-applicant on a CAD $600,000 Canadian Institutes of Health Research grant to pilot artificial intelligence in triage for early detection of tuberculosis and silicosis among ESwati miners. Oversees implementation research across multiple mine health examination sites, coordinating with the University of Cape Town and SAMA partners to evaluate AI-supported medical screening during routine health examinations. Outputs directly informing WorkSafeBC medical surveillance protocol advisory.
Key Outcomes
- AI-supported chest imaging screening protocols developed
- Implementation research across multiple mine health examination sites in Eswatini
- Coordination framework between UBC, UCT, and seven SAMA partner organizations
- Outputs informing WorkSafeBC medical surveillance protocol advisory
- Scalable screening model for resource-limited occupational health settings
Why it matters: Advances early detection globally.
The Challenge
Caribbean member states across CARICOM lacked functioning national OHS systems, coherent policy frameworks, or the institutional capacity to meet ILO convention requirements. Individual countries operated without the regulatory infrastructure to protect workers, investigate incidents, or coordinate across borders.
The Approach
Chief Technical Advisor for the Caribbean Safety Development Programme, leading national and regional OHS programme development across CARICOM region. Established Antigua and Barbuda's National Safety Authority as Acting Deputy Head. Facilitated multilateral technical cooperation across member states, advising on ratification of ILO C.155 and C.167, standards harmonization, and the development of national OHS profiles and legislative frameworks and the first National Advisor for OHS for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Key Outcomes
- National Safety Authority established in Antigua and Barbuda
- ILO-CIS Observer representation secured for Antigua and Barbuda
- Country OHS profiles and national reports for multiple CARICOM members
- ILO convention ratification advisory across the region
- Radiation exposure and risk assessment frameworks authored
Why it matters: Built systems from zero.
The Challenge
A CAD $4B public infrastructure programme along the Highway 99 corridor connecting British Columbia and Washington State with an 8 lane immersed tunnel and highway improvements. Set up systems to integrated HSE governance across three linked projects, multiple contractors, and a geographically sensitive construction environment. Executive leadership needed strategic HSE advisory that could operate across the full programme structure without fragmenting into project-level compliance management.
The Approach
Discipline Lead for Health, Safety, and Environment, providing expert guidance to executive and senior leadership on occupational health, safety, and risk management across the full programme. Designed HSE governance frameworks for the multi-project structure, advised on evidence-based decision-making, and coordinated cross-disciplinary integration between geotechnical, engineering, and HSE functions.
Key Outcomes
- HSE governance framework designed for multi-project programme structure
- Strategic advisory to executive leadership on integrated safety and risk management
- Evidence-based decision-making frameworks implemented across high-profile public works
- Cross-disciplinary coordination between geotechnical, engineering, and HSE teams
- Successful safe delivery contribution to one of BC's largest infrastructure programmes
Why it matters: High-impact infrastructure safety model.