By Imtiaz Hussain Abro.
Gavi CEO role filled by Dr. Sania Nishtar
Senator Dr. Sania Nishtar, formerly the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on poverty alleviation, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance—an international organization dedicated to improving vaccine access for children in underprivileged nations.
Dr. Sania Nishtar, a qualified medical doctor and current senator, is scheduled to assume the position on March 18, 2024.
With a distinguished career spanning over 30 years in the health sector, Dr. Nishtar served in the national government from 2018 to 2022 as the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on social protection and poverty alleviation, a role with federal ministerial status.
She chaired Gavi’s Evaluation Advisory Committee from 2011 to 2014 and served as an independent member of Gavi’s Board in 2016.
Professor José Manuel Barroso, Chair of the Gavi Board, commended Dr. Nishtar’s leadership, advocacy for health equity, innovative thinking, and problem-solving skills in addressing complex challenges. He expressed gratitude to David Marlow for his interim leadership, recognizing his commitment to implementing crucial structural and cultural reforms within Gavi.
Upon her appointment, Dr. Sania Nishtar underscored the importance of life-saving vaccines in healthcare and acknowledged Gavi’s substantial impact on global health over the past 23 years. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, extended warm congratulations to Dr. Nishtar, recognizing her exceptional contributions to Pakistan and her distinguished global public health leadership.
Former federal minister Dr. Miftah Ismail celebrated Dr. Nishtar’s achievement, expressing pride in her accomplishments and offering best wishes for her pivotal role at Gavi
