Dr. Sania Nistar becomes new head of Gavi vaccine alliance

• Dr Nishtar will assume role on March 18, 2024.
• He is currently serving as a senator in Pakistan.
• The former prime minister’s aide has been a global leader in public health for 30 years.

ISLAMABAD: Senator Dr Sania Nishtar, former Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation, has been appointed as the new CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance — an international organization that improves access to vaccines for children in poverty-stricken countries.

According The newsDr. Sania Nishar — a trained physician currently serving as a senator — will assume the role on March 18, 2024.

In health, the senator has built an extraordinary career spanning more than 30 years as a global leader in public health. In the national government, he served between 2018 and 2022 as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation, a role with federal ministerial status.

Dr. Nishtar served as chair of Gavi’s Evaluation Advisory Committee from 2011 to 2014 and in 2016 served as an independent member of Gavi’s Board of Directors.

Professor José Manuel Barroso, Chair of the Gavi Board, said: “Over three decades of national and global leadership, Dr Nishtar has built a reputation as a tireless advocate for health equity, an innovative thinker and a proven practitioner. for solving complex challenges”.

“I am impressed by her achievements and excited by the possibilities her appointment brings for our Alliance and our ambitions to protect future generations. I also thank David Marlow for his effective leadership as CEO of Gavi, on an interim basis.

His unwavering commitment to keep Gavi moving forward with significant structural and cultural reforms has ensured that Gavi is in the best possible position to meet its current and future goals,” he said.

Commenting on her appointment, Dr Sania Nishtar said, “Health starts with vaccines that save lives. For the past 23 years, Gavi has been one of the most influential organizations in global health.

“I am honored by the confidence placed in me by the Gavi Board and look forward to leading one of the most important organizations in global health from 18 March.”

In the meantime, her appointment to the new coveted position also drew her congratulatory messages.

Dr. Nishtar was commended for her outstanding contribution to Pakistan by the Ministry of External Affairs.

“Warm congratulations to Senator @SaniaNishtar on his appointment as CEO of @GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance,” he told X.

The FO further termed the senator as a distinguished global public health leader who has made outstanding contributions to Pakistan throughout her illustrious career.

The Director-General of the World Health Organization Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also congratulated Dr. Nistar on her appointment.

“Congratulations, dear @SaniaNishtar, on your appointment as the next CEO of @gavi. My colleagues at @WHO and I look forward to working closely with you and your team to reach every last child with life-saving vaccines.” Together!” published in X.

Former federal minister Dr Miftah Ismail called Dr Nishtar’s appointment “a great achievement” for her and Pakistan.

“What a great achievement for Dr @SaniaNishtar and for Pakistan. Dr Nistar makes Pakistan proud in whatever she does. Best wishes for her important work at Gavi,” she wrote, sending best wishes to the senator.