Dr. Sania Nishtar Takes On Gavi CEO position

Senator Dr. Sania Nishtar, the former Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for poverty alleviation, has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Gavi is an international organization dedicated to improving vaccine accessibility for children in underprivileged nations. Dr. Nishtar, a qualified medical practitioner and current senator, is scheduled to assume this prestigious position on March 18, 2024.

With a distinguished career spanning over three decades in the health sector, Dr. Nishtar served in the national government from 2018 to 2022 as the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for social protection and poverty alleviation, a role that held federal ministerial status. Her significant contributions include chairing Gavi’s Evaluation Advisory Committee from 2011 to 2014 and serving as an independent member of Gavi’s Board in 2016.

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Professor José Manuel Barroso, Chair of the Gavi Board, expressed admiration for Dr. Nishtar’s leadership qualities, her advocacy for health equity, innovative thinking, and her ability to address complex challenges. He acknowledged David Marlow’s interim leadership, recognizing his dedication to implementing crucial structural and cultural reforms within Gavi.

In response to her appointment, Dr. Sania Nishtar highlighted the pivotal role of life-saving vaccines in healthcare and recognized Gavi’s substantial impact on global health over the past 23 years. Warm congratulations were extended to Dr. Nishtar by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, acknowledging her exceptional contributions to Pakistan and her distinguished global leadership in public health.

Former federal minister Dr. Miftah Ismail celebrated Dr. Nishtar’s achievement, expressing pride in her accomplishments and extending best wishes for her crucial role at Gavi. Dr. Nishtar’s appointment is not only a testament to her expertise and leadership in the health sector but also signifies a significant stride for Gavi in its mission to enhance vaccine accessibility and global health outcomes.