Dr Sania Nishtar appointed as Gavi’s Chief Executive Officer

WEB DESK: Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, made a significant announcement on Thursday regarding the appointment of Senator Dr Sania Nishtar as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Dr Nishtar, who is currently serving as a Senator in Pakistan, is set to assume this vital role on March 18, 2024.

With a career spanning over three decades, Dr Nishtar is a prominent global public health leader and a trained medical doctor.

Her journey includes serving as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation in the national government from 2018 to 2022.

Notably, during the 2013 Caretaker Government in Pakistan, she held the position of Federal Minister.

Beyond her governmental roles, Dr Nishtar has played pivotal roles in civil society and international organisations. She also founded the non-profit NGO think tank Heartfile, advocating for health reform in Pakistan.

Additionally, she served as Chair of Gavi’s Evaluation Advisory Committee from 2011 to 2014 and was an independent member of Gavi’s Board in 2016.

Apart from her leadership experience, Dr Nishtar is a prolific thought leader, co-authoring numerous academic papers and books and being recognised in 2020 as one of the BBC’s 100 Women.

Professor José Manuel Barroso, Chair of the Gavi Board, commended Dr Nishtar’s leadership qualities, stating, “Over three decades of leadership at the national and global levels, Dr Nishtar has built a reputation as a tireless advocate for health equity, an innovative thinker, and a proven doer when it comes to solving complex challenges.”

Dr Nishtar expressed her gratitude for the trust placed in her by the Gavi Board, emphasising the monumental tasks ahead, including addressing the health impacts of climate change, tackling vaccine inequity, preparing for future outbreaks, and boosting routine immunisation.

The outgoing CEO ad interim, David Marlow, acknowledged Dr Nishtar’s appointment, stating, “I have been honoured to lead Gavi with the senior leadership team during this interim period and congratulate the Board on attracting and securing Dr Sania Nishtar as our next CEO.”

Dr Nishtar’s appointment comes at a critical juncture for Gavi as it prepares for the approval of its 2026–2030 strategy in 2024.

Fundraising will be a key focus for Dr Nishtar, with plans underway for a high-level event to launch Gavi’s investment opportunity in June, co-hosted by France and Africa CDC.

Read next: US Securities regulator gives nod to historic Bitcoin ETF launch