Sania Nishtar, a Pakistani senator, replaces Prof. Pate as GAVI CEO
Sania Nishtar, a Pakistani senator, has been announced as the new executive director of the GAVI Vaccine Alliance, an organization that focuses on distributing drugs in developing countries.
GAVI stated this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
Prof. Mohammad Pate, Coordinating was appointed the CEO in February 2023.
On June 26, 2023, Pate cited his decision to go back home and contribute to reimagining Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system.
GAVI announced David Marlow as the Interim CEO, respecting Pate’s choice and expressing continued commitment to their global health mission.
The statement said that Nishtar, who was also a Global Health advocate, would officially assume office on March 18.
She would be replacing David Marlow, who has been leading the organization on a provisional basis since the departure of Seth Berkley in the middle of 2023.
The statement said that Nishtar, who has 30 years of experience in public health and medicine, has held various positions in Pakistan.
This included Federal Minister, assistant to the Prime Minister for Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation from 2018 to 2022.
It said she has also served on the board of directors and advisory committees at GAVI.
It said that Nishtar’s appointment as the new executive director of GAVI was a significant development for the organization, and its mission to ensure the equitable distribution of vaccines and drugs in developing countries.
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“Her extensive experience in public health and medicine makes her well-suited for the role, and her leadership will be instrumental in advancing GAVI’s objectives.
“With her at the helm, the organization is poised to continue making a positive impact on global health,” the statement reads
Pate on his he official X handle, congratulated Nishtar for being appointed as the next Gavi CEO, wishing her a successful tenure.
Pate said that Nigeria looked forward to working with her and Jose Barroso the board, and all the Alliance partners.
Other areas he mentioned were expanding routine immunization, reducing zero dose, accelerating newer vaccines, and strengthening of Primary Health Care in the country.
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“We will also play our part to advance Africa’s aspirations for self-sufficiency through manufacturing of life-saving commodities like vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and other biologics,” he pledged.
NAN recalled that the GAVI Vaccine Alliance was established 23 years ago and its board includes organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Bank, various technical-scientific agencies, and governments.
It also includes philanthropic organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, GAVI played a crucial role in the development of the COVAX program for distributing anti-Covid vaccines, particularly in developing countries.
The program distributed two billion doses and is estimated to have prevented 2.7 million deaths worldwide. (NAN)
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