In January 2024 Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance announced the appointment of Dr Sania Nishtar as the new CEO, taking over from interim CEO David Marlow on 18th March 2024. Dr Nishtar is currently serving as a Senator in Pakistan and is a trained medical doctor who has “built an outstanding career” over 30 years as a global public health leader.
Health leadership and experience
Graduating from medical school in 1986, Dr Nishtar was the “best graduate”. She obtained her PhD from King’s College London, and was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Science, Honoris Causa, in in 2019. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and was among the BBC’s 100 Women in 2020.
Gavi states that Dr Nishtar’s career has included roles in national government, civil society, and international organisations. For example, her service as Federal Minister in 2013 won acclaim for “transparency and accountability”. She founded the non-profit NGO think tank Heartfile, was the inaugural Chair of the UN Secretary-General’s Independent Accountability Panel for women’s and children’s health and was the Co-Chair for the WHO Independent High-level Commission on Noncommunicable Diseases.
From 2011 to 2014, Dr Nishtar was Chair of Gavi’s Evaluation Advisory Committee, and served as an independent member of the Board in 2016.
“A prolific thought leader, she has co-authored dozens of academic papers and books, and has been published in many leading national and international newspapers.”
Dr Nishtar reflected on her appointment, saying she is “honoured by the trust” placed in her by the Board.
“Over the past 23 years, Gavi has been one of the most impactful organisations in global health. The task ahead is enormous – from health impacts of climate change to the need to tackle vaccine inequity, prepare for future outbreaks, and boost routine immunisation, which I believe is the gateway to achieving Universal Health Coverage.”
Dr Nishtar looks forward to working with the “talented staff and skilled Alliance partners” to ensure that the organisation “reaches hundreds of millions of children in lower-income countries with life-saving vaccines against deadly and debilitating diseases”.
Thanks to David Marlow
Chair of the Gavi Board, Professor José Manuel Barroso, commented that Dr Nishtar has “built a reputation as a tireless advocate for health equity, an innovative thinker, and a proven doer”.
“I am impressed by her accomplishments and excited by the possibilities her appointment brings.”
Professor Barroso also thanked David Marlow for “effective” leadership in the interim.
“His unfailing commitment to keep Gavi moving forward, by leading important structural and cultural reforms has ensured Gavi is in the best possible shape to meet its current and future goals.”
David Marlow also weighed in on the appointment, offering congratulations to the Board for “attracting and securing” Dr Nishtar.
What do you hope or expect to see from Gavi in the coming years under Dr Nishtar’s leadership? Do you have any advice for her? For more updates on vaccine leadership this year, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletters here!
