ISLAMABAD: The Vaccine Alliance-Gavi, on Thursday announced the appointment of Dr Sania Nishtar as its new Chief Executive Officer. Dr Sania, who is currently serving as a senator in her home country Pakistan, will assume the role on March 18, 2024.

A trained medical doctor, Dr Nishtar has built an outstanding career over 30 years as a global public health leader. In national government, she served between 2018 and 2022 as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation, a role with the status of a federal minister. 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.

Professor José Manuel Barroso, Chair of the Gavi Board, said: “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.”

“I am impressed by her accomplishments 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 Gavi’s CEO ad 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,” he said.

Commenting on her appointment, Dr Sania Nishtar said: “Health starts with life-saving vaccines. Over the past 23 years, Gavi has been one of the most impactful organisations in global health.“I am honoured by the trust the Gavi Board has placed in me.