Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator and former Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Dr. Sania Nishtar, has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi). Gavi, a pivotal player in the global battle against the Covid-19 pandemic, announced the news through a press release today, highlighting Dr. Nishtar’s extensive career in global public health leadership.
We are delighted to announce that the Gavi Board has approved the appointment of Senator Dr @SaniaNishtar as Gavi's Chief Executive Officer as of March 2024! https://t.co/mqPN356IUU
— Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (@gavi) January 11, 2024
Dr. Nishtar, a trained medical doctor, is set to assume office on March 18, succeeding the interim CEO. The press release emphasized her remarkable career spanning over three decades, including her role as the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation from 2018 to 2022.
I am delighted to announce that the @Gavi Board has confirmed Senator Dr @SaniaNishtar as the next CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance! I am excited by the possibilities her appointment brings for our Alliance and our ambitions to protect future generations: https://t.co/E8P02hcxWl
— José Manuel Barroso (@JMDBarroso) January 11, 2024
During the announcement, Gavi outlined her accomplishments, citing her tenure in Pakistan’s caretaker government in 2013, where she received acclaim for her efforts in re-establishing the Ministry of Health with a focus on transparency and accountability.
I am honoured and humbled to announce that I have accepted the position of CEO of @Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. I look forward to leading one of the most impactful
organisations in global health as of March 18thhttps://t.co/qJ6nsC7vGH— Senator Dr Sania Nishtar (@SaniaNishtar) January 11, 2024
The press release noted the strategic timing of her appointment, coinciding with Gavi’s fifth five-year strategic period drawing to a close at the end of 2025. The organization is set to seek board approval for its 2026–2030 strategy in the coming years, making Dr. Nishtar’s role crucial in shaping the future direction of Gavi.
Professor José Manuel Barroso, Chair of the Gavi Board, commended Dr. Nishtar as a “tireless advocate for health equity, an innovative thinker, and a proven doer when it comes to solving complex challenges.” He expressed excitement about the possibilities her appointment brings for Gavi and its mission to protect future generations.
Warm felicitations to Senator @SaniaNishtar on appointment as Chief Executive Officer of @GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance. Dr. Nishtar is a distinguished global public health leader and has demonstrated exceptional contributions to Pakistan throughout her illustrious career. pic.twitter.com/2P2ho80AjJ
— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) January 11, 2024
Dr. Nishtar, in response to her appointment, stressed the importance of life-saving vaccines in promoting global health. She acknowledged the enormous challenges ahead, from the health impacts of climate change to addressing vaccine inequity and preparing for future outbreaks. The press release quoted her saying, “I am honored by the trust the Gavi board has placed in me.”
Moreover, she emphasized her commitment to working with Gavi’s talented staff and skilled alliance partners to ensure the organization reaches millions of children in lower-income countries with life-saving vaccines against deadly diseases.
Congratulations to Dr @SaniaNishtar , this is a proud moment for Pakistan!
Dr Sania Nishtar, under PM Imran Khan’s govt, led brilliantly the remarkable Ehsaas programme especially during the Covid pandemic.
It’s a shame for Pakistan that competent and professional people like… https://t.co/uMVmVMxCr0
— PTI (@PTIofficial) January 11, 2024
Gavi’s interim-CEO, David Marlow, expressed anticipation in working closely with Dr. Nishtar and the alliance’s partners to meet their ambitious goals. The World Health Organization Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, congratulated Dr. Nishtar, expressing eagerness to collaborate and reach every child with life-saving vaccines.
The Foreign Office and PTI also extended their congratulations, praising Dr. Nishtar as a distinguished global public health leader, recognizing her exceptional contributions to Pakistan, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. The PTI specifically commended her leadership of the Ehsaas program during these challenging times.
