Dr. Sania Nishtar Among Final 3 Nominees to Lead World Health Organization

A few months ago, Dr Sania Nishtar, a Pakistani candidate for the World Health Organization (WHO) presented her vision and plan for the organization at a forum hosted by the Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London. She was a contender for the slot of director-general WHO with other candidates from around the world who also participated in the event.

Fast forward to today and the World Health Organization has announced the names of the three finalists that are currently in the running to become the next director-general of the global health agency.

The candidates are:

  • Dr. David Nabarro, 67, of Britain.
  • Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, 51, of Ethiopia.
  • Dr. Sania Nishtar, 53, of Pakistan.

The election for the global health agency’s 8th director-general will take place in May 2017.

All three contenders are striving to take control of the UN’s leading health agency. Whoever wins the role has a big job on their hand.

“Under the leadership of one of these candidates, the WHO needs to make the case for greater investment in public health and be fearless in calling out countries that fail to play their part”, said Dr. Jeremy Farrar, director of the Welcome Trust.

This is a time for decisive, inspirational leadership. It’s a chance to start a new chapter in global health.

 

About Dr. Sania Nishtar

Dr. Sania Nishtar was born in Peshawar, Pakistan. She specializes in the fields of health and governance. By profession, she is a cardiologist. However, she is also an author and an activist who served in the interim federal cabinet in 2013 overseeing public health, education and science.

Dr. Sania Graduated from Khyber Medical College in 1986 and was awarded the Best Graduate of the Year award. She also holds a Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians and  PhD from King’s College London.

Dr. Sania is best known for her bold and transformational leadership in health. She is also one of the most prominent candidate for Director-General of the World Health Organization. Also serving as the Federal Minister in the government of Pakistan, she was responsible for Health, Science and Technology, Information Technology and Higher Education.


  • Too much self praise. This woman was made IT minister in the interim government and spent her entire time publishing a thick magazine of projects she was working on. I’m sure she must be accomplished but better to be humble, feet on the ground and work hard to unleash your intellectual potential not just have a PR agency promote you.

  • WHO is a false hope created by the rich to get even more richer and famous by doing nothing.


  • Get Alerts

    Follow ProPakistani to get latest news and updates.


    ProPakistani Community

    Join the groups below to get latest news and updates.



    >