Dr Jeremiah Chakaya Muhwa has been elected as the new President of The Union at a meeting in Liverpool of the Board of Directors.
Dr Jeremiah Chakaya Muhwa has been elected as the new President of The Union at a meeting in Liverpool of the Board of Directors.
Dr Chakaya has been a leader in tuberculosis (TB) control throughout his career, in his home country of Kenya and on the global stage. Until recently the Chief Research Officer for the Kenya Medical Research Institute, he has led the National TB Control Programme as its head from 2003 to 2006 and continues to act as a technical expert for the National Programme. In Kenya he also acts as the technical advisor and director of the Kenya Association Against TB and Lung Disease (KAPTLD). As a founding member of KAPTLD he has steered this organisation to be a leader in TB control, focusing particularly on TB and poverty in urban slums of Kenya as well as Public Private partnerships in TB control.
On an international stage, Dr Chakaya has been active in both the Stop TB partnership and at the World Health Organization (WHO). He has served three terms as the chair of the DOTS Expansion Working Group of the STOP TB Partnership as well as chair of STAG TB at WHO. Respected for his work and knowledge about the region, he has participated in a variety of country and programmatic reviews throughout Africa. A passionate teacher, Dr Chakaya remains the leading force behind such initiatives as the Kenya Scientific Lung Conference and remains a prolific scientific writer. Dr Chakaya is taking up a teaching, research and clinical position at the school of medicine Kenyatta University after many years of work with the Kenya Medical Research Institute.
Throughout this body of work, Dr Chakaya has never forgotten about the patient; he remains a practicing clinician to this day, translating his scientific knowledge into direct patient care, leading by example for the next generation of African public health professionals.
Dr Chakaya takes on the role of President from Dr E Jane Carter who received a standing ovation at the Closing Ceremony in Liverpool in recognition of her work as Union President. She will now serve as Past President on the board.
Dr Chakaya said: “It is a huge honour to take on the role of Presidency at The Union, and I look forward to my first term with great enthusiasm. I am following in the steps of a great President and must thank Jane Carter for her leadership and dedication over the past five years.”
Five new members were elected to the board:
1. Mr Chaudhary Muhammad Nawaz (Pakistan) will represent the South-East Asia Region
2. Dr Zohar Mor (Israel) will represent the Europe Region
3. Ms Blessina Kumar (India) will serve as an individual member of the board
4. Ingrid Oxley (South Africa) will serve as an individual member of the board
5. Prof Edward Nardell (USA) will serve as an individual member of the board.