A Kenyan has been nominated to sit on a newly formed global organ of a UN agency seeking to address inequalities linked to Aids and pandemics.
National Syndemic Diseases Control Council chief executive officer Dr Ruth Masha joins the 19-member team at the Global Council on Inequality, Aids and Pandemics that is currently in its formative stage.
Dr Masha was nominated by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and Aids, according to a letter by Unaids executive director Winnie Byanyima who said the council’s formation started through a series of events that were slated from June 2023.
It will be co-chaired by Nobel prize-winning economist Prof Joseph Stiglitz, Namibia First Lady Monica Geingos and Director of the University College of London Institute of Health Equity Michael Marmot.
The Council draws membership from government, academia, civil society and the creative arts and will strive to elevate public and political awareness of the link between inequalities and pandemics such as Aids and Covid-19.
It will operate for an initial two years with secretariat support from Unaids, according to Byanyima.
“With your expertise in HIV prevention, coupled with your experience in partnership and in the fight against Covid-19, I believe you have a lot to add to the inequality framing and actions required to end Aids and stem pandemics,” Byanyima said in her communication to Dr Masha.
The Council will further be mandated to analyse and utilise empirical evidence on the relationship between inequalities and pandemics, generate innovative thinking on strategies, policies, and laws to combat the inequalities.
Byanyima said inequalities within and between countries were undermining Unaid's capacity to respond to future pandemic outbreaks.
“We believe innovative leaders from academia, government, creative sectors, and civil society can, together, help move the global conversation from ill-defined promises to a concrete, evidence-based agenda with clear measures, policies, and actions,” she said.
Accepting Dr Masha’s nomination, National Syndemic Diseases Control Council board chairperson Geoffrey Gitu urged Dr Masha to utilise her experience in the new role to benefit the Kenyan HIV response.
“Congratulations on this prestigious opportunity to contribute to global efforts in addressing crucial issues such as inequality, Aids and pandemics,” Gitu said.
He added: “Your expertise in HIV prevention and your experience in partnership and fights against Covid-19 make you a valuable addition to the council.”
