Sania Nishtar

Recently nominated as the International Health Professional of the Year 2007 by the International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, Dr. Sania Nishtar is known best for her cutting edge contributions to health policy and planning. Within Pakistan, she worked briefly as a cardiologist and then set up the NGO think tank Heartfile, which is the most powerful health policy voice in Pakistan and recognized as a model for replication in other developing countries. She focuses on catalyzing change and institutionalizing innovative solutions to improve Pakistan’s health systems. Dr. Nishtar serves on the boards of many international health agencies, has led many global health initiatives, has been involved in the development of several international health declarations, has given more than 70 invited talks all over the world and is one of the few Pakistani physicians with a highly-rated publication record. Sania Nishtar is the recipient of many awards including the Sitara-i-Imtiaz of Pakistan, the European Societies Population Science Award and 16 gold medals.