Turns out Mzansi’s loss is the world’s gain. Professor Salim Abdool Karim, who was in charge of the country’s Covid-19 ministerial advisory committee, has been appointed to the World Health Organisation’s science council.
The council was established to guide WHO’s science research, according to the South African Medical Research Council. The nine-member team comprises internationally renowned experts from across the globe, including our very own Karim.
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The voice of scientific leadership
The council represents a broad range of disciplines encompassing many aspects of science – from basic research to public health implementation science. Insiders say it will provide advice to the WHO to respond to health problems such as global health threats.
It will also interpret the latest scientific and medical knowledge, and identify the latest advances in technology to improve health globally.
Abdool Karim, who stepped down from South Africa’s Covid-19 advisory committee in March, will guide the advancement of the organisation’s mission. This includes the identification of current and new science and technology issues that WHO needs to address for direct or indirect impact on global health.
