The Aga Khan University honoured two exceptional leaders in health with its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr Gijs Walraven, Director for Health at the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and General Manager of Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS), and Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, a prominent Pakistani politician and champion for public health and population welfare in Sindh. Both were recognised for their long-standing service, and significant contributions to improving health and well-being in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
The AKU Lifetime Achievement award recognises outstanding contributions in areas like research, teaching, healthcare, and global impact. The awards were presented by AKU President Sulaiman Shahabuddin at the
National Symposium on Primary Health Care at AKU. The momentous occasion also celebrated their continuing legacy of leadership, dedication, and impact.
Dr Walraven has direct programme responsibility for the Aga Khan Health Services plus planning and building service companies which are located in South and Central Asia, East Africa and the Middle East. Prior to joining AKDN in 2003, he worked for 15 years in Africa in health care provision, management and research, with a major emphasis on maternal, reproductive and child health, and district health systems.
Dr Walraven has published more than 120 papers in international peer-reviewed journals. His book ‘Health and Poverty: Global health problems and solutions’ received the first prize in the Health and Social Care category in the 2011 British Medical Association Annual Book Awards.
Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho has extensive experience in healthcare management and has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and public health organizations.
With over 25 years of experience working in the health sector, she currently serves as the Provincial Minister of Sindh for Health and Population Welfare and is a Member of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh. She is also currently serving as the chancellor of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST).
Dr Pechuho has been instrumental in driving systemic improvements in healthcare policies and programs aimed at improving public health outcomes and addressing population welfare issues in Sindh. Throughout her career, she has championed impactful initiatives including controlling infectious diseases, expanding immunisation coverage, and improving access to health and education services—particularly for women, children, and marginalized communities. Her work has earned her several awards for her outstanding work in the field of healthcare.
The Aga Khan University honoured two exceptional leaders in health with its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr Gijs Walraven, Director for Health at the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and General Manager of Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS), and Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, a prominent Pakistani politician and champion for public health and population welfare in Sindh. Both were recognised for their long-standing service, and significant contributions to improving health and well-being in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
The AKU Lifetime Achievement award recognises outstanding contributions in areas like research, teaching, healthcare, and global impact. The awards were presented by AKU President Sulaiman Shahabuddin at the
National Symposium on Primary Health Care at AKU. The momentous occasion also celebrated their continuing legacy of leadership, dedication, and impact.
Dr Walraven has direct programme responsibility for the Aga Khan Health Services plus planning and building service companies which are located in South and Central Asia, East Africa and the Middle East. Prior to joining AKDN in 2003, he worked for 15 years in Africa in health care provision, management and research, with a major emphasis on maternal, reproductive and child health, and district health systems.
Dr Walraven has published more than 120 papers in international peer-reviewed journals. His book ‘Health and Poverty: Global health problems and solutions’ received the first prize in the Health and Social Care category in the 2011 British Medical Association Annual Book Awards.
Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho has extensive experience in healthcare management and has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and public health organizations.
With over 25 years of experience working in the health sector, she currently serves as the Provincial Minister of Sindh for Health and Population Welfare and is a Member of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh. She is also currently serving as the chancellor of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST).
Dr Pechuho has been instrumental in driving systemic improvements in healthcare policies and programs aimed at improving public health outcomes and addressing population welfare issues in Sindh. Throughout her career, she has championed impactful initiatives including controlling infectious diseases, expanding immunisation coverage, and improving access to health and education services—particularly for women, children, and marginalized communities. Her work has earned her several awards for her outstanding work in the field of healthcare.
