Durban - Infectious diseases epidemiologist Professor Salim Abdool Karim was this week awarded the Honorary Fellowship of The College of Pathologists in Virology by the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA).
This is the highest award given by CMSA, an institution of medical and dental specialists whose purpose is to promote the highest degree of skill, efficiency, ethical standards, and professional conduct for the benefit of humanity and to promote the honour of the medical and dental profession.
“We believe that Professor Abdool Karim has not only distinguished himself in the incredible work that he does nationally, regionally, and internationally, but certainly we recognise his enormous achievements in scientific leadership and knowledge generation in virology, strategy, and policy formulation. We further remain inspired by his seminal contributions regarding global health issues such as the HIV/Aids epidemic and more recently the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Professor Flavia Senkubuge, CMSA president.
Abdool Karim is globally recognised for his contributions in viral diseases, particularly HIV and Covid-19. In the 1990s he chaired the South African Polio Expert Committee and served on the scientific expert advisory panel of the Poliomyelitis Research Foundation. He has advised governments and international agencies including the WHO, UNAIDS, PEPFAR and the Global Fund to fight Aids, TB, and Malaria on the science of infectious diseases and global health.
He currently serves as vice president of the International Science Council and is a member of the World Health Organization’s Science Council and Commissioner of the African Union Commission on Covid-19 and the Lancet Commission on Covid-19.
He is the Director of Centre for the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) and CAPRISA Professor of Global Health, Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University. Abdool Karim is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society and a Member of the US National Academy of Medicine. He chaired the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Covid-19 for the first year of the pandemic in South Africa.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE