KGMU Paediatrician Dr Shally Awasthi becomes WHO health advisory group member
Lucknow: In a first, the World Health Organization (WHO) has appointed professor Shally Awasthi, head of the pediatrics department at King George's Medical University (KGMU) Lucknow as a member of the Health-Security Interface Technical Advisory Group (HSI-TAG).
HSI-TAG comprises experts who give advice to the WHO on global health security issues. They help member groups in creating technical resources for member countries to safeguard their populations against deliberate biological threats and emerging challenges.
They also work towards improving Public Health Intelligence and conducting simulations to test responses to health security threats.
The professor has worked in the field of paediatrics and public health and is among the top 2% of global scientists as per a survey by Stanford University last year. She is a paediatrician and epidemiologist with over 35 years of experience.
Awasthi is an elected fellow of all primary Indian science academies namely the National Academy of Science Indian Academy of Sciences, The National Academy of Medical Science, Indian National Science Academy 2020 and Indian Academy of Pediatrics. She was an Honorary Fellow of Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health in 2018.
Speaking to TOI, the professor said, "It is a significant opportunity for me to be appointed to this important group." She added, "I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues to address health security challenges."
The WHO sent out calls for the position in August last year for those who are interested in joining the HSI-TAG. The HSI-TAG has 18 members who were involved in assessing threats post-Covid. The doctor applied for the position.
The body reviewed the applications and the doctor's name was among those shortlisted for interviews. She was eventually selected to be part of the HSI-TAG.
