The University of the Free State (UFS) has received recognition once more in relation to serving in the World Health Organization (WHO).
This came with the appointment of Prof. Champion Nyoni, senior researcher in the School of Nursing, to the WHO Academy Standing Advisory Quality Committee, becoming the only representative from Africa to serve.
The university announced on 13 June the appointment of Nyoni.
Another staff member appointed to serve the global health watchdog is Prof. Motlalepula Matsabisa, an expert on African traditional medicine and head of the African Medicines Innovations and Technologies Development Platform (AMITD) within the Department of Pharmacology.
He was appointed in May.
Matsabisa was appointed to serve on a WHO initiative, the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine Editorial Board and Evidence Task Force. His appointment will be effective until the end of December 2023.
Matsabisa will also attend the first WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit in India in August, following an invitation to serve as a member of the summit’s external advisory group.
The appointment of Nyoni, the current chairperson of the board of directors for the Africa Interprofessional Education Network (AfrIPEN), and deputy chair of the Board for Interprofessional Global, a global confederation of interprofessional networks based in the Netherlands, will be effective for two years.
“I feel thrilled about this exciting adventure. I think this is an exciting opportunity in my career to be recognised by an organisation such as the WHO to serve in the capacity of adviser. I think this is a huge feather in my cap, our School of Nursing, and the faculty.
“My work and contributions are being recognised and this is a good thing. I am hoping to make an impact in this committee and to also learn from it,” said Nyoni.
Despite pressure of representing the whole continent, Nyoni believes his experience with global organisations will come in handy, adding that he was ready taking on the challenge and to give it his best and to leave a legacy of excellence.
“Due to the complexity of the health profession’s education in our context, our different cultural, geographical, and socio-economic issues, it is truly an interesting concept to actually think of representing an entire region.
“I have worked in and continue to work in many countries in Africa through various research projects and postgraduate students, which gives one some insight into what is happening in the region, but often one needs to know more,” said Nyoni.
For Matsabisa, who also serves as the chairperson of the WHO Regional Expert Advisory Committee on Traditional Medicine (React), it is always thrilling to be recognised by serving in such world bodies.
The WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (WHO-GCTM) was established in 2022 as a global knowledge centre for traditional medicine to harness the potential of traditional medicine from across the world through modern science and technology in order to improve the health of people and the planet.
“I look at myself most of the time and ask myself what I am doing right to be given such recognition globally. I am, however, always ready and prepared to take such responsibilities and challenges.
“I feel happy and great knowing that my expertise and experience is recognised so far from home. I will do my best and try not to fail anyone. I will give it my all and put my whole heart into this task,” said Matsabisa.
He said he was looking forward to seeing the WHO develop tools and guidelines that will promote the institutionalisation of traditional medicine and to come up with resolutions on how to take traditional medicines forward.
