Dr. Fyezah Jehan, a renowned pediatrician and Chair of Paediatrics & Child Health at Aga Khan University (AKU), has been honored with the prestigious Distinguished International Fellow award from the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH). This recognition highlights her exceptional contributions to research, advocacy, and service in addressing malnutrition and infectious diseases among mothers and children.
Dr. Jehan’s groundbreaking work has had a significant impact on the lives of countless individuals. Her initiatives, such as the implementation of ready-to-use supplemental foods in Karachi and collaborations with Rotary International and the Trust for Malnutrition and Stunted Growth, have improved the health and well-being of thousands of children and pregnant women.
Her leadership in the MUMTA trial, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is revolutionizing our understanding of how maternal nutrition can positively impact newborn brain health. The AMANHI biobank, a collaborative effort with the World Health Organization and other institutions, is pioneering research into the biology of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes.
Furthermore, Dr. Jehan’s contributions to reshaping pneumonia treatment guidelines and promoting efficient diagnostic and treatment protocols have significantly reduced unnecessary antibiotic use and the risk of antibiotic resistance. Her extensive research, published in over 100 papers, covers a wide range of topics, including vaccine equity, child health interventions, and infectious diseases.
With this latest honor, Dr. Fyezah Jehan joins an esteemed group of international health leaders who have made significant contributions to the field of tropical medicine and hygiene. Her unwavering dedication to improving child health and well-being serves as an inspiration to us all.
