Media statements
 Top honours for Medical Research Council President
Sunday, 19th October 2008
Cape Town, South Africa
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) in Washington DC, USA, announced the names of 65 new members and five foreign associates in conjunction with its 38th annual meeting. Election to the IOM is considered one of the highest honours in the fields of health and medicine and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service.
"It is a great pleasure to welcome these distinguished and influential individuals to the Institute of Medicine," said IOM President Harvey V. Fineberg. "Members are elected through a highly selective process that recognizes people who have made major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care, and public health."
A diversity of talent among IOM's membership is assured by the Institute's charter, which stipulates that at least one-quarter of the membership is selected from outside the health professions, for example, from such fields as the natural, social, and behavioral sciences; law; engineering; and the humanities.
Current active members elect new members from among candidates nominated for their outstanding accomplishments. The newly elected members raise IOM's total active membership to 1,576 and the number of foreign associates to 89. With another 71 members holding emeritus status, IOM's total membership is now 1,736.
The Institute of Medicine is unique for its structure as both an honorific membership organization and an advisory organization. Established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences, IOM has become recognized as a national resource for independent, scientifically informed analysis and recommendations on human health issues.
With their election, members make a commitment to volunteer a significant amount of time as members of IOM committees, which engage in a broad range of studies on health policy issues.
Prof Mbewu has been President of the South African Medical Research Council (MRC) since 2005 to present; and has been a Visiting Professor in Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town since 2004 and is a Member of the Royal College of Physicians of the UK; and Founder member and former Vice President of the Academy of Science of Southern Africa.
Prof Mbewu is very active in global health, with current appointments that include :
- Co-Chair of the Inter Academy Medical Panel (IAMP) - 2006 to 2012. The IAMP is
a body of 65 of the leading Medical Academies in the world that work together to
provide science advice, promote health and build capacity, particularly in developing countries.
- Vice Chairperson of the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development
- Member of the WHO Director General’s External Reference Committee for a Research Strategy for WHO
- Member of the Foundation Council Member of the Global Forum for Health Research
- Strategy Working Group of the National Institutes for Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), National Institutes of Health, USA
- Former Chairperson of the Taskteam appointed by the Minister of Health to prepare for Cabinet, an Operational Plan for the Comprehensive Prevention, Treatment and Care of HIV and AIDS that has initiated over 500 000 on treatment for AIDS since 2003
- Former member of the Global Alliance for Vaccine Development (GAVI) : Expert Economic Group on Advanced Manufacturing Commitments for Pneumococcal Vaccine for the establishment of a US$ 1.5 billion facility to fund pneumococcal vaccines for developing countries.
- Formerly member of the Medicine’s Control Council of South Africa (MCC) - 2000 - 2003.
ENDS
Issued by: Leonard Solai
Denovo Communications
084 660 6776
on behalf of: Professor Anthony MBewu
Medical Research Council
For an interview, please contact Prof MBewu on 021-9380240
For further information, contact Leonard Solai 084 6606776 |
