KARACHI: Dr Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, Founding Director of the Institute for Global Health and Development at Aga Khan University (AKU), has been awarded the globally renowned Virchow Prize 2025 for his extraordinary and lifelong commitment to advancing maternal, newborn, and child health. He shares this year’s honour with Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim of South Africa.
The Virchow Prize for Global Health, awarded by the Berlin-based Virchow Foundation, recognizes visionary contributions to global health aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the goal of “Health for All.” It is considered one of the world’s highest recognitions in global health, celebrating trailblazers who influence both science and policy to drive systemic change.
The Virchow Prize Committee praised Dr Bhutta’s decades of groundbreaking research and advocacy, describing his influence on policy and public health as “exceptionally impressive and transformative.” His work has focused on equity, community-based primary care, and large-scale implementation research—especially in low- and middle-income countries and fragile, conflict-affected settings.
“Dr Bhutta's work has been instrumental in shaping global health guidelines and national policies for maternal, child health and nutrition,” the Committee noted. “He has championed models that prioritize vulnerable communities and redefined the global health agenda to include historically marginalized populations.”
A prolific scholar with over 1,400 scientific publications, Dr Bhutta serves as an advisor to multiple global organizations including WHO, UNICEF, and the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH). His efforts have significantly contributed to reducing maternal and child mortality in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and various humanitarian contexts.
Reacting to the award, Dr Bhutta stated:
“This honour is not mine alone—it is a reflection of the tireless efforts of collaborators, students, and trainees across the world who work every day to solve the complex challenges facing women and children. I am deeply grateful to them.”
This international recognition marks a historic milestone for both Dr Bhutta and Aga Khan University, further reinforcing Pakistan’s role in the global health landscape.
“It is a personal and institutional honour to congratulate Dr Bhutta,” said Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin, President of Aga Khan University. “His dedication to maternal and child health mirrors AKU’s mission to improve lives through excellence in education, research, and healthcare delivery. We are immensely proud.”
Dr Bhutta’s award is not only a testament to scientific excellence but also a powerful reminder of the impact of compassionate, community-centred care in building a healthier, more equitable world.
