At the Eighth Global Symposium on Health Systems Research in Nagasaki, Japan, Health Systems Global and the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research announced this year’s Societal Awards. Issued biennially, these awards honour outstanding contributions to the field of health policy and systems research (HPSR) across three categories: lifetime service, distinguished public service and contribution by young professionals. The judging panel independently reviewed the strong group of nominees using criteria tailored to each award. This year’s recipients exemplify dedication, innovation and advocacy, characteristics that are at the heart of these awards – and the wider society.
Lifetime Service Award
Dr Abdul Ghaffar was recognized with the HPSR Lifetime Service Award for his long-time commitment to advancing HPSR and integrating it into global health policy. With a career spanning decades, Dr Ghaffar’s contributions have significantly shaped the field, initially through his work in his home country of Pakistan, then at the Global Forum for Health Research and the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, and later as the driving force behind the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research for over a decade. His focus on integrating systems thinking and embedding implementation research, including beyond traditional HPSR domains, has broadened HPSR’s scope and impact.
Dr Ghaffar’s legacy lies in his ability to connect research with policy-making, ensuring evidence-based decisions at national and global levels. His initiatives, including the Alliance’s Young Professionals Programme and mentorship collaborations, continue to inspire the next generation of HPSR leaders. This award celebrates a lifetime of extraordinary service and transformative contributions.
Sam Adjei Distinguished Public Service Award
The Sam Adjei Distinguished Public Service Award was presented to Dr Keith Cloete for his impressive leadership in South Africa’s Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness. Dr Cloete has spearheaded innovations – including integrated service delivery models across the lifecourse and the pioneering of a health ecosystems approach – which have strengthened resilience and responsiveness in the Western Cape’s health system, working closely with HPSR leaders at the University of the Western Cape and the University of Cape Town.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Cloete’s transparent, evidence-driven leadership earned widespread respect. His cross-sectoral efforts based on powerful analytics capabilities within the health system have driven improvements in violence prevention, child wellbeing and alcohol harm reduction. A systems thinker and advocate for research-policy collaboration, Dr Cloete’s influence extends beyond South Africa, making him a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.
Young Professional Award
The Young Professional Award was bestowed upon Dr Zahra Zeinali for her contributions to gender equity and health systems research. As a global health scholar and advocate, Dr Zeinali has illuminated the gender disparities in health workforce policies and advanced evidence-based solutions for gender equity, issues she discusses in a recent Connecting Citizens to Science podcast recorded at HSR2024. Her research on leadership trajectories in Kenya and India has informed policies addressing systemic inequities.
Dr Zeinali’s dedication to gender-transformative health systems, coupled with her advocacy through networks like the Emerging Voices for Global Health, positions her as a leading voice in the next generation of HPSR champions.
The Alliance extends its congratulations to the 2024 awardees and looks forward to their continued contributions to health systems worldwide. Their work has not only strengthened health systems but also continues to inspire researchers, policy-makers and advocates for more equitable health systems around the world.