2025 World Hepatitis Alliance Regional Board Member Elections

Aftab Ahmad – Pakistan

EMRO regional board member candidate

National Academy of Young Scientists (NAYS), Pakistan-President and Global Future Leader of World Hepatitis Alliance.

Aftab’s biography

Dr. Aftab Ahmad is a global health advocate and biotechnology innovator from Pakistan, serving as a Future Leader of the World Hepatitis Alliance. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of Chattha Bio Care, leading initiatives in public health, probiotics, and sustainable biotechnology. Dr. Aftab has represented Pakistan at numerous international forums, promoting science-based approaches for hepatitis elimination. With extensive experience in health communication and innovation, he also hosts educational radio programs to raise awareness about infectious diseases. His work bridges research, policy, and community action for a hepatitis-free future. Dr. Aftab Ahmad is also serving as President of National Academy of Young Scientists (NAYS), Pakistan.

Aftab’s personal statement

As a scientist, advocate, and person living with Hepatitis B, I have dedicated my life and career to advancing the mission of the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) — ensuring that no one is left behind in the journey toward a hepatitis-free world. I was diagnosed with Hepatitis B several years ago, and that moment transformed my understanding of health advocacy. It turned my scientific curiosity into a deeply personal commitment to public health, awareness, and compassion for all those affected by viral hepatitis.

Having served as a Future Leader of the World Hepatitis Alliance, I have witnessed how WHA’s work empowers individuals and communities to speak up, demand access, and shape better health policies. I now seek to serve as the Regional Board Member for the EMRO Region to strengthen collaboration among countries, amplify the voices of those living with hepatitis, and support evidence-based policymaking for prevention, testing, and care.

Lived Experience and Advocacy

Living with Hepatitis B has given me a unique perspective — one that blends professional expertise with personal empathy. I understand the challenges of stigma, misinformation, and limited awareness that many people with hepatitis face daily. This experience drives me to use my platform and scientific background to educate, advocate, and support others.

Through my radio program “Innovative Pakistan” on Radio Pakistan (FM 89.6), I have conducted multiple sessions on hepatitis awareness, prevention, and treatment. By inviting doctors, researchers, and policymakers, I have helped create a bridge between science and the general public, translating complex medical information into accessible discussions. I also regularly engage in community outreach, encouraging screening, vaccination, and early intervention — especially among young people and rural populations.

Leadership and Institutional Roles

I serve as the President of the National Academy of Young Scientists (NAYS), Pakistan, which represents thousands of emerging researchers nationwide. Under my leadership, NAYS has organized science advocacy and health awareness campaigns across Pakistan, including school and university programs focusing on hepatitis and other infectious diseases.

We have partnered with ministries, universities, and NGOs to promote preventive healthcare and evidence-based decision-making, recognizing that awareness and education are foundational to disease elimination.

I also co-founded Chattha Bio Care, a biotechnology company providing research-based solutions in agriculture, livestock, and human health. Through this initiative, we have introduced bio-based probiotics that support gut and liver health — indirectly contributing to better management of chronic liver conditions and overall wellness.

Regional Collaboration and Scientific Diplomacy

My engagement with scientific networks across Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and Finland has provided me with an understanding of the diverse challenges within the EMRO region. In 2025, I co-led a policy dialogue on solid waste management in collaboration with the Pakistan Academy of Sciences and INGSA Asia, supported by the International Science Council. This experience strengthened my capacity to bring together policymakers, scientists, and communities — a skill essential for advancing hepatitis elimination through multisectoral collaboration.

I firmly believe that the EMRO region, despite its diversity, can achieve significant progress through shared learning and cooperation. Countries in this region face similar barriers: inadequate testing, stigma, and policy gaps. As a Regional Board Member, I will prioritize:

· Strengthening partnerships among national hepatitis programs and WHA members.

· Advocating for equitable access to diagnostics, treatment, and vaccines.

· Promoting awareness campaigns that reflect cultural and social contexts.

· Integrating hepatitis prevention into broader public health and development agendas.

Innovation and Public Engagement

My scientific work centers on innovation for health and sustainability. Through initiatives such as the upcoming Green Innovation Center in Islamabad, I aim to create spaces where science, entrepreneurship, and social good intersect. By providing training, mentorship, and lab access to young researchers, we are cultivating a new generation of scientists who approach health issues — including hepatitis — with creativity and compassion.

In my public communication and policy work, I consistently emphasize the human side of science. Every statistic represents a person — a story. As someone living with Hepatitis B, I see it as my responsibility to share my own experience to reduce stigma and show that life with hepatitis is manageable with care, awareness, and solidarity.

Commitment to WHA’s Vision

The WHA has been a source of inspiration and empowerment for me. My journey as a Future Leader of WHA allowed me to engage directly with global advocates and witness the transformative impact of collective action. As a Regional Board Member, I would bring not only my lived experience but also a decade of leadership in science communication, innovation, and policy dialogue.

I intend to:

· Strengthen WHA’s presence and visibility within EMRO through collaborations with universities, NGOs, and youth networks.

· Facilitate storytelling and advocacy from people living with hepatitis.

· Bridge community voices with policymakers through evidence-based advocacy.

· Build alliances with WHO-EMRO and national health ministries for aligned strategies.

Conclusion

My dual identity as a scientist and a person living with Hepatitis B gives me both the empathy and the expertise to contribute meaningfully to WHA’s mission. I represent a community that strives not for sympathy, but for inclusion and empowerment.

As Regional Board Member for EMRO, I aim to strengthen cross-border solidarity, amplify unheard voices, and accelerate our shared progress toward elimination. I believe that with unity, science, and compassion, we can make the vision of a hepatitis-free world by 2030 a living reality — not just an aspiration.