Published in News
The Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Ntobeko Ntusi as Chair of its Strategy Board, effective October 2025.
Professor Ntusi succeeds Sunny Collings, who has served as Chair since 2024. During her tenure, Sunny provided exceptional leadership and diplomacy, helping the organisation to thrive.
Professor Ntusi is a physician, cardiologist, and President and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council. He also serves as Professor of Medicine at the University of Cape Town and brings extensive leadership experience spanning national, regional, and international platforms. His previous roles include leadership roles with local and international organisations focused on improving cardiovascular health such as the South African Heart Association, Pan African Society of Cardiology, and Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance.
He is a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa, Royal Society of South Africa, and The World Academy of Science. He chairs the Governing Board of the Robert Frater Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases and serves on Governance Boards and Scientific Advisory Committees for various organisations.
Professor Ntusi’s scholarship has long been aligned to the core mission of the GACD. As a clinician-scientist, his research has focused on noncommunicable disease epidemiology, natural history and outcomes, and the interface between noncommunicable diseases and infections. He is also the Director of the SAMRC Centre of Research Excellence on the Intersection of Noncommunicable and Infectious Diseases.
Reflecting on his new role, Professor Ntusi said:
“My vision is to strengthen collaborative and impactful implementation research on chronic conditions, in the face of the rising tide of noncommunicable diseases in underserved populations. In the context of the evolving global health funding landscape, we are keen to demonstrate of the value and relevance of the GACD to all Nations. It is also critically important that we grow the membership of the GACD through constant advocacy on the urgency to address the rising pandemic and unmet needs of noncommunicable diseases.”
Dr Morven Roberts, Chief Executive of GACD, said:
“I am delighted to work with our new Chair. Ntobeko has become Chair at an exciting time for GACD, as we grow and flourish as an independent organisation. I am honoured to work closely with him and confident that together we will drive GACD’s impact even further.”