Dr. David Nabarro, the renowned British physician who led global responses to major health emergencies such as bird flu, Ebola, and the COVID-19 pandemic, has died. He was 75.
His death was confirmed on Saturday by World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on social media platform X. “David was a great champion of global health and health equity, and a wise, generous mentor to countless individuals,” Tedros wrote. “His work touched and impacted so many lives across the world.”
Knighted by King Charles in 2023 for his contributions to global health, Dr. Nabarro was widely respected for his leadership in international public health. He had served as one of six WHO special envoys on COVID-19 and was a key figure in the global response to the pandemic.
In 2018, he was awarded the prestigious World Food Prize for his efforts to combat hunger and improve health systems worldwide. He had earlier vied for the position of WHO Director-General in 2017, ultimately losing in the final round to Tedros.
Dr. Nabarro stepped away from his UN roles in 2017 and later joined the Geneva-based 4SD Foundation, a social enterprise focused on sustainable development leadership, where he served as strategic director. The foundation announced his “sudden passing” at home on Friday and praised his “generosity and unwavering commitment to improve the lives of others.”
He is survived by his wife, Flo, five children, and seven grandchildren.
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