Hon. Leslie Ramsammy

The Honorable Minister of Health of Guyana, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, is an inspirational global health leader and has devoted his life to improving the lives of people in his country and around the world. He is currently the Chairman of the AMFm (Affordable Medicines for Malaria), an entity operated by the Global Fund to provide medicines for malaria to countries around the world. The Minister is the Chair of the Steering Committee of CARPHA (Caribbean Public Health Agency), an entity being established for Public Health by the countries of CARICOM. Dr. Ramsammy is presently also serving on the Advisory Committee of the NCDnet, a global advisory board to promote greater attention and focus on the chronic diseases.

Dr. Ramsammy was the President of the World Health Organization’s 61st World Health Assembly (2008-2009) and the President of the Pan American Health Organization’s 47th Directing Council (2006-08). Minister Ramsammy has served as the Member on the Board of the Global Fund, representing the Caribbean and Latin America (2008-2009) and is presently the Alternate Board Member representing Latin America and the Caribbean on the GF’s Board.

Dr. Leslie Ramsammy grew up in an impoverished community in Guyana. "No one starved and everyone took care of each other," he says. He was always driven by a sense of service to others. He has a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from Pace University N.Y., a Master’s in Biology from St. John’s University, N.Y., and an MD/PHD in Biochemistry from St. John’s University, N.Y.

In Guyana, Dr. Ramsammy has been a Member of Parliament since 1997 and is Chair of numerous National Oversight Committees including the National Health Thematic Group; the National TB Program; the National Malaria Program; the National PMTCT Program; the National Blood Transfusion Program; many Special Select Committees of Parliament, and the Reforms of the Standing Orders of Parliament and National Fiduciary.