Celebrating Diaspora Excellence: Honouring global health champions at the Diaspora Health Champions Awards 2025

On 18th March 2025, the Royal College of Physicians in London played host to a powerful evening of celebration and inspiration: the second annual Diaspora Health Champions Awards. 

Run by Global Health Partnerships (formerly THET) and held alongside the UK-Africa Health Summit, the ceremony honoured the outstanding achievements of diaspora healthcare professionals shaping health systems in the UK and overseas. 

With one in five NHS staff reporting a non-British nationality, the awards offered a timely reminder: global expertise is at the heart of UK healthcare – and vital to strengthening health systems around the world as well as at home. 

The evening brought together 160 guests – senior African government officials, healthcare leaders and diaspora communities, all united in celebration.  

Guiding the evening was Tulip Mazumdar, global health journalist and former BBC correspondent, who led the programme of celebration with energy, empathy and pride. 

We heard from a host of inspiring speakers: 

• Justin Ash, Chair of Trustees, Global Health Partnerships 

• Lord Nigel Crisp, Patron, Global Health Partnerships 

• Dr Daniel Kyabayinze, Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Uganda 

• Rachael McCormack, Chief Operating Officer, The Randal Foundation 

• David Lloyd Webber, Managing Director (UK) and International Communications and Development Manager, EMERGENCY UK 

Their messages were clear: diaspora professionals are not only strengthening the NHS but transforming global healthcare too.  

Akintunde Kuye – Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust 

Presented by: Justin Ash, Chair, Global Health Partnerships 

Akin champions global health collaborations at Nottingham University Hospitals, linking expertise between the UK and the Global South. He also promotes environmental health and global health diplomacy initiatives through the United Nations. 

Dr Agam Jung – NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board 

Presented by: Dr Grace Magemba, Chief Medical Officer, Tanzania 

A consultant neurologist and founder of the Leeds Motor Neurone Disease Service, Dr Jung has led pioneering work in specialist care, fundraising for the Rob Burrow Centre and delivering specialist neurology training programmes across Africa. 

Agnieszka Szajna – Practice Plus Group 

Presented by: Sheree-Leigh Woodall, Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Practice Plus Group 

Co-founding #MedicsTogether, Agnieszka has delivered over one million medical supplies to Ukrainian hospitals. Her work highlights the frontline impact of diaspora healthcare workers in crisis settings. 

Professor Gideon Mlawa – Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust 

Presented by: Jim Campbell, Director of Health Workforce, World Health Organization 

A Consultant Physician and Director of Medical Education, Professor Mlawa has boosted NHS training and forged partnerships with Tanzania to improve global care standards.  

Lucia Vambe – East London NHS Foundation Trust 

Presented by: Dr Aspect Maunganidze, Permanent Secretary for Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe 

Lucia Vambe combines frontline mental health work in the NHS with leadership of the Zimbabwe Life Project – driving change through education, advocacy and cross-border collaboration. 

Charlene Dsouza – Southwest Ambulance Service NHS Trust 

Presented by: Professor Dame Donna Kinnair DBE, Chair of the Runnymede Trust 

Charlene’s rapid progression within the NHS emergency care system shows the impact of international healthcare professionals. As a Senior Nurse Clinician and Clinical Team Leader, she is shaping new models of prehospital care and mentoring the next generation. 

The Diaspora Health Champions Awards 2025 was more than a celebration; it was a testament to the power of diaspora healthcare professionals in advancing global health. Across the NHS, private sector and beyond, these champions are forging partnerships, inspiring innovation and delivering real-world change. 

This years’ event was made possible thanks to the generous support of:

The Randal Foundation, Practice Plus Group, Insignia Global Partners, Spire Healthcare and West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership. 

Global Health Partnerships is proud to grow the Experts in Our Midst programme – recognising and celebrating the impact of diaspora healthcare professionals around the world and benefits in turn to their work in the UK. 

These awards are just the beginning. 

We invite organisations and partners to help us take this work further – championing those who are building a fairer, healthier world for all. 

Together, we can turn recognition into action and celebration into lasting change.