Global Fund Appoints Izukanji Sikazwe as New Head of HIV
22 July 2025
GENEVA – The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Izukanji Sikazwe as the new Head of HIV. A highly respected infectious disease physician, public health leader and clinical researcher, Dr. Sikazwe brings more than two decades of experience advancing HIV prevention, care and treatment in Zambia and across the Africa region.
Dr. Sikazwe is a graduate of the University of Zambia School of Medicine and completed an internal medicine residency from Good Samaritan Hospital in Baltimore, as well as an infectious disease fellowship from the University of Maryland. She also has a Master of Public Health from Michigan State University and is an alumna of the Africa CDC Kofi Annan Global Public Health Leadership Program.
Most recently, Dr. Sikazwe served as Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), the country’s largest health impact organization, where she led large-scale HIV programs, research and systems strengthening initiatives. As Principal Investigator for PEPFAR-funded programs, she played a pivotal role in expanding access to lifesaving HIV services and supporting the successful transition of HIV care and treatment delivery to the Zambian Ministry of Health.
Her clinical research has informed national and global HIV policies — particularly in the areas of retention in care, differentiated service delivery and person-centered approaches. Dr. Sikazwe has also served as Technical Advisor in the Ministry of Health to Zambia’s National HIV Programme and has mentored a generation of public health professionals across the continent.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Sikazwe to the Global Fund,” said Michael Byrne, Head of Technical Advice and Partnerships of the Global Fund. “Her deep experience in both program implementation and innovation and her unwavering commitment to equitable, people-centered care will be invaluable as we strive to end AIDS as a public health threat and strengthen health and community systems for the future.”
Dr. Sikazwe joins the Global Fund at a critical moment in the global HIV response, bringing a bold vision and leadership to accelerate progress, foster innovation and ensure no one is left behind. Her leadership will be instrumental in driving sustainable, efficient approaches that maximize impact, strengthen country ownership, and build resilient systems for health.