Prof Salim Abdool Karim resigns from the Covid-19 Ministerial Advisory Committee

Karim served on the committee since Covid-19 hit South Africa in March last year.

 He told Mkhize that he will be returning to the work he was doing in HIV research and innovation, before his appointment as Chair of the MAC.

“He had therefore tendered his resignation, both as Chair of MAC on COVID-19 as well as an associate member of the MAC on Vaccines, and the Minister had accepted his resignation.

“We therefore confirm that Professor Salim Abdool Karim has resigned from the MAC on COVID-19 with effect from 23 March 2021.

This marks exactly one year that Professor Abdool Karim chaired the MAC on COVID-19,” says Mkhize in a statement.

Mkhize has hailed the wok by Abdool Karim as the chair of the Ministerial Advisory Committee.

“Prof. Abdool Karim has presided over a Ministerial Advisory Committee that has positioned South Africa as one of the leading nations in the emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He has become a trusted figure for so many South Africans, who have grown accustomed to his singular ability of explaining complex scientific concepts in simple terms that all of us can understand,” 

 Professor Marian Jacobs will continue as co-chair of the MAC on COVID-19 for a few more months.

He assumed the position after the reconfiguration of the MAC was announced in September last year.

“Professor Marion has brought extensive experience and expertise in her role as co-chair of the MAC by harnessing a prolific career in public health and health business leadership spanning almost five decades.

She has enriched the leadership of the MAC on COVID-19 and we are thankful for her commitment to serve despite having to continue engaging a robust career,” says Mkhize.

Mkhize says Karim will be succeeded by Prof. Koleka Mlisana as co-chair of the Ministerial Advisory Committee with Prof. Jacobs.

“Professor Mlisana, an eminent scientist and academic in her own right, is an incumbent of the MAC

on COVID-19 as chair of the Pathology/Laboratory Subcommittee. She also serves as a member of

the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance," he said.

Mkhize says the recomposition of the MAC will be necessary to respond to the current evolutions in virology and epidemiology related to COVID-19.

The names of the full MAC will be announced once the appointment processes have been concluded.

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