Former RSTMH President awarded OBE

Simon Bush, RSTMH president in 2022-2023 and trustee for ten years, has been awarded an OBE in King Charles III’s birthday honours, in recognition of his services to eliminating neglected tropical diseases. 

Simon is Director of NTDs for Sightsavers, where he has worked for 26 years, leading the organisation’s efforts to control and eliminate five neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).  

Commenting on his OBE, which was announced last month, Simon said: “I’m so proud to read ‘neglected tropical diseases’ in the King’s birthday honours. It recognises an extraordinary global health success story that goes far beyond my work. Together, we’re eliminating devastating diseases like trachoma, which turns the eyelashes inwards so that they scrape against the eye, and lymphatic filariasis, which causes painful, swollen limbs.” 

Tamar Ghosh, RSMTH Chief Executive, said on the announcement: “RSTMH is incredibly proud of Simon’s award, which is well deserved for his tireless efforts in working to eliminate NTDs. We wish him a huge congratulations and are grateful for all his support, both to the global health community and to RSTMH.” 

During Simon’s leadership at Sightsavers has supported Ghana, The Gambia, Malawi, Benin, Mali and Pakistan to eliminate trachoma, which is the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness. 

Read more on Sightsavers' website here.