Our Story
PDGN is managed by a group of elected Officers operating under a constitution approved by its members. The President and Vice-Presidents must all be serving representatives. The Co-Chairs can be former or existing representatives.
Co-Chairs of PDGN
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Sir Michael Hirst, inspired by his daughter’s Type 1 diabetes, has been a global advocate for diabetes care and policy. He served as the first non-medical Chairman of Diabetes UK, led the campaign for a UN Resolution on Diabetes, was President of the International Diabetes Federation (2012–2015), and co-founded PDGN.
Sir Michael Hirst
Co-Chair
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John Bowis, OBE, living with diabetes, is a former UK Member of Parliament and MEP, and a global public health advocate. He has served as Health & Social Services Minister, Vice‑President of Diabetes UK, and contributed extensively to European and international health initiatives. He currently co‑chairs PDGN, advancing diabetes care and policy worldwide.
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Chris Delicata has been dedicated to diabetes advocacy since his son’s diagnosis with type 1 diabetes. He has served as Chair of International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Europe, Vice President of the IDF, and Advisor to its Board on Policy and Advocacy. A founding member of the European Coalition for Diabetes and President of the Maltese Diabetes Association, he is the recipient of the European Citizens Prize.
Chris J. Delicata
Co-Chair
Leadership Profiles
Staff Members
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Sana, living with type 1 diabetes, is a recognized global voice for equitable access to diabetes care. Secretary General of PDGN and Founder and Executive Director of Meethi Zindagi in Pakistan, she has contributed to various international initiatives on community engagement, clinical guidelines, advocacy, and access to diabetes care. Sana was awarded the Thompson Award on the Insulin Centenary in recognition of her outstanding contributions to diabetes care and advocacy.
Sana Ajmal
Secretary General
Cyrine is pursuing her PhD in Business Diplomacy and International Relations with a strong focus on healthcare governance, ethical policy, and access to care—especially for people living with chronic conditions. Her academic research explores the intersection of international business, public administration, and pharmaceutical ethics, particularly in low-resource and humanitarian settings. She has led and supported over 200 cross-sector projects—from field research with stateless communities to developing digital health tools and designing training modules for young leaders.
Cyrine Farhat
Publications Lead
