A PROFESSOR who has been instrumental in tackling killer diseases across the globe, has been nominated for a lifetime achievement award by the health publication, the British Medical Journal.

Prof Alimuddin Zumla is one of only 10 people shortlisted from around the world, after 117 people were put forward in the category.

The award aims to recognise health professionals who have made a unique and substantial contribution to improving healthcare.

Mr Zumla, aged 53, from Heaton, has devoted his career to combating HIV, AIDS and tuberculosis.

He is currently professor of infectious diseases and international health at University College London and divides his time between the capital and Bolton.

His achievements include setting up research and training programmes in Africa, Europe and America, influencing global health policies, securing more than £49 million in grant funding and producing more than 300 publications.

Prof Zumla said: “I am proud to be nominated, and proud of my team as well, who have helped me, and my family, especially my wife, who has really supported me.

“It’d be great to win. I think all the people shortlisted are excellent in their own field and irrespective of who wins, everybody has won.”

Prof Zumla was born and educated in Zambia, travelling to London in 1980, where he did further training as well as travelling to America.

He works from his London base but travels the world and moved to Bolton four years ago.

He contracted meningitis soon after arriving in London, was in a coma for three weeks and spent 18 months recovering after being paralysed from the neck down.

His career which spans more than 30 years, has focused on highlighting the plight of those who suffer from HIV, AIDS and TB, and looking at treatments, tests and vaccines.

Prof Zumla is married to Farzana, aged 46, and they have two children, Adam, aged 16, who attends Bolton School, and Adeela, aged 24, who works in Cambridge.

All the BMJ Group Award winners are chosen by expert panels, except for the lifetime achievement award, which is voted for by the public.

Voting is now open at bmj.com, with a deadline of Monday, February 15. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on March 10.

cherry.thomas@theboltonnews.co.uk