From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

In a testament to his unwavering commitment to protecting the world’s most vulnerable populations, Dr Anisur Rahman Siddique of UNICEF, has been celebrated by Marquis Who’s Who, a prestigious recognition of his life’s work.With a career marked by unwavering dedication and compassion, Dr Anisur has made a lasting impact on the lives of vulnerable children and families, earning him a place among the world’s most esteemed humanitarians.

Currently serving as a Senior Advisor and Team leader for Immunization Coverage and Equity at UNICEF headquarters in New York, Dr. Anisur brings a wealth of experience and an unwavering commitment to equity in global health.Anisur Rahman was selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value.Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.Dr. Anisur Rahman has spent nearly two decades on the frontlines of global health, fighting to protect the most vulnerable—especially children—from vaccine-preventable diseases.His journey has spanned South Asia, Africa, and beyond, shaping immunization strategies, strengthening health systems, and saving millions of lives. For Dr. Anis, this work is not just a profession—it is a calling.From the crowded streets of India to the most remote villages of Africa, his leadership has ensured faster, more equitable distribution of childhood vaccines and, most recently, COVID-19 immunization efforts.His impact extends to preventing the spread of major communicable diseases, including polio, neonatal tetanus, Lassa fever, yellow fever, cerebrospinal meningitis, and monkeypox—threats that could have escalated into national and international crises without timely intervention.Dr. Anisur’s path to public health was unexpected. A graduate of Sylhet Medical College in Bangladesh, he once envisioned himself as a surgeon. But fate had other plans.Witnessing firsthand the devastating effects of vaccine-preventable diseases, he felt a deeper purpose: to protect entire communities, not just individuals.This mission led him to the World Health Organization (WHO), where he played a critical role in Bangladesh and India’s polio eradication efforts. His ability to navigate complex health systems and mobilize communities made him an indispensable leader.In 2007, Dr. Anisur joined UNICEF India, where he managed a social mobilization network of 7,000 community workers—an effort instrumental in eliminating polio from Southeast Asia.In 2016, he took on an even greater challenge in Nigeria, revitalizing the country’s polio program.Against formidable obstacles, his leadership helped Nigeria achieve polio-free status in 2018, paving the way for Africa’s certification as polio-free in 2020—one of the most significant public health achievements in modern history.Dr Anisur’s impact on global health extends well beyond polio eradication.As a leader in immunization equity, he has spearheaded efforts to deliver life-saving vaccines to some of the world’s most underserved populations across Africa, Asia, and South America, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings.His unwavering commitment has ensured that even in the face of crises, children continue to receive essential immunizations.At UNICEF, he leads a dedicated team focused on reaching the most marginalized communities—those who have been entirely missed by immunization programs—through the Zero-Dose initiative, with a strong emphasis on gender equity.His dedication has earned him numerous accolades, including the Paul Harris Fellow Award and special recognition from the Nigerian government. Yet, for Dr. Anisur, the greatest reward is the knowledge that children will grow up healthy and free from preventable diseases because of his work.Beyond public health, Dr. Anisur has another passion—poetry. A professional reciter, he finds solace and expression in the rhythm of words, much like he finds purpose in the rhythm of change.His commitment to humanitarian work is mirrored in his family. His spouse, a gynecologist, shares his passion for medicine, and his children stand by his mission to heal, protect, and serve.With every child vaccinated, every community strengthened, and every life saved, Anis’ journey continues. His story is not just one of achievements, but of deep and relentless commitment to humanity itself.