The Hygiene Council is an initiative bringing together leading global experts in the field of microbiology, virology, infectious diseases, immunology, and public health.

South Africa is the only country in the world to have two members on the Hygiene Council – Professor Barry Schoub, and Dr Kgosi Letlape.

Dr Kgosi Letlape
Chairperson, South African Medical Association and President of the African Medical Association

Dr Kgosi Letlape has been the Chairman of the South African Medical Association (SAMA) since 2001 and is also the immediate past President of the World Medical Association. He was the first black ophthalmologist in South Africa and his interest in primary health care for South Africans sees him participating in various government committees and task teams.

Dr Letlape is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, and an International Member of the American Academy of Ophthalmologists.

Dr Letlape is a passionate believer in the power of hygiene – to simultaneously improve the health of many South Africans and reduce the burden of disease on the public healthcare system.

“Better hygiene guidelines, improved sanitation and clean running water would be the biggest contributors to thwarting many infectious diseases in South Africa.”

Professor Barry D Schoub
Executive Director, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg South Africa

Professor Barry Schoub is the Executive Director of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in Johannesburg. The NICD is responsible for advising the Government on its policies and actions regarding all communicable diseases. He sits on a number of international bodies and has served as an advisor for several World Health Organisation programmes. He has written for more than 230 scientific publications, has written 16 book chapters and authored the book, HIV and AIDS in Perspective, published by the Cambridge University Press and now in its second edition. 
           
Professor Schoub was the founding Chairman and President of the National Advisory Group on Immunisation of South Africa and was also the founding President of the African Virology Association. Awards he has received include the Paul Harris Award from Rotary International, and the Daubenton Prize presented by the Wits Medical Students’ Council to the most Outstanding Faculty Member.

“There is increasing scientific evidence proving how important simple hygiene practices such as hand-washing are in the prevention of many infectious diseases. This message really needs to go out urgently to anyone who cares about their health and that of their fellow human being.”