The Tobagonian actor and global activist is partnering with PIH to support the strengthening of health systems in low- and middle-income countries
global health NGO Partners In Health (PIH) announced Winston Duke has joined the organization as its first global ambassador.
Earlier this summer, Duke joined the PIH team in Rwanda to experience firsthand how the organization “brings the benefits of modern medical science to those most in need.”
He met with patients and providers; toured the Rwinkwavu and Butaro district hospital facilities, including the oxygen plant, maternity wards, and pediatrics and mental health units; and talked with students and faculty at the University of Global Health Equity campus.
“I decided to work with Partners In Health because the nonprofit is dedicated to changing health care models and making them more equitable and accessible for people all over the world,” said Duke. “In a place like Rwanda, which is full of beauty, personality, heritage, and nuanced history, but also a place of great need, I am proud to support PIH because they are fighting racism and the implicit biases that contribute to this need.”
While best known for his role as Black Panther’s Lord M’Baku, Duke is a three-time NAACP Image Award nominee and has been a long-time philanthropist and gender equity activist, supporting organizations such as HeForShe, UN Women, and Tobago Immigrant.
“It’s been a pleasure to see Winston’s relationship with PIH grow naturally over the years, first through casual conversations with a friend of a friend, then with clinicians and caregivers and patients,” said Dr. Sheila Davis, CEO of PIH. “He’s that rarest of people: a true artist and advocate. I couldn’t be happier to have him as part of the PIH family.”
Duke kicked off the partnership by moderating PIH’s #BreakTheBias, a webinar that addressed sexism in health care and touted gender equity as an integral part of global health equity. The panel featured Nevada Fertility Institute Founder and Director Dr. Cindy Duke, HeForShe Global Head Edward Wageni, and PIH Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joia Mukherjee.
“It was a great pleasure to spend time with Winston in Rwanda,” said Dr. Joel Mubiligi, executive director of Inshuti Mu Buzima, as PIH is known in the country. “He was gracious, charming, deeply thoughtful, and curious about all the complex aspects of our work like health system strengthening, social medicine, individual patient journeys, and more.”
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