Diabetes experts listed as top ethnic minority health leaders in England

A Leicester-based professor known as ‘Mr South Asian diabetes’ and the National Specialty Advisor, Diabetes with NHS England have been named as two of England’s most prominent individuals from an ethnic minority background making a profound difference in the NHS.

Professor Kamlesh Khunti CBE and Professor Partha Kar OBE have been listed in the Health Service Journal’s (HSJ) top 50 most influential Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in health list.

The list highlights some of the country’s leading professionals from minority groups who are set to exercise the most influence in health policy over the next 12 months, with the NHS Confederation Chair, Lord Victor Adebowale and NHS England’s Dr Vin Diwakar finishing in the top 10.

Professor Khunti is a Professor of Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine at the University of Leicester and the Co-Director of the Leicester Diabetes Centre (LDC) – an international centre answering the global challenge of type 2 diabetes and long-term conditions through world-leading research, education and innovation.

Alongside his academic roles, Professor Khunti is also the Director of the Leicester-based Centre for Ethnic Health Research, where he has contributed significantly to improving the health of the ethnic minority community. He was one of the very first to spot the disproportional impact of COVID-19 on people from ethnic minorities.

Professor Khunti is also the Director of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East Midlands. NIHR ARC East Midlands funds vital work to tackle the region’s health and care priorities by speeding up the adoption of research onto the frontline of health and social care. The organisation puts in place evidence-based innovations which seek to drive up standards of care and save time and money.

He said: “Being recognised as one of England’s top individuals from an ethnic minority background is a tremendous honour.

“It reaffirms the importance of diversity in healthcare and underscores the progress our research group has made in our national work in championing equitable and inclusive healthcare systems.”

Professor Kar is the National Specialty Advisor, Diabetes with NHS England and co-author of the national Diabetes GIRFT report.

He has been a Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust since 2008 – and is a pioneer of the Super Six Diabetes Model, which is recognised as one of the good examples of integrated care.

He has helped to expand use of technology in type 1 diabetes – namely use of Flash Glucose in Type 1 Diabetes and CGM in Type 1 Diabetes pregnancy along with online digital self-management platforms – while leading on real world data collection on Closed Loops for subsequent NICE review.

He has worked subsequently with NICE on updating relevant guidelines in non-invasive glucose monitoring access in type 1 and type 2 Diabetes.

The HSJ list celebrates the exceptional talent that exists in the Black, Asian and minority ethnic community.

To access the list, click here.