Racial Inequalities in UK Healthcare

Meet the speakers

Prof. Habib Naqvi MBE is the Chief Executive of the NHS Race and Health Observatory. Previously he worked at the Department of Health and Social Care, where he acted as the Policy Lead on the development of the Equality Delivery System. He also has experience in academia, having been awarded the title of Honorary Visiting Professor of Health Equity at the Queen’s Institute for Medicine, University of Bolton. Recently, he co-chaired the Advisory Board for the UCL Institute of Health Equity’s report titled Structural Racism, Ethnicity and Health Inequalities in London. 

Dr. Ramya Sheni is a Local Growth Policy & Senior Analysis Adviser with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Prior to her current role, Dr. Sheni was a Research Manager with ClearView Research where, in partnership with the Black Equity Organisation, she co-authored two reports highlighting the Black experience with racism in Britain: Brick Wall After Brick Wall and Systemic Change Required. Her work focuses on marginalised communities, spotlighting Black voices and women’s voices. 

Ashitha Nagesh is an award-winning BBC News senior journalist and digital reporter, who has served as the BBC News Community Affairs Correspondent for the past two years. She also volunteers as a Senior Fellow with the John Schofield Trust, mentoring young journalists from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. Ashitha’s reporting has covered numerous issues faced by ethnic minority communities, expanding the reach of these communities’ stories. In particular, she reported on the ethnic minority experience during the Covid-19 pandemic and within the NHS workforce. 

Chair: Dr. Devina Maru is a GP in Islington and the Clinical Academic lead for MBBS Year 1&2 Primary Care. She is also the UCL Co-Deputy Director Medical Education (Primary Care), Department of Primary Care & Population Health.