SPOTLIGHT: Health policy trailblazer Precious Matsoso credits patience, faith and The Beatles
Precious Matsoso tells Spotlight how, over three decades, she helped shape some of the most consequential health policy negotiations in South Africa and in global governance. She also shares memories about her Soweto childhood filled with music, science and political uprisings.
Health policy innovator Precious Matsoso credits patience, faith, and The Beatles for her remarkable journey over three decades in shaping some of the most consequential health policy negotiations in South Africa and globally. She shares memories of her Soweto childhood, brimming with music, science, and political upheavals. Leading discussions on the world's first pandemic treaty, Matsoso maintained composure during tense negotiations by singing The Beatles' "All You Need Is Love," instilling a spirit of cooperation among delegates from 194 nations in Geneva, where the World Health Organization is headquartered.
She emphasizes, "When elephants fight, the grass suffers," highlighting the plight of vulnerable patients caught in the crossfire between health sector stakeholders. After serving as co-chairperson of the International Negotiating Body for the WHO Pandemic Agreement, she recently received recognition from TIME magazine, being included in its 2026 lists of 100 Health Heroes and 100 Most Influential People.
Matsoso's advocacy focuses on ensuring equitable access to pandemic-related health products and manufacturing, a goal she emphasizes was not met during the Covid-19 pandemic. This year, her acceptance speech highlighted the pandemic agreement's mission to prevent a repeat of the devastating inequities witnessed during Covid-19.
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