Dr. Nayab Sultan, a Canadian occupational health leader renowned for his work addressing silicosis and tuberculosis among mineworkers, has received one of the world's most prestigious recognitions in his field. The Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) in London awarded Dr. Sultan the Outstanding Contribution to the Global Development of Occupational Health 2025 at a ceremony held recently at the Royal College of Physicians in the UK.
The Society of Occupational Medicine, founded in 1935, is the UK's professional body for specialists in work and health. Its annual Occupational Health Awards recognize leading practitioners, researchers, and organizations improving worker health globally.
Dr. Sultan's groundbreaking initiatives in southern Sub-Saharan Africa have focused on tackling silicosis, silicotuberculosis, and tuberculosis (TB) among former mineworkers – a vulnerable and historically underserved population facing some of the highest rates of occupational disease globally. The SOM acknowledged that his efforts have directly impacted "a two-million-strong cohort across Eswatini and the SAMA network," drawing much-needed attention to deep-rooted health inequities in the mining sector.
In collaboration with the University of British Columbia (UBC), where Dr. Sultan is a research collaborator, he secured a CAD $600,000 research grant to pilot AI-driven early detection tools for silicosis and TB. This innovative approach offers life-saving potential for early diagnosis in resource-limited mining communities and positions Canada as a key contributor to global innovation in occupational health.
"This award is a recognition of the mineworkers and families whose voices have been ignored for far too long. Canada has a unique opportunity to lead globally — combining research excellence, ethical innovation, and our commitment to health equity. I'm proud that our work with UBC is helping build early-detection solutions that can save lives and shape fairer systems of care," Dr. Sultan stated, in receiving the award.
The global crisis of silicosis and tuberculosis among mineworkers remains a pressing issue. According to WHO/ILO estimates, silicosis deaths exceed 40,000 per year globally. Mining-exposed workers are 3-7 times more likely to develop TB, and silicotuberculosis, the convergence of silicosis and TB, has mortality rates far higher than TB alone. Former mineworkers across southern Africa are disproportionately affected due to decades of dust exposure, inadequate surveillance, and fragmented compensation systems.
While the incidence of silicosis is lower in Canada, it remains a persistent issue in mining, construction, foundries, and engineered-stone fabrication. Provinces such as BC, Ontario, and Quebec have reported rising cases among younger workers, with WorkSafeBC calling respirable silica "one of the most serious occupational exposures of our time."
Beyond his research, Dr. Sultan has been a leading advocate for improved compensation systems, access to care, and policy reform for ex-mineworkers and their families. His work has influenced regional health diplomacy and mobilized governments, NGOs, and health organizations to prioritize occupational lung diseases as a human rights issue.
Dr. Sultan's career spans global health systems, respiratory disease prevention, AI-enabled diagnostics, and health equity for marginalized workers. He has worked in more than 60 countries, supporting governments, NGOs, and global health agencies in strengthening occupational health systems and protecting vulnerable worker populations.
Dr. Sultan's achievement highlights Canada's growing role in addressing global occupational health challenges, particularly in the mining sector, and showcases the potential for innovative research to make a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable workers worldwide.
More information can be obtained at www.NayabSultan.com and www.Som.org.uk
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