Vision
the promotion of efficient and sustainable policies for improved global health systems worldwide.
the promotion of efficient and sustainable policies for improved global health systems worldwide.
UNITE is a global network of parliamentarians committed towards the promotion of efficient and sustainable policies for improved global health systems worldwide, in alignment with the UN SDGs.
INSPIRE, CONNECT, EMPOWER! We reject all forms of violation of human rights, stigma, and discrimination.
Considering the current global health crisis and consequences it has triggered around the world, UNITE’s activity follows a matrixed approach to global health, working with parliamentarians and partners to accelerate action taken with a focus on three cross-cutting priority areas:
UNITE is committed to support parliamentarians’ work at the global, regional, and national level, to make sure no life is limited by infectious diseases and to promote efficient and sustainable policies for improved global health systems worldwide.
UNITE’s ambition of influencing and promoting global health policies is mainly manifested in the work developed by its policy desks, where UNITE’s theory of change is directly applied in a day-to-day basis. In collaboration with strategic partners, UNITE’s policy desks are a hub of exchange between champion parliamentarians and civil society organizations advocating for policy reform where windows of opportunity open. The policy desks provide policy making guidance and/or directives on how to concretely impact and improve a specific area of policy.
Founder & President of UNITE
Dear Members and Stakeholders,
As we entered a decisive year for global health, I want to express my deep appreciation for your continued dedication to our shared mission. Across the world, health systems remain under pressure, multilateral consensus is being tested, and inequalities persist — yet the resolve of those committed to advancing health equity has never been stronger.
In this complex environment, the need for bold political leadership has never been more urgent. Parliamentarians — as advocates, legislators, and leaders — are uniquely positioned to drive lasting health reforms, ensure accountability, and protect those in most vulnerable conditions. Now, more than ever, global health needs parliamentarians.
At UNITE, we are responding with renewed purpose. In the past and over the upcoming months, we will be defining our 2026–2030 strategy, upscaling our Secretariat, and reinforcing the foundations of our network to be more agile, responsive, and impactful. This transformation will ensure we are equipped to meet the evolving challenges and demands of the global health agenda — from the need to continue pandemic preparedness to non-communicable diseases, from digital health to HIV, TB, malaria and other infectious diseases, from antimicrobial resistance to climate health.
We look forward to gathering again at the UNITE events, including at our flagship, the ‘UNITE Global Summit’ which will be taking place in early 2026, and for the first time outside of the European region. It will be a key moment to reconnect, strategise, and reaffirm the role of political leadership in shaping the future of health and reflect upon Regional Capabilities and autonomy.
Thank you for being part of this mission. Together, we are stronger — and together, we will continue to fight for the health and dignity for all.
For the sick. For the healthy. For all those whom parliamentarians represent. It’s time to UNITE.
Dr. Ricardo Baptista Leite
Founder & President
UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health
Dr. Ricardo Baptista Leite is the Founder and President of UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health, a network of +500 current and former policymakers from +110 countries.
He is a Portuguese-Canadian medical doctor trained in infectious diseases with extensive experience in global health, health systems and science-based policymaking. Prior to his current role as CEO at ‘HealthAI – The Global Agency for Responsible AI in Health’, Dr. Ricardo served four terms as a Member of Parliament in Portugal on both health and foreign affairs committees (2011-2023). Ricardo is a former city councilor of Sintra and previously served as Deputy Mayor of Cascais.
With more than 15 years of academic experience, he is Chair of the Board of the ‘Global Health Policy Lab’, a collaborative between Harvard University and Charité University, based in Berlin, focused on using GenAI for policy development. He is also Chair of the ‘Centre for Global Health’ at NOVA University Information Management and Data Science School in Lisbon.
Dr. Ricardo was the first Portuguese citizen to be appointed by the Obama Foundation as an ‘Obama Leader 2024-2025’.
The UK Government has appointed Dr. Ricardo Baptista Leite as a member of new National Commission on Regulation of AI in Healthcare.
He also coordinates the Centre of Competences in Health, Biotechnology and Health Sciences of the Portuguese Diaspora Council.
He completed postgraduate studies at Johns Hopkins University, Harvard Kennedy School of Government and Harvard Medical School. Previously, Dr Baptista Leite worked as a practising physician in the Portuguese National Health Service for several years, including an internship at the World Health Organization, and advisory services in health tech development.
He served as a medical volunteer both during the COVID pandemic in his hometown hospital in Portugal for over a year and as part of a humanitarian mission at the Lviv Regional Hospital in Ukraine during the first summer after the beginning of the war.
Guilherme is UNITE’s Executive Director, a medical doctor with a specialization in Public Health. He has gained significant experience in Diplomacy, Policymaking, and Global Health, having served as a Diplomat in Geneva overseeing health affairs for the Portuguese Government, including during its EU Council Presidency. He has previously worked in the Cabinet of Government, consulted for WHO in LMICs, completed the ECDC Fellowship Programme in Field Epidemiology, and managed various health emergencies at local, national, and international levels. Additionally, Guilherme collaborates with various faculties and public health schools. He is passionate about global health, health systems governance, and emerging challenges like population and environmental changes and their impacts, economic sustainability, and Universal Health Coverage. These challenges sparked his growing interest in management, leading him to pursue an executive MBA, which he is currently completing at Maastricht University. Outside of work, Guilherme is married and has just welcomed his first children — twins, a baby boy and girl. He was already a happy dog parent to a lofty flat-coated retriever named Toki. He enjoys running with music, playing team sports, and occasionally video gaming. When time allows, he also enjoys scuba diving. His favourite way to unwind is by cooking dinner for friends.
Guilherme is UNITE’s Executive Director, a medical doctor with a specialization in Public Health. He has gained significant experience in Diplomacy, Policymaking, and Global Health, having served as a Diplomat in Geneva overseeing health affairs for the Portuguese Government, including during its EU Council Presidency. He has previously worked in the Cabinet of Government, consulted for WHO in LMICs, completed the ECDC Fellowship Programme in Field Epidemiology, and managed various health emergencies at local, national, and international levels. Additionally, Guilherme collaborates with various faculties and public health schools. He is passionate about global health, health systems governance, and emerging challenges like population and environmental changes and their impacts, economic sustainability, and Universal Health Coverage. These challenges sparked his growing interest in management, leading him to pursue an executive MBA, which he is currently completing at Maastricht University. Outside of work, Guilherme is married and has just welcomed his first children — twins, a baby boy and girl. He was already a happy dog parent to a lofty flat-coated retriever named Toki. He enjoys running with music, playing team sports, and occasionally video gaming. When time allows, he also enjoys scuba diving. His favourite way to unwind is by cooking dinner for friends.
Joana is currently the Head of Partnerships at UNITE, where she plays a key role in fostering impactful collaborations with parliamentarians around the world. She holds a Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Lisbon and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Political Science at ISCTE-IUL, aiming to further strengthen her work at the intersection of health and policy.
Prior to joining UNITE, Joana worked in Regulatory Affairs Study Start-Up (RASSU), focusing on clinical trials and observational studies. Since joining UNITE, she has successfully led two editions of the organization’s flagship event – the UNITE Global Summit – and has taken on increasing responsibilities in partnerships and project management. Her work centers on creating dynamic engagement opportunities within the parliamentary network to advance global health agendas.
Joana brings valuable experience from her involvement in both national and international student-led organizations, where she actively promoted and advocated for global health issues. She has successfully translated this advocacy background into her current role in an international NGO setting.
An avid solo traveller, Joana is passionate about discovering new cultures and perspectives – an experience that mirrors her work at UNITE in building connections across borders.
Joana is currently the Head of Partnerships at UNITE, where she plays a key role in fostering impactful collaborations with parliamentarians around the world. She holds a Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Lisbon and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Political Science at ISCTE-IUL, aiming to further strengthen her work at the intersection of health and policy.
Prior to joining UNITE, Joana worked in Regulatory Affairs Study Start-Up (RASSU), focusing on clinical trials and observational studies. Since joining UNITE, she has successfully led two editions of the organization’s flagship event – the UNITE Global Summit – and has taken on increasing responsibilities in partnerships and project management. Her work centers on creating dynamic engagement opportunities within the parliamentary network to advance global health agendas.
Joana brings valuable experience from her involvement in both national and international student-led organizations, where she actively promoted and advocated for global health issues. She has successfully translated this advocacy background into her current role in an international NGO setting.
An avid solo traveller, Joana is passionate about discovering new cultures and perspectives – an experience that mirrors her work at UNITE in building connections across borders.
Giulia is a Global Health Officer at UNITE, where she draws on extensive experience across European policy and institutions. She holds Master’s degrees in Public Policy and International Relations and in European History, and is completing a PhD in Transnational Governance at the Scuola Normale Superiore, where her research focuses on gender equality in the post-pandemic recovery in Europe.
Giulia has a deep understanding of the EU sphere, gained from both sides of the policy world. At the institutional level, she has worked at the European Commission and the Italian Permanent Representation to the EU. In the private sector, she worked at a Brussels-based consultancy specialising in rare diseases and Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), and at the European Social Observatory, a research centre working on EU social policy. In her work for UNITE, Giulia leverages this blend of direct and research-based insight into EU institutional dynamics to engage with European institutions and decision-makers.
The eldest of five, Giulia developed her instinct for diplomacy and negotiation early. She loves baked goods, spicy food, and oolong tea.Giulia is a Global Health Officer at UNITE, where she draws on extensive experience across European policy and institutions. She holds Master’s degrees in Public Policy and International Relations and in European History, and is completing a PhD in Transnational Governance at the Scuola Normale Superiore, where her research focuses on gender equality in the post-pandemic recovery in Europe.
Giulia has a deep understanding of the EU sphere, gained from both sides of the policy world. At the institutional level, she has worked at the European Commission and the Italian Permanent Representation to the EU. In the private sector, she worked at a Brussels-based consultancy specialising in rare diseases and Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), and at the European Social Observatory, a research centre working on EU social policy. In her work for UNITE, Giulia leverages this blend of direct and research-based insight into EU institutional dynamics to engage with European institutions and decision-makers.
The eldest of five, Giulia developed her instinct for diplomacy and negotiation early. She loves baked goods, spicy food, and oolong tea.Mahi Ramakrishnan is a public policy specialist whose work sits at the intersection of forced migration, gender, human rights, and security in Southeast Asia. Over three decades, she has engaged parliamentarians, government stakeholders, and regional institutions on issues ranging from refugee protection and human trafficking to migration governance and violent-extremism.
Over the past three years, Mahi has focused extensively on conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) in Myanmar, working with lawmakers and civil society actors to advocate for ASEAN recognition of CRSV as a regional policy priority. Her efforts have included promoting monitoring and accountability mechanisms within Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs), strengthening survivor-centred reporting pathways, and advancing policy dialogue on protection and redress.
As an investigative filmmaker, she has produced documentaries on trafficking, people smuggling, and the commercial sexual exploitation of children in Malaysia. Mahi is also a poet and the author of a body of work that reimagine the Hindu goddess Kali as a political and feral figure through which she explores power, resistance, displacement, and justice.
Mahi Ramakrishnan is a public policy specialist whose work sits at the intersection of forced migration, gender, human rights, and security in Southeast Asia. Over three decades, she has engaged parliamentarians, government stakeholders, and regional institutions on issues ranging from refugee protection and human trafficking to migration governance and violent-extremism.
Over the past three years, Mahi has focused extensively on conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) in Myanmar, working with lawmakers and civil society actors to advocate for ASEAN recognition of CRSV as a regional policy priority. Her efforts have included promoting monitoring and accountability mechanisms within Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs), strengthening survivor-centred reporting pathways, and advancing policy dialogue on protection and redress.
As an investigative filmmaker, she has produced documentaries on trafficking, people smuggling, and the commercial sexual exploitation of children in Malaysia. Mahi is also a poet and the author of a body of work that reimagine the Hindu goddess Kali as a political and feral figure through which she explores power, resistance, displacement, and justice.
Increased, coordinated and sustained long-term investment in HIV research, development, and innovation, including towards the development of a globally effective HIV vaccine, must be a global health priority. Continued investment in HIV will allow for major strides in the vaccine field at large, for other infectious diseases, as it did for COVID.
join us in bulding a generation of political leaders in Global Health
UNITE has been a driving force in fostering collaboration among parliamentarians, and with a wide range of partners, from non-governmental, to public and private actors, in global health and beyond.
By building cross-sector alliances, UNITE bridges the gap between evidence-based research, policy, and on-the-ground action, helping translate data into effective development strategies.
Together, we strengthen parliamentarians’ capacity to address pressing global health challenges, ensuring that legislation reflects diverse perspectives and responds to real-world needs.
Dr. Ricardo Baptista Leite and Dr. Jarbas Barbosa sign a Framework Agreement between UNITE and PAHO at UNGA80
access a powerful platform to enhance your organisation’s profile among key political leaders, positioning you as a vital actor driving solutions to today’s most pressing global health challenges
partnering with UNITE demonstrates a long-term commitment to driving systemic change — creating lasting shifts in how health is understood, valued, and prioritised in political decision-making
UNITE is a non-profit, non-partisan, global network of more than 550 current and former members of parliament from multinational, national, state, and regional Parliaments, Congresses, and Senates, spread in more than 120 countries, committed towards improving health systems worldwide by promoting efficient and sustainable policies in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Our global, non-partisan network of parliamentarians is divided into 10 Regional Chapters, each chaired by a parliamentarian leading activity in that geography. The UNITE Global Board provides governance for the organization and consists of founder Hon. Ricardo Baptista Leite, and Chapter Chairs for Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Western & Central Europe, Asia & Pacific, India, Middle East & Northern Africa, Latin American & the Caribbean, Eastern & Southern Africa, and Western & Central Africa.
The UNITE network was founded in 2017 by Hon. Ricardo Baptista Leite, MD, under the auspices of the UNAIDS Foundation. Hon. Ricardo Baptista Leite was both a member of parliament and a trained infectious disease physician.
Hon. Ricardo Baptista Leite believes that active political advocacy could help bring about the end of infectious diseases by 2030. This led him to create the UNITE network, which is now co-lead with seven global board members. Since then, the network has grown to more than 550 current and former members of parliament from multinational, national, state, and regional Parliaments, Congresses, and Senates, from more than 120 countries.
UNITE is a not-for-profit organization and does not accept funding from industry sources. UNITE’s funding comes from philanthropic sources and partnerships with other not-for-profit organizations. Find out more about our partners here.
The global board of UNITE consists of founder Hon. Ricardo Baptista Leite, MD, and Regional Chapter Chairs. The names and titles of the Secretariat and Chapter Chairs are included below:
Founder & President:
Regional Chapter Chairs:
UNITE’s network is unique as it encompasses more than 550 members of UNITE MP Network from more than 120 countries and is constantly expanding through new members who represent new geographies. Our network facilitates high-level networking and communication through a peer-to-peer approach, that is driven by our PRIME strategy. PRIME enables us to have tangible political impact through our work. Also, UNITE’s policy priorities focus on three cross-cutting areas, namely, human rights and equitable access to health, health systems strengthening, and global health architecture and security, placing UNITE as the only network of parliamentarians from around the world currently focusing on the global health agenda.
UNITE will achieve its goals through the implementation of its PRIME strategy:
The PRIME strategy ensures that UNITE’s focus continues to remain on creating tangible impact through active political intervention. UNITE’s governance model underpins the PRIME strategy, ensuring global alignment, co-ordination and consistency across all activities.
UNITE’s ambition of influencing and promoting global health policies is mainly manifested in the work developed by its policy desks, where UNITE’s theory of change is directly applied on a day-to-day basis. In collaboration with strategic partners, UNITE’s policy desks are a hub of exchange between champion parliamentarians and civil society organizations advocating for policy reform where windows of opportunity arise. The policy desks provide policy making guidance and/or directives on how to concretely impact and improve a specific area of policy. A secondary ambition is to expand regionally, recruiting chairs for unrepresented geographies and regional coordinators to support activity programs in these regions.
Success for UNITE is:
