(C) World Health Organization This story was originally published by World Health Organization and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Eight public health champions celebrated at the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly [1] [] Date: 2024-06 At an award ceremony taking place during a Plenary of the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly in Geneva on Friday, 31 May 2024, public health prizes and awards were presented to persons and institutions from around the world for their outstanding contributions to public health. The eight 2024 laureates received their awards from the Health Assembly President, Dr Edwin Dikoloti of Botswana, together with high-level representatives of the foundations that established these public health awards and prizes, and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. The Executive Board of the World Health Organization had decided in January 2024 to distinguish eight laureates to celebrate their unique role for public health in their countries and globally. They come from four WHO Regions: Africa, the Eastern-Mediterranean, South-East Asia and the Western Pacific. The WHO Director-General said: “six of the eight awards this year will be presented to women, either for their individual achievements, or for their leadership of the institutions that will be recognized”. Dr LEE Jong-wook Memorial Prize for Public Health Vaccines for all: Dr Bader Al-Rawahi from Oman is the 2024 winner of the Dr LEE Jong-wook Memorial Prize for Public Health Dr Al-Rawahi (second from left) in the field during a national measles campaign in 2017. The photo also features senior public health staff from the Ministry of Health of Oman, as well as several non-Omani nationals. © Ministry of Health, Oman Dr Bader Al-Rawahi leads a major public health programme as Director of Communicable Diseases and Control, and Manager of the Expanded Programme of Immunization, at the Ministry of Health of Oman. Dr Al-Rawahi has played a key role in providing communities with a highly performing immunization programme, with a focus on leaving no one behind, including migrants, displaced populations and underprivileged persons. He also supports other countries in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, advising and assisting immunization programmes in countries of experiencing civil unrest. As an expert on international public health committees, he has supported vaccines product development. “Dr Bader has been a pioneer in scientific, programmatic and policy initiatives to provide vaccines to Oman communities,” said Dr Il-Soo Ha, President of the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare, when presenting the award. “He has assisted healthcare programmes in neighbouring countries suffering from war and also served as an expert for various international public health organizations. His outstanding contributions warrant this prestigious award, which values dedication to public health and health equity.” When accepting the prize, Dr Bader said, “I have witnessed first-hand the profound impact that equitable access to healthcare can have on the lives of individuals and society. This includes, for instance, ensuring access by populations to essential vaccines in most countries of the world, free diagnosis and treatment of many infectious diseases and access by pregnant women to high-quality services. I am proud of the achievements we have made together – our country obtained the certification of measles and rubella elimination in 2016 and the certification of the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis in 2022, ranking first in the world in terms of effective administration of vaccines with 99% coverage. I look forward to continuing to work together in our journey towards a better and brighter future for achieving health equity for all.” Sasakawa Health Prize Successful programmes mean engaging and empowering communities: Dr Doreen Ramogola-Masire from Botswana is the 2024 winner of the Sasakawa Health Prize Ramogola-Masire in appreciation of her outstanding merits in cervical cancer prevention in Botswana. In the picture from left to right: Dr Christian Schauser, President of AGO, Dr Doreen Ramogola-Masire, Dr Paul Sevelda, President Austrian Cancer Aid Society. Salzburg, Austria, 2020. © AGO As Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Botswana, Dr Doreen Ramogola-Masire has played a leading role in developing and implementing the first National Cervical Cancer Prevention Strategy. Her work initially focused on screening and early treatment of precancerous lesions caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and then expanded, with HPV vaccination starting in 2015. Her innovative work in training nurses and medical officers to carry out cervical cancer screening, and on treatment procedures using telemedicine as a quality assurance tool, helped the country to implement its cervical cancer prevention programme despite an insufficient number of trained gynaecologists. Dr Masire’s involvement of community and traditional leaders in the preparation for the programme’s launch is expected to be an important success factor. When presenting the prize, Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, said, “Dr Masire has been unanimously selected for her role in the development and implementation of Botswana’s prevention of cervical cancer strategy involving the entire community and traditional leaders. We highly honour how the work of Dr Masire is the embodiment of primary healthcare through her invaluable and versatile activities.” When accepting the prize, Dr Ramogola-Masire said, “The development of the whole value chain of excellent healthcare requires equitable and inclusive legislative laws and policies which provide for a functioning healthcare system with sustainable financing, coupled with adequate and fit for purpose manpower and leadership. This award has strengthened my resolve to continue working to improve the lives of my countrymen and create new knowledge that will benefit mankind. “ United Arab Emirates Health Foundation Prize Improved mortality data result in better health care: The National Death Registry System of the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia won the 2024 United Arab Emirates Health Foundation Prize Forensic Medical Services Center operations room. © FMSC Recognizing the need to adapt to a continuing digital transformation, Saudi Arabia prioritized the digitization and automation of its mortality data registry. As a result, a dynamic, regularly updated electronic death registry facilitates access to the data and ensures transparency and integration with multiple national agencies. Stakeholders and communities within the system provide feedback continuously. Training registrars, doctors and coders has significantly improved data quality within the birth and death registration systems – the foundation of national health policies and systems for primary health care and leaving no one behind. The system can serve as a model for other countries. When presenting the prize, Dr Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Sector, Ministry of Health and Prevention of the United Arab Emirates, said, “The United Arab Emirates Health Foundation Prize is intended to serve as an incentive for health workers, including scientists, researchers, and specialists, to make more achievements that benefit the different areas of the health industry. It is a contribution, in partnership with the United Nations system in general, and the World Health Organization in particular, to implementing projects and programmes aimed at providing healthcare to everyone around the world. This system, which operates through the Ministry of Health, is among the successful systems that contribute to the formulation and implementation of the national policy and strategy to provide health services for all successfully, by saving time and effort in registering deaths electronically, which increases the efficiency and management of health systems within the primary health care framework.” When accepting the prize on behalf of the National Death Registry System, Dr Maram Al-Otaiby, President and CEO of Health Support Services Center, said, “I am immensely proud of our dedicated team, whose commitment was instrumental in achieving this milestone. Our Kingdom has been at the forefront of monumental advancements in healthcare. The Health Sector Transformation Program has served as a catalyst for remarkable innovations, aligning seamlessly with the strategic plans of the WHO. Today, we celebrate an achievement that will contribute to increasing life expectancy, reducing non-communicable diseases and traffic accident mortality rates, ultimately strengthening our public health planning and policy formulation. This transcends beyond national boundaries and reflects a shared vision of enhancing healthcare systems everywhere.” Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Prize for Research in Health Care for the Elderly and in Health Promotion A centre of excellence and innovation and primary health care champion were awarded with the 2024 Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Prize for Research in Health Care for the Elderly and in Health Promotion When presenting the prize, HE Mr Naser Alhayen, Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, said, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the winners of the Prize for 2024, for their outstanding achievements in improving care for the elderly and in recognition of their serious action and remarkable contributions in this field. I wish them further progress and achievements in their endeavours in gratitude to the elderly and in furtherance of their legitimate rights to health care. I hope that this Prize will serve as an incentive for more innovation and contributions to promote global solidarity to safeguard the rights of the elderly to health care. Sincere thanks to the staff of the Secretariat of the World Health Organization under the leadership of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General, for their efforts and support to the Prize during its various stages as part of the WHO high-impact programmes and initiatives.” Protect and improve the health of 267 million older persons: The Chinese Geriatrics Society of China were awarded with the 2024 Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Prize for Research in Health Care for the Elderly and in Health Promotion Professor Li Fan (second doctor from right) during a free clinic and assessment for the elderly. © Chinese Geriatric Society The Chinese Geriatrics Society is a nongovernmental organization conducting programmes central to healthy ageing through a comprehensive approach that includes geriatric assessment, clinical treatment, nutritional support, rehabilitation and palliative care. It carries out innovative research on multimorbidity in older age, and develops guidance and care models to support person-centred and integrated health services. As a result, local care standards on managing polypharmacy and hypertension among older persons with multiple diseases are applied nationwide, with training programmes reaching a range of personnel, including 4000 caregivers of older persons and over 140 000 geriatric physicians, enabling them to upgrade their skills. The Society has also pioneered standards for age-friendly hospitals, which 90% of health care institutions in Beijing are now meeting. The Society also facilitates collaboration between academia, research and industry. When accepting the prize, Dr Feng Cao, from the Chinese Geriatric Society said, “In promoting our country’s "Healthy China Initiative", our society warmly embraces the concepts and principles of healthy ageing advocated by the World Health Organization. We are committed to advancing research and innovation in geriatrics, conducting extensive health promotion and communications for the elderly, and providing elderly-friendly services. We look forward to enhancing exchanges and cooperation with our international counterparts in the fields of geriatrics, gerontological care, elderly-oriented services, and smart senior care in the future. May we join hands to improve the health and well-being of elder citizens around the world.” Integrating elderly care within primary health care: Dr Ahmed Hamed Saif Al Wahaibi from Oman were awarded with the 2024 Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Prize for Research in Health Care for the Elderly and in Health Promotion Dr Ahmed Hamed Al Wahaibi (centre) during a ceremony where he was honoured by His Excellency Al-Sayyid Saud bin Hilal Al Busaidi, the Governor of Muscat, for a speech he gave to the community regarding the Elderly Health Program. © Initially a family physician, Dr Ahmed Hamed Al Wahaibi now leads the Elderly Care Section in the Primary Health Care Department of the Ministry of Health and has contributed to the development of a national programme for older persons that provides screening, assessment and early interventions as part of primary health care for people aged 60 years and older. The programme aims to prevent diseases, provide continuity of care from health care settings to patients’ homes, maximize independence and enable older persons to have access to community resources. Building on this work, Dr Al Wahaibi has helped to develop an electronic health record system, which includes the assessing the findings on older persons’ health, and links these findings with the support services available. He works to strengthen the capacity of nurses to carry out these assessments and to engage local communities in the planning, management and evaluation of the primary health care services available for older people. When accepting the prize, Dr Al Wahaibi said, “This Prize is a symbol of recognition, appreciation and gratitude towards the contribution of scientists and their strenuous efforts to achieve comprehensive development in line with the values, customs, professional and humanitarian obligations and health-related goals with a view to achieving progress in the Sustainable Development Goals. I accept it not only on my own behalf but also on behalf of all health workers in the Sultanate of Oman. This Prize is a personal dream that came true today and will motivate me to continue working hard to build the capacity of health workers to serve this important part in society.” Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion A renowned scientist from Africa and a leading health institution from India jointly won the 2024 Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion When presenting the award to the two 2024 winners, Ambassador Mxolisi Nkosi, South African permanent representative to the United Nations and other organizations in Geneva, said, “We note with appreciation the important role that Professor Mbongwe has played as a passionate tobacco control activist to influence her government’s policies to protect children, youth, pregnant women and workers. We also praise the work accomplished by NIMHANS to design and implement community-driven initiatives to improve the mental health of the people. Let us again recall the words of Nelson Mandela: “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others.” May this award continue to inspire your work as well as others in the effort to follow the path to ensuring health for all and in promoting the social equity ideals that Nelson Mandela represented. Primary mental health care for communities: The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bangalore, India, received the 2024 Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion Art is one of the many approaches undertaken by NIMHANS to support and empower persons with disability and other vulnerabilities, reinforcing the importance of inclusion and human rights. © NIMHANS The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) delivers state-of-the-art clinical care, carrying out training and research while involving the communities it serves. It collaborates with central and state governments in framing, informing and implementing national policies and strategies. NIMHANS involves young people as change agents within district youth-empowerment centres to bridge the gap between young people, their families and an ever-changing society (reaching about 6 million young people). In addition, it is engaged in a national initiative for child protection, mental health and psychosocial care (reaching more than 3 million people). The Institute works as well on urban mental health as well as training and accrediting community volunteers to deliver mental health first aid: 18 000 gatekeepers have been trained to facilitate the early identification of suicide risk and to intervene. NIMHANS has initiated numerous digital technology initiatives. A national helpline for psychosocial support and mental health services was launched during the first wave of COVID-19. In 2022, the Institute established the National Tele Mental Health Programme ensuring equitable, affordable and high-quality mental health care across all Indian States. When accepting the prize, Professor Pratima Murthy, Director of NIMHANS, said, “Our claim to this award stems from our role as pioneers in community-driven initiatives. We spearheaded the District Mental Health Programme, training primary care workers, established the NIMHANS Digital Academy to bolster human resources, and have led many human rights-based initiatives to improve care for persons with mental illness. Our care spans all age groups, including initiatives for children, and life skills programmes for youth, substance use prevention and tobacco quit line services, programmes for women and for the elderly. From the psychosocial helpline during COVID-19 to guiding the establishment of the country’s Tele MANAS helpline, we have helped millions in distress. Extending impact beyond borders, we have trained healthcare providers in numerous countries across our region.” Shape policy to prioritize health over profits: Professor Bontle Mbongwe from Botswana is the winner of the 2024 Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion Professor Mbongwe (3rd from left), Dr Martins Ovberedjo, the WHO Representative to Botswana (5th from left) and the former Minister of Health (now Ambassador of Botswana in Australia) Dorcus Makgatho-Malesu (8th from left). © Anti-Tobacco Network Professor Bontle Mbongwe from Botswana is a renowned public health advocate and a passionate tobacco control activist. She has played an important role since the early days of tobacco control policies in her country in 1992, advocating to restrict smoking in public places to protect children, pregnant women and workers, to raise the minimum- age restrictions for selling tobacco products, to prohibit their sale to persons under 18 years, and then 21 years, to ban tobacco advertising and promotion and to introduce higher tobacco levies in her country. She established the first civil society Anti-Tobacco Network in Botswana and plays an important role in building a network of media and nongovernmental organizations committed to tobacco control in her home country, in Africa and beyond. Professor Mbongwe was awarded a World No Tobacco Day 2021 award and a WHO Director-General Special Recognition Award in 2021 for her distinctive leadership in anti-smoking. When accepting the prize, Professor Mbongwe said, “It never dawned on me that one day I will be standing before this Assembly to receive such a prized award. I am so grateful. Over the years my work has focused on tobacco control, promoting and advancing healthy lives and centred on changing people’s behaviour and shaping public policy to prioritize public health over profits. It is touching that this award comes on the World No Tobacco Day, with the theme “Protecting children from tobacco industry interference". Safeguarding future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco by addressing targeted marketing towards youth cannot be overemphasized. I am proud that Botswana recently won the Integrity Award for its unrelenting resistance to the influence of the tobacco industry. I call upon all countries to unapologetically embrace a pro-health strategic agenda.” Ihsan Doğramacı Family Health Foundation Prize A commitment to family health lies in the heart of primary health care: Dr Jamila Taiseer Yasser Al Abri from Oman is the 2024 winner of the Ihsan Doğramacı Family Health Foundation Prize National training workshop on maternal deaths and maternal near-miss with Professor Nynke van den Broek (Former Head of the Centre for Maternal and Newborn Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine). The photo shows H.E Dr Ahmed Al Mandhari, the Undersecretary of Planning, Ministry of Health/ Sultanate of Oman and former WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Muscat /Sultanate of Oman with a number of obstetricians, physicians and midwives from various hospitals in Oman. © Ministry of Health, Oman Dr Jamila Taiseer Yasser Al Abri is a renowned obstetrician gynaecologist in Oman with extensive experience and leadership in women’s health. She is currently the Director of the Department of Woman and Child Health in Oman. She has worked extensively in the field of family health, for combatting mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis and human papillomavirus; HIV and management of a variety of communicable diseases; maternal health, and newborn, child and adolescent health at primary care and tertiary care levels. Dr Al Abri’s leadership is exemplified in her work to teach students while managing national health programmes, including on breast cancer, mental health and autism spectrum disorders. She has played a key role in contributing to the strategic plans for women’s and children’s health as part of Oman’s long-term vision, Health Vision 2050. Dr Al Abri has helped to guide the work of various organizations and their technical committees as an adviser, for the region and beyond, for instance leading a technical assistance project to enhance social protection for health care of women in Arab States, implemented in six countries, and collaborating with WHO on the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. When presenting the prize, Professor Tomris Türmen said, “The twentieth recipient of the IDFHF Prize, Dr Abri has extensive experience in the field of maternal and child health as well as women's health and reproductive health. As a woman scientist, she has shown leadership in women's issues in the region.” When accepting the prize, Dr Al Abri said, “Maternal and child health is a fundamental pillar of family health, which reflects on the health of society. Although nearly nine years have passed since the launch of Global Strategy for Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health (2016–2030), which serves as a roadmap for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, maternal and child mortality rates in the world remain unacceptably high, while most of these deaths are preventable. This calls for all of us to make more efforts to promote the health of mothers and children, especially with the existing proven interventions. I am fully confident that this can be achieved.” ------------------------- The call for nominations of candidates for each prize is sent out each year after closure of the World Health Assembly. Nominations can be made by national health administrations of a WHO Member State and by any former recipient of the prizes. At its 154th session in January 2024, the Executive Board designated the 2024 winners of the prizes, based on proposals made by a dedicated selection panel, working independently for each prize. See more on public health prizes and awards web page. Read detailed information about the public health prizes and awards process. Full information can be found in this 76th World Health Assembly document (A76/INF./1). [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/eight-public-health-champions-celebrated-at-the-seventy-seventh-world-health-assembly Published and (C) by World Health Organization Content appears here under this condition or license: Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/who/