The Ihsan Doğramacı Family Health Foundation Prize was presented to Dr Errol R. Alden, United States of America
A pioneer, focused on disease prevention and the promotion of child health and development, Dr Alden has been devoted to advancing the health and well-being of children in developing countries around the world. Programmes he developed and implemented have trained thousands of health care professionals and have helped to save the lives of millions of children worldwide. As President of the International Pediatric Association, Dr Alden is currently addressing two major issues affecting children globally: immunization hesitancy and displacement of children as a result of disasters.
When accepting the prize, Dr Alden said: “The pandemic has laid bare deep-rooted inequities, making the lives of refugee children much worse, threatening the families and caretakers of the children already in grave jeopardy. It makes our work all the more vital, so that these children not only survive the pandemic, but survive in a world worth living in.”
Listen to the full acceptance speech of Dr Alden here
The Ihsan Doğramacı Family Health Foundation Prize is awarded to a person or persons globally recognized for his, her or their service in the field of family health.
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The Sasakawa Health Prize was presented to Geo-RIS (Sistema Geoespacial de las Redes Integradas de Salud, (Geospacial System of Integrated Health Networks)), Ministerio de Salud, Peru
Designed in 2018, Geo-RIS promotes the reorganization of health services for primary health care. Its computer tool automates processing of demographic and geo-referenced information, providing health sector managers with information on health indicators relevant to their geographical region and enhanced public health decision-making.
When accepting the prize, Dr Gelberth John Stamp, Geo-RIS Director General, said:
“We are extremely pleased to be awarded, on behalf of all medical people working for health in Peru. Comprehensive Health Care through the life course is key to reversing many of the health problems that afflict humanity. In the midst of an emergency and a pandemic we are treating people close to where they live, proving that integrated networks are key to alleviating suffering. Even during a pandemic, we must resist and rebuild our health systems for individuals, their families, and our communities.”
Listen to the full acceptance speech of Dr John Stamp here
The Sasakawa Health Prize is awarded to persons, institutions or nongovernmental organizations having accomplished outstanding innovative work in health development, including the promotion of given health programmes or notable advances in primary health care.
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The United Arab Emirates Health Foundation Prize was presented to Ms Xi Jin, China
Ms Jin is an expert who plays a catalytic leadership role in national programmatic efforts to advance the health and development of women and children, particularly in establishing the National Centre for Women and Children’s Health. Her efforts have contributed to increased efficiency and management of health systems, within an overall framework of primary health care. She has stimulated the generation of a significant body of research related to maternal and child health, for instance, a research framework on maternal and child health institutional standards, all within a primary health care-focused system.
When accepting the prize, Ms Jin said: “Today I am not alone in accepting this award, but on behalf of my colleagues to accept this honor. There is one character in the Chinese language that refers to awareness - one on the left and one on the right, which, when put together, form a new depicting that it is better for women to be key together as key for family bliss. It shows that since ancient times, women and young children have been the foundation of a happy family. I will continue to work hard with like-minded professionals to ensure the health of mothers and children in the world.”
Listen to the full acceptance speech of Ms Jin here
The UAE Health Foundation Prize is awarded to persons, institutions or nongovernmental organizations who have made an outstanding contribution to health development.
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His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Prize for Research in Health Care for the Elderly and in Health Promotion, Kuwait, was presented to Professor Gunhild Waldemar, Denmark
A neurologist and well renown researcher in the field of health care for older adults, she has actively contributed to the advancement of health care and quality of life of people with dementia through the development and implementation of different programmes and policy related activities. Professor Waldemar has supported the development of the dementia national action plans and has headed the development and launch of various successful initiatives to alleviate lives of people with dementia.
When accepting the prize, Prof Waldemar said: “Combating inequality in access to health care, preventing infections and monitoring other health conditions are particularly important during the current COVID-19 pandemic which has demonstrated just how vulnerable people with dementia are. My work could not have been done without a range of collaborators from across the world. It goes without saying that the WHO recognition in 2012 of dementia as a public health priority and the many actions that followed have had a huge impact on the development of national strategies and on health care for people with dementia.”
Listen to the full acceptance speech of Prof Waldemar here
This Prize is awarded to persons, institutions or nongovernmental organizations who have made an outstanding contribution to research in the areas of health care for the elderly and in health promotion.
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The Dr LEE Jong-wook Memorial Prize for Public Health was presented to two winners for 2020
Dr João Aprigio Guerra de Almeida coordinates the Brazilian Network of Human Milk Banks and has been involved in promoting breastfeeding for decades. Since 1981, he has championed social mobilization to promote the use of donated human milk for infants clinically unable to be breastfed directly by their mothers. He is considered the driving force behind the largest and most complex network of human milk banks in the world - the Brazilian Network of Human Milk Banks, which has 224 human milk banks and 215 collection centres in operation throughout the country. This has led to the establishment of the Global Network of Human Milk Banks, whose membership comprises most Latin American nations as well as Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Portugal and Spain.
When accepting the prize, Dr de Almeida said: “Many people accompanied me on this journey – my family and the partners, dreamers who join forces, the countless professionals who believe in the idea. The progress made in the countries… is a recognition of the Global Network of Banks of Human Milk as a global association supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promoteing healthy life and well-being. To the newborns cared for by the Human Milk Banks and their families, as well as to women-mothers-donors of human milk, I dedicate all the honor of this moment.”
Listen to the full acceptance speech of Dr de Almeida here
The Sickle Cell Disease Consortium (United Republic of Tanzania) provides an academic and scientific environment that serves as a platform for the professional development of clinicians and scientists working to combat sickle cell disease. Dr Julie Makani is the Principal Investigator for the Sickle Cell Disease programme at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences – a programme that has demonstrated how research translates into innovative health policies and clinical practices. It also illustrates that effective global partnerships can build a critical mass of individuals and lead to significant advances in health and biomedical science in public and family health. The programme also works closely with patient and advocacy groups.
When accepting the prize, Dr Makani said: “Thank you to WHO for selecting our consortium and we salute all nominees each of whom has made an incredible contribution to the scientific public health community. Thank you as well to the Government of Tanzania who supported and included the sickle cell disease as a priority condition in the non-communicable diseases programme.”
Listen to the full acceptance speech of Dr Makani here
The Dr LEE Jong-wook Memorial Prize for Public Health is awarded to a person or persons, an institution or institutions, a governmental or nongovernmental organization or organizations, who have made an outstanding contribution to public health.
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The Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion for 2020 was presented to two winners
The Equi-Sastipen-Rroma Network (Spain) comprises 21 Sinti and Roma associations that liaise with various governmental agencies in Spain with the objective of developing health promotion interventions, fostering social inclusion and preserving Roma identity. It facilitates access to health and social services and promotes health equity in the Roma population. In addition, the Network works to increase awareness about health issues that affect the Roma population and to enable cooperation, improving trust between Roma communities and health administrations and services. The participants of the Network exchange experiences and discuss public health approaches and shared vision for health. As the networks is not a natural person or a legal entity, the award was formally awarded to the Network’s coordinating organization, the Asociación Gitana UNGA.
When accepting the prize, Mr José Antonio Jiménez said: “Appreciation and thanks to WHO for this award and this recognition. For us, the gypsies, for my people, and for myself, it is very important, as we, the Rom people, are not used to awards such as this and being laureates. I also want to thank the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Rights, since without their help we would not have been able to get to where we have arrived now to something very beautiful indeed, having reached some very positive results . With this award, WHO recognizes our great work with health ministries in countries. We are working to promote health for equal rights and improve health.”
Listen to the full acceptance speech of Mr Jimenéz here
Professor Dame Sally Davies has until recently been the Chief Medical Officer of the United Kingdom and a key advocate for health promotion nationally and globally. At the heart of her efforts lies a desire to improve the quality of health regardless of people’s financial means or location, tackling the root causes of illness through education, research and preventive action. She was pivotal in launching noncommunicable disease risk prevention strategies, and legal and fiscal measures, e.g. a nationwide sugar levy, standardized tobacco packaging, a smoking ban in cars with children as well as cross-governmental programmes to ensure access to sports and exercise facilities. She is a global leader in combating antimicrobial resistance.
When accepting the prize, Prof Davies said: “Both winners of this prestigious prize demonstrate the power of collaboration. I am particularly proud of the global progress we have made together on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) - arguably the most significant global health threat of all – a slow-growing pandemic. Our antibiotics are precious and we need to collaborate globally to preserve them. They underpin global modern medicine and we have to protect them for generations to come. I want to tell my grandchildren “we did it, we saved modern medicine”. “
Listen to the full acceptance speech of Prof Davies here
The Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion is awarded to a person or persons, an institution or institutions, a governmental or nongovernmental organization or organizations, who or which has/have made a significant contribution to health promotion.
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Did you know
Many of the prizes have been established by, or set up in memory of, an eminent health personality or an individual with a legacy in the field of health. The call for nominations of candidates for each prize is sent out each year after closure of the Health Assembly session, and nominations can be made by national health administrations of a Member State of WHO and by any former recipient of the prizes. The recipients of the prizes are designated by the Executive Board during its first annual session, on the basis of recommendations made by the selection panel for each prize.