The recognition of scientists and public health experts is an important gesture of the World Health Organization (WHO), which highlights their contribution to global health. This year, during the 76th World Health Assembly, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of WHO, will present two prizes to Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum from the DRC and Peter Piot from Belgium.
Professor Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum, Director General of the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) in Kinshasa, was recognized for his innovative work, his inspiring contributions and his leadership in the management and treatment of diseases, in particular Ebola virus disease. His participation in the discovery of the Ebola Zaire virus in 1976 in Equateur province, northern DRC and his role in the design of one of the first effective treatments against the virus, as well as the deployment of experimental vaccines against Ebola, have improved health outcomes in the DRC, in the African region and in the global community.
Professor Peter Piot of Belgium, meanwhile, is being recognized for his extraordinary leadership in responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and other significant global health challenges. As Executive Director of UNAIDS, he led UN reform by bringing together ten different UN organizations to make UNAIDS the main advocate for the global response to AIDS. He also played a key role in launching major global health initiatives, including the Global Fund.
WHO established the Director-General’s Global Leaders Award in 2019, to recognize scientists and public health leaders who were instrumental in the discovery of Ebola virus disease and who rose to positions leadership in global health.
These awards are a testament to the importance of collaboration and commitment by scientists and public health experts to address global health challenges. Their work is essential to improving the lives of people around the world and to advancing health research.