WHO Director-General announces Global Health Leaders Awards

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will present two Lifetime Achievement Awards in recognition of outstanding contributions to advancing global health during the high-level opening of the Seventy-sixth World Health Assembly.

The Global Leaders Awards, established in 2019, will go to Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum and Peter Piot. Both recipients are distinguished scientists and public health leaders who were closely involved in the discovery of the Ebola virus disease before advancing to leadership positions in global health. The award honors their lifetime achievements in public health.

Professor Muyembe-Tamfum from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was recognized for his innovation, leadership and ground-breaking contributions to the management and treatment of diseases such as Ebola virus disease. He has played a key role in improving health outcomes in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the African region and the global community. Professor Muyembe-Tamfum is the Director-General of the DRC’s National Biomedical Research Institute in Kinshasa, Full Professor of Microbiology at the University of Kinshasa School of Medicine and the inaugural President of the Congolese Academy of Sciences.

Professor Muyembe-Tamfum was part of the team that discovered Zaïre ebolavirus during the first recorded outbreak in 1976, in Equateur province, central DRC. He later helped develop one of the first effective treatments against the virus and introduced vaccines against the Ebola virus. He worked tirelessly to build the scientific capacity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, establishing numerous research institutions in the country, and played a key role with the WHO in the fight against infectious diseases.

Professor Piot from Belgium was recognized for his outstanding leadership in responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and other significant global health challenges. He has played a key role in launching major global health initiatives such as UNAIDS, the Global Fund and others that have improved health outcomes around the world. Under his leadership, UNAIDS became the main advocate of global action against AIDS, also spearheading UN reform by bringing together 10 different UN organizations.

Professor Piot also participated in the earlier discovery of the Ebola virus and the containment of the first known epidemic, participating in field epidemiological research.

He has chaired a number of high-level initiatives, held numerous high-level advisory roles, including on COVID-19, and received multiple awards.

Professor Piot is a special adviser to the President of the EC, professor of global health and former director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

“These extraordinary individuals embody lifelong commitment, relentless advocacy, commitment to equality and selfless service to humanity and people’s health,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “At a time of many emergencies, health crises and conflicts, we recognize that leadership in public health and science is more important than ever to advance global health. Our honorees today personify that passion.”

“Their shared stories and successes show how far the world has come in terms of collaboration at the global, regional and national levels to strengthen preparedness, response and resilience to health emergencies. These outstanding scientists will continue to inspire us every day,” he added

The award ceremony is part of the high-level opening of the 76th World Health Assembly on Sunday, May 21, 2023 in Geneva.