The WHO will honour Belgian doctor and microbiologist Peter Piot and Congolese professor Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum on Sunday for their lifelong commitment to advancing global health, the UN agency said on Thursday.
The two scientists will receive the Global Health Leader Award.
“Both recipients are distinguished scientists and public health leaders who were closely involved in the discovery of Ebola virus disease, before advancing to leadership positions in global health,” WHO said in a press release. “The award honours their lifetime achievements to public health.”
The organisation also highlighted Professor Piot’s “extraordinary leadership in the response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic” as well as “the vital role” he played in the creation of the UNAIDS agency, which coordinates AIDS programmes.
“In a time of multiple emergencies, health crises and conflicts, we recognise that leadership in public health and science is more important than ever to achieve global health,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is quoted as saying in the press release. “Our awardees today personify this passion.”
The award ceremony will take place during the opening session of the 76th World Health Assembly on Sunday 21 May in Geneva, Switzerland.
