WHO research programme on tropical diseases wins award
Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), based at WHO headquarters in Geneva and co-sponsored by UNICEF, UNDP, the World Bank and WHO, has won the 2011 Gates Award for Global Health, the WHO said in a statement released here Friday.
It said the world's largest public health prize was presented to programme Director Dr Robert Ridley at a ceremony in Washington, DC on Thursday evening.
"This award represents the culmination of 36 years of history," the statement quoted Dr Ridley as saying while accepting the award. "Researchers from all over the world have worked with us to find improved health solutions for people in poor countries. The long-term commitments from our donors have led to major progress against many infectious diseases of poverty."
Since 1975, the programme has supported and advocated for research and development to address tropical and other infectious diseases associated with poverty; helped build the capacity and leadership of researchers where these infectious diseases are widespread andprovided research to help reduce leprosy to the brink of elimination.
It has also dramatically reduced the scourge of river blindness (onchocerciasis); improved dengue case management and diagnostics for diseases like TB and syphilis, and had a major impact on the control of malaria, Chagas' disease, visceral leishmaniasis and other tropical diseases.
The programme's work has been done through a global network built through collaborations that connect scientists, including Nobel Prize winners, researchers, non-governmental organizations, pharmaceutical companies and other partners who have donated freely of their time and knowledge.
TDR has supported the training and mentoring of thousands of researchers in developing countries, giving them the expertise to become local and world leaders in health research for the benefit of the poor and disadvantaged.
"This year’s winner is an organisation that has truly changed the landscape of global health," said Ambassador John E. Lange, Senior Programme Officer for Developing Country Policy & Advocacy at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Tanzanian scientists were among those that nominated TDR for the award.
"Our 35 year partnership has enabled a disease endemic country like ours to aspire to eventually find and develop solutions to our own problems, as well as share our technical knowledge with other disease endemic countries," says Dr Hassan Mshinda, Director General of the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology.
TDR receives US$1 million as part of the award, which will be used to expand its fellowship and training programmes.
The award was established by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to recognise organisations that have made outstanding contributions to improving health, especially in resource-poor settings.
This year's winner was chosen by a jury of international health leaders from more than 150 nominations received from around the world.
TDR joins 10 winners from past years of the Gates Award, which is administered by the Global Health Council.
-0- PANA SEG 17June2011
