WHO Director-General announces Global Health Leaders Awards

Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum and Peter Piot rewarded for their lifelong commitment to health

May 18, 2023

Press release, link: https://www.who.int/news/item/18-05-2023-who-director-general-announces-global-health-leaders-awards

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WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will present two Lifetime Achievement Awards to recognize outstanding contributions to promoting global health at the high-level opening session of the 76th World Health Assembly.

The Director-General's Global Leaders Award, established in 2019, will be presented 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 Ebola virus disease before assuming leadership positions in global health. The award recognizes their lifetime achievements in public health.

Professor Muyembe-Tamfum of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is recognized for his innovation, leadership, and pioneering contributions to the management and treatment of diseases such as Ebola virus disease. He has played a pivotal 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 National Institute of Biomedical Research of the DRC in Kinshasa, a full professor of microbiology at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Kinshasa, and the first president of the Congolese Academy of Sciences.

Professor Muyembe-Tamfum was part of the team that discovered the Zaire Ebola virus during the first recorded outbreak in 1976 in Équateur Province, northern DRC. He later contributed to the development of one of the first effective treatments for the virus and the deployment of experimental Ebola vaccines. He worked tirelessly to build scientific capacity in the Democratic Republic of Congo, establishing multiple research facilities across the country, and played a key role with the WHO in the fight against infectious diseases.

Professor Piot of Belgium is recognized for his extraordinary leadership in responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and other significant global health challenges. He played a pivotal role in launching major global health initiatives such as UNAIDS, the Global Fund, and others, which have improved health outcomes worldwide. Under his leadership, UNAIDS became the leading advocate for global action on AIDS, also leading UN reform by bringing together 10 different UN organizations.

Professor Piot also played a role in the earlier discovery of the Ebola virus and the containment of the first known outbreak, participating in epidemiological field investigations.

He has chaired several high-profile initiatives, held numerous senior advisory roles, including on COVID-19, and received numerous awards. Professor Piot is a Special Advisor to the President of the EC, Professor of Global Health, and former Director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

“These exceptional individuals embody lifelong dedication, tireless advocacy, a commitment to equity, and selfless service to humanity and human health,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “At a time of multiple emergencies, health crises, and conflict, we recognize that leadership in public health and science is more important than ever to advance global health. Our laureates today embody that passion.”

“Their combined stories and successes demonstrate 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 exceptional scientists will continue to inspire us every day,” he added.

The awards ceremony is part of the high-level opening session of the 76th World Health Assembly, which will be held on Sunday, May 21, 2023, in Geneva.