Every year during the World Health Assembly, public health prizes and awards are presented to professionals and institutions from around the world for their outstanding contributions to public health.
Six laureates were awarded today by the President of the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly, Dr Víctor Elias Atallah Lajam of Dominican Republic, together with high-level representatives of the foundations that established these public health awards and prizes, and the World Health Organization’s Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
In February 2026, the Executive Board of WHO decided to distinguish six laureates to celebrate their unique role for public health in their countries, their regions and globally. This year, five WHO regions are represented: Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, South-East Asia and the Western Pacific.
The laureates all have in common a strong commitment to expanding primary health care and reducing inequities, making tangible improvements in the lives of their own communities, through dedication and innovation.
Sasakawa Health Prize
The Banconi Community Health Association (ASACOBA) from Mali is the 2026 laureate of the Sasakawa Health Prize
The Sasakawa Health Prize is awarded to persons or entities for outstanding innovative work in health development, including advances in primary health care.
The Banconi Community Health Centre in Bamako, Mali. © Courtesy of ASACOBA
The Banconi Community Health Association (ASACOBA) is the first of its kind in Mali. The ASACOBA was established in 1988 in Banconi, Bamako, in response to the Bamako Initiative, a strategy for enhancing primary healthcare adopted by WHO in 1987. The Association supported the establishment of a Community Health Centre to bring dispensary and maternity services closer to local communities and make affordable treatment accessible to underserved populations in the district. This approach combines community leadership and empowerment, equitable approaches, and social innovation to meet the populations’ essential needs.
The Banconi Health Centre partners with the Ministry of Health and with education authorities, communities, and technical partners abroad to provide strengthened prevention, diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation services. Thanks to its academic partnerships, the centre offers internships to medical students and community-medicine research and training to resident doctors. The ASACOBA model has been widely replicated across Africa, with more than 1950 community health associations now active in Mali alone.
"This award is a tribute to the tireless work of field health workers. It rewards the belief that the solution does not come solely from urban hospitals, but also and above all from community engagement," said Mr Amadou Ouattara, President of the ASACOBA.
United Arab Emirates Health Foundation Prize
Dr Worawit Tontiwattanasap from Thailand wins the 2026 United Arab Emirates Health Foundation Prize
The United Arab Emirates Health Foundation Prize is awarded to Dr Worawit Tontiwattanasap in recognition for his humanitarian work to improve the health of rural, vulnerable and displaced populations.
Dr Worawit Tontiwattanasap at the Umphang Hospital in Tak province, Thailand. © 2025, courtesy of International Health Policy Program Foundation
Dr Worawit Tontiwattanasap is the Director of Umphang Hospital in Tak province, northwest of Thailand, bordering Myanmar. Dr Tontiwattanasap has dedicated his career to strengthening and transforming access to primary health care for vulnerable and displaced populations, including stateless individuals.
His efforts resulted in significant national resolutions for health subsidies and the registration of undocumented populations. His actions contributed to the expansion of health services through mobile clinics, providing essential health services on both sides of the border in terms of immunization, disease prevention and control for malaria, tuberculosis, dengue, antenatal and maternal care and dialysis treatment.
Dr Tontiwattanasap also provided training to community health workers and auxiliary midwives from Thailand and Myanmar, focusing on humanitarian care delivery. His contributions have significantly advanced the integration of equitable primary healthcare in rural areas.
"Regardless of nationality or legal status, every human shares the same hope for health, safety, and a better future. Our responsibility is guided not by geographical boundaries, but by our ethical values and humanity," said Dr Worawit Tontiwattanasap.
The State of Kuwait Health Promotion Foundation’s His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Prize for the Promotion of Healthy Ageing
Professor Bruno Vellas (France) and SingHealth (Singapore) are the 2026 winners of the State of Kuwait Health Promotion Foundation’s His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Prize for the Promotion of Healthy Ageing
Professor Bruno Vellas, President of the HealthAge University Hospital Institute and Chair of the Gérontopôle at Toulouse University Hospital. © 2025, courtesy of Bruno Vellas
Professor Bruno Vellas is a prominent figure working in healthy ageing field, serving as President of the HealthAge University Hospital Institute and Chair of the Gérontopôle at Toulouse University Hospital in France, which is also a WHO Collaborating Centre.
Bruno Vellas has shown impressive leadership and commitment to improving care for older adults, particularly through the integration of the WHO's Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) framework into national policies, benefiting over 107 700 older individuals. Vellas emphasizes community engagement and has authored over 850 peer-reviewed publications, impacting prevention-focused healthy ageing strategies. His initiatives include inclusion strategies for marginalized older populations and the use of digital education tools in over 40 countries, training nearly 17 000 health and care workers.
"When science, public health policy and community engagement work together, meaningful change is possible,” said Professor Maria Soto when receiving the prize on behalf of Professor Bruno Vellas. “Together, under the leadership of the World Health Organization, let us continue building a future where longer lives are also healthier lives everywhere.”
Caring Beyond Hospital Walls, within the Community: SingHealth’s Community Nurses providing personalised care and support during a home visit with the elderly. © 2023, courtesy of SingHealt
SingHealth, a government-owned healthcare agency in Singapore, adopts a strategic approach to healthy ageing characterized by long-term planning and strong governance. Its innovative community-centered and data-driven strategies have improved healthcare quality and catered to an ageing population. As part of the WHO Global Network for Age-friendly Cities, SingHealth leads the Healthier EAST @SG initiative to create an inclusive, age-friendly community in eastern Singapore.
This initiative integrates objectives across health, housing, urban planning, transport, and social policies, aligning with WHO's ICOPE approach. Focusing on workforce development and institutional capacity in health and social care, SingHealth empowers older individuals through various community initiatives and technology-enabled services, allowing the creation of age-friendly environments.
"This award affirms that meaningful change – a paradigm shift - is possible when we collaborate beyond hospital walls and place the communities we care for at the centre of what we do," said Professor Ng Wai Hoe, Group Chief Executive Officer, SingHealth.
Dr LEE Jong-wook Memorial Prize for Public Health
Professor Mohammad Abul Faiz from Bangladesh is the 2026 winner of the Dr LEE Jong-wook Memorial Prize for Public Health
Professor Mohammad Abul Faiz is receiving this prize for his outstanding contribution to public health at the local, national, regional and global levels.
Community engagement session during a malaria vaccination campaign at Lama, remote area of Bangladesh. © 2025, courtesy of Abul Fai
Professor Mohammad Abul Faiz, a retired civil servant, has greatly impacted national and global public health over 40 years. His early career focused on diseases affecting rural and marginalized communities, including forcibly displaced populations. He played a significant role in the South-East Asian Quinine Artesunate Malaria Trial and research on pre-referral rectal artesunate, improving care for severe malaria in remote settings.
He led Asia's first nationwide study on snakebite envenoming, raising its recognition as a neglected tropical disease. His research includes drug resistance, pandemic preparedness, and building capacity in low-resource settings. Professor Faiz's ongoing contributions highlight his commitment to addressing global health challenges affecting the most underserved populations.
"The recognition of our work is dedicated to those patients and their families. This prize provides us with fresh motivation to engage affected communities and continue our work to reduce suffering, death and disability among such marginalized and vulnerable people," said Professor Faiz.
Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion
Dr Amr Mohamed Kandeel from Egypt is the winner of the 2026 Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion
The Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion has been awarded to Dr Amr Mohamed Kandeel for his outstanding contribution to health promotion.
Dr Amr Kandeel receiving the Arab Government Excellence Award 2025 for the Integrated Immunization System Information Infrastructure Program, recognized as the Best Arab Initiative for Government Development. © 2025, Arab Government Excellence Award (League of Arab States)
Dr Amr Mohamed Kandeel is the Vice-Minister of Health and Population of Egypt. He has made remarkable contributions to preventive health, public health leadership, and disease control. Under his leadership, Egypt has received WHO certification for eliminating measles, rubella, malaria, and trachoma, as well as made significant improvements in hepatitis B control for children under 15.
He emphasizes integrating health with environmental and community engagement efforts and has advanced digitalization in primary care and prevention programmes, fostering a sustainable public health model that informs regional and global practices.
"These achievements reflect strong concerted political support and commitment from the health system, alongisde efforts to further enhance resilience and sustainability,” said Dr Amr Mohamed Kandeel.
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The call for nominations of candidates for each prize is sent out each year after the closure of the World Health Assembly. Nominations can be made by national health administrations of a WHO Member State and by any former recipient of the prizes. At its 186th session in February 2026, the Executive Board designated the 2026 winners of the prizes, based on proposals made by a selection panel composed of Executive Board Members.
See more on public health prizes and awards web page.
Read detailed information about the public health prizes and awards process.
Full information can be found in this 79th World Health Assembly document (A79/INF./1).