WHO conferred ‘Heroes of Public Health’ awards to Dr G Nageswara Rao from India, Dr. Suwit Wibulpolprasert from Thailand, and Dr Virna Maria Gusmao dos Reis Martins-Sam from Timor-Leste on the occasion of the World Health Day.
The awards were given by Regional Director Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh at an event in New Delhi.
Dr G Nageswara Rao, founder-Chair of L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), was awarded for the tireless and generous efforts of the LVPEI which has positively impacted lives of more than 30.64 million people.
(Photo source: Indian Academy of Sciences, Bengaluru)
Dr. Suwit Wibulpolprasert, a global public health expert was honored for his innumerable achievements and contribution to the establishment of a strong and futuristic public health institutions and systems in his country. Ms. Pattarat Hongtong, Thailand’s Ambassador to India, received the award on behalf of Dr Wibulpolprasert.
(Photo credit - WHO-SEARO)
Dr Virna Maria Gusmao dos Reis Martins-Sam, a pediatrician and a champion of public health was conferred the award for her focused advocacy to promote childhood immunization which resulted in the introduction of multiple childhood vaccines and the strong push for improvement of health and wellbeing of the people of Timor-Leste.
(Photo credit - WHO-SEARO)
Since 2014, as Regional Director, Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh has been recognizing individuals, social service groups and institutions for their contributions to strengthening public health and welfare of the people of WHO’s South-East Asia Region.
The theme of the year-long World Health Day celebration this year is Health for All. The year also marks 75 years of the organization.