Dr Francis Gervase Omaswa wins the Third Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize in the Medical Services Category.
Press Release
25th April 2019
Dr. Francis Gervase Omaswa, the Founder and Executive Director of the African Centre for Global Health and Social Transformation (ACHEST) has been awarded in an announcement in Tokyo today, 25th April 2019 the Third Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize by The Government of Japan.
The Prize aims to honor individuals or organizations with outstanding achievements in the fields of medical research and medical services to combat infectious and other diseases in Africa, thus contributing to the health and welfare of the African people and of all humankind (Cabinet Decision of July 28, 2006).
According to the citation from the Japanese Government:
“Dr. Francis Gervase Omaswa gave up practicing heart surgery in London to return to Africa starting with the Republic of Kenya and then the Republic of Uganda, building clinical and surgical capacities in his home continent and country. Over the three decades since, Dr. Omaswa has become a world leader in development of international systems for the support, training and efficient utilization of health workforces particularly on the African continent. He led the drafting and convening the First Global Forum on HWF and inspiring the adoption of the Kampala Declaration and Agenda for Global Action that now guides the global response. Dr. Omaswa has brought wisdom to the global stage, serving on the boards of Global Stop TB Partnership, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Independent Review Committee of GAVI – the Vaccine Alliance and as founder and Executive Director of the Global Health Workforce Alliance. Today he leads multiple efforts aimed at creating health systems and workforces that can propel Africa towards realization of the “Health for All.” aspirations of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dr. Omaswa’s contribution to these health services accomplishments is primarily through his extraordinary ability as a teacher, mentor, colleague and friend who nurtures leadership potential everywhere he goes.”
Francis Omaswa responding to the news said:
“I am delighted and humbled. I thank the Government of Japan, the Government and People of Uganda, my wife and family, friends and colleagues for the support and partnership over the years. I call upon all Ugandan, African and people everywhere to serve willingly, diligently and selflessly knowing that the world is always watching us”.
The awarding ceremony of the Third Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize hosted by Prime Minister will be organized on August 30 in Tokyo on the occasion of the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 7) to be held in Yokohama from August 28 to 30 with African leaders’ participation. The Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize is composed of a citation, a medal and honorarium.
About Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize: The spread of infectious diseases presents a common threat to all humankind. Mindful that Africa faces this scourge most acutely, the Government of Japan established the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize in July 2006 in memory of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi (1876-1928) whose belief in medical advancement and self-sacrificing activities in Africa remains a beacon of inspiration to all.
Guided by these ideals and mindful of the ominous human suffering persisting in Africa, the region facing the most serious health challenge on the globe, the Prize aims to honour individuals with outstanding achievements in the fields of medical research and medical services to combat infectious and other diseases in Africa, thus contributing to the health and welfare of the African people and of all humankind.
The Medical Research Category prize is awarded to Prof. Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The previous awardees were: Dr. Brian Greenwood from the United Kingdom and Dr. Peter Piot from Belgium awarded in the Medical Research Category, while Dr. Miriam K. Were from Kenya and Dr Alex Coutinho from Uganda were awarded in the Medical Services Category.
The Prize is awarded every five years and the first award was in 2008, the second award was in 2013.