The World Health Assembly recognized individuals and institutions whose contributions to global health have gone far beyond the call of duty.
According to WHO, the six laureates representing diverse backgrounds and contexts were honoured by the President of the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly, Dr. Víctor Elias Atallah Lajam of Dominican Republic, together with representatives of the foundations that have provided these prizes over the last 40 years, and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The 2026 prizes celebrate the remarkable dedication of the six awardees to advancing primary health care, reducing inequities and bringing the goal of health for all closer to reality.
This year, Dr. LEE Jong-wook Memorial Prize was awarded to Professor Mohammad Abul Faiz of Bangladesh. Likewise, the Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion was given to Dr. Amr Mohamed Kandeel of Egypt
Sasakawa Health Prize was awarded to the Banconi Community Health Association (ASACOBA), Mali. United Arab Emirates Health Foundation Prize was given to Dr. Worawit Tontiwattanasap, Thailand
State of Kuwait Health Promotion Foundation’s His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Prize for the Promotion of Healthy Ageing was honoured to Professor Bruno Vellas, France and SingHealth, Singapore
Every year, during the World Health Assembly, public health prizes and awards are presented to individuals and institutions from around the world for their outstanding contributions to public health.
Public health foundation prizes are awarded following nominations submitted by WHO Member States and former laureates. Selection panels composed of representatives of the prize foundations and WHO Executive Board Members review candidates and make recommendations. The WHO Executive Board designates the winners each year, and the awards are presented during a plenary session of the World Health Assembly.
Over the past 15 years, more than 80 laureates from over 50 WHO Member States have received public health prizes, WHO added.
In 2026, nearly 100 nominations were submitted from across all six WHO regions, reflecting a significant increase in global engagement in recognizing public health excellence.
Selected by WHO’s Executive Board in February 2026, the 2026 laureates reflect a shared commitment to improving health outcomes through scientific excellence, innovation and community outreach. Their work ranges from strengthening primary health care systems and advancing disease control to empowering communities and expanding access to essential services for the most vulnerable populations.
