Global Health Champions Honoured at WHO Assembly

From left to right Ambassador Mxolisi Nkosi of South Africa; President of the 78th World Health Assembly Teodoro Herbosa; Dr. Majed Zemni of Tunisia, recipient of the 2025 Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion; and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom G. WHO/Pierre Albouy

In a powerful display of recognition and gratitude, six outstanding public health leaders were honoured on Friday at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva for their lifelong dedication to improving health care for the world’s most vulnerable. These champions were celebrated not only for their scientific achievements, but for their work that went “beyond the call of normal duty” — a phrase that rang through the assembly hall as stories of compassion, innovation, and perseverance were shared.

Among the recipients was Dr. Merete Nordentoft of Denmark, who received the Sasakawa Health Prize for her pioneering efforts in suicide prevention and early intervention for psychosis. Speaking about the patients she serves, Nordentoft captured the essence of invisible suffering. “Some patients do not line up on waiting lists. They wait, unknowingly, for inside understanding and the courage to seek care,” she said. Her groundbreaking approach, which prioritises early and community-based mental health interventions, marked the first time this prestigious prize had been awarded for work in mental health. “With the right support, early enough, recovery is not only possible – it is likely,” she added, offering hope to those who often remain unseen in the global health narrative.

The ceremony brought into focus a range of efforts aimed at building inclusive, resilient health systems. Professor Huali Wang of China and the Geriatric Healthcare Directorate of Kuwait were jointly awarded the Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Prize for their contributions to healthy ageing. Wang was commended for her work in bridging professional care with family support networks for older adults living with dementia. She dedicated her award to the families who navigate this complex illness with love and resilience. The Kuwaiti Directorate, meanwhile, was recognised for their leadership in providing high-quality, integrated care for the elderly—care that safeguards dignity and honours the life experiences of older persons.

Dr. Jožica Maučec Zakotnik of Slovenia, who was awarded the United Arab Emirates Health Foundation Prize, shared a personal reflection that guided her mission. “Growing up in a less developed region in Slovenia, I set myself a task that the most disadvantaged communities would be given greater attention,” she said. Zakotnik helped pioneer a new model of free, community-based health promotion centres, expanding access to health education and services for thousands.

But the event was not only a celebration; it was also a moment of sobering reflection on the financial challenges currently facing global health. Dr. Helen Rees of South Africa, honoured with the Dr LEE Jong-wook Memorial Prize for her work in HIV prevention and community health, warned of the consequences of severe budget cuts. The proposed budget before the assembly has been slashed by over $1.1 billion due to projected funding gaps. “The global health world has just been hit with a ‘force quit’ button,” Rees said, expressing concern that vital programmes could be paused or abandoned just when they are needed most.

Dr. Majed Zemni of Tunisia received the Nelson Mandela Award for his work in forensic medicine and for championing the integration of medical ethics into national policy. He used his platform to evoke the spirit of Nelson Mandela, calling for renewed commitment to cooperation in science and medicine. “The principles for which Nelson Mandela fought urge us to pursue a policy of cooperation and partnership in sharing knowledge, science and resources,” he said.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus closed the ceremony with a heartfelt tribute to the awardees, describing them as “an inspiration and a reminder of the progress that can be made to improve health and well-being for all.” President of the Assembly, Teodoro Herbosa, echoed this sentiment, praising the relentless efforts of health workers across the globe who share the vision of achieving universal health care.

In a time of global uncertainty and growing inequality, these champions have illuminated a path forward — one shaped by compassion, courage, and a deep commitment to health for all.