In a ceremony at the International Conference on Public Health in Africa, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), received the esteemed 2023 CPHIA Lifetime Achievement Award in Public Health. This recognition, presented in Lusaka, Zambia, celebrated Dr. Tedros’s steadfast commitment to advancing global health and his transformative leadership amid unprecedented crises.
The accolade underscores Dr. Tedros’s unwavering dedication to enhancing global health and his pivotal role in steering the World Health Organization through complex challenges. Africa CDC’s Director General, Dr. Jean Kasaye, commended Dr. Tedros for his transformative leadership, citing his resilience and foresight in navigating intricate global health issues. Dr. Kasaye emphasized Dr. Tedros’s resolute commitment to healthcare accessibility, equity, and the relentless fight against emerging health threats, all of which have left an indelible mark on the lives of millions worldwide.
Dr. Tedros’s significant role in establishing the Africa CDC was also highlighted. As Ethiopia’s Minister of Health in 2013, his vocal advocacy contributed to the African Union’s Special Summit on HIV, TB, and Malaria (ATM) declaration in Abuja, recognizing the imperative for an Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Tedros declared that a healthy Africa serves as the foundation for the continent’s development, peace, and stability. He urged African nations to leverage their resources and invest in fortifying their health sectors, echoing the imperative of proactive healthcare measures for sustained growth.
The 2023 CPHIA Lifetime Achievement Award follows Dr. Tedros’s impactful leadership at the helm of the WHO, further solidifying his legacy as a trailblazer in the field of global public health.
The 2021 CPHIA Lifetime Achievement Award in Public Health was previously bestowed upon Professor Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum, recognizing his groundbreaking contributions to Ebola research. The CPHIA Lifetime Achievement Award stands as the most prestigious accolade conferred by CPHIA, the African Union’s official platform for continental collaboration and policy dialogue on public health. This distinguished award is granted to individuals who have made substantial contributions to the advancement of public health in Africa, exemplifying excellence and dedication in the field.
