79th World Health Assembly honors six global champions in primary health care
The Story
The Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly recognized six individuals and institutions for their contributions to primary health care and global health, according to a World Health Organization announcement. The laureates were honored by the Assembly’s President, Dr Víctor Elias Atallah Lajam of the Dominican Republic, along with representatives of the prize foundations and WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The 2026 prizes celebrate dedication to advancing primary health care, reducing inequities, and bringing health for all closer to reality. The awardees were selected by WHO’s Executive Board in February 2026 from nearly 100 nominations submitted across all six WHO regions. This year also marks 20 years since the passing of former WHO Director-General Dr LEE Jong-wook, whose memorial prize was among those awarded. Over the past 15 years, more than 80 laureates from over 50 WHO Member States have received public health prizes.
Key Facts
- Six laureates received public health prizes at the 79th World Health Assembly.
- The Sasakawa Health Prize was awarded to the Banconi Community Health Association (ASACOBA), Mali.
- The United Arab Emirates Health Foundation Prize was awarded to Dr Worawit Tontiwattanasap, Thailand.
- The 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 awarded to Professor Bruno Vellas, France, and to SingHealth, Singapore.
- The Dr LEE Jong-wook Memorial Prize for Public Health was awarded to Professor Mohammad Abul Faiz, Bangladesh.
- The Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion was awarded to Dr Amr Mohamed Kandeel, Egypt.
- The prizes are presented annually during the World Health Assembly, with winners selected by the WHO Executive Board.
- Nearly 100 nominations were submitted for the 2026 prizes across all six WHO regions.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified in the source article.
Still Unclear
No open questions identified in the source article.
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.
Key Figures
- Dr Víctor Elias Atallah Lajam, President of the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly (Dominican Republic)
- Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
- Dr LEE Jong-wook, former WHO Director-General (deceased)
- Banconi Community Health Association (ASACOBA), Mali
- Dr Worawit Tontiwattanasap, Thailand
- Professor Bruno Vellas, France
- SingHealth, Singapore
- Professor Mohammad Abul Faiz, Bangladesh
- Dr Amr Mohamed Kandeel, Egypt
Sources: World Health Organization
