Outstanding individuals and institutions were recognized for their extraordinary contributions in the field of health and development at the Fifty-second World Health Assembly. The following awards were presented in a ceremony on 20 May 1999:

Darling Foundation Prize

The 1999 Darling Foundation Prize was awarded to Dr. Agostinho Cruz Marques of Brazil and Dr. Vinod Prakash Sharma of India.

Dr. Agostinho Cruz Marques was awarded the prize for his significant efforts in combating malaria in Brazil over the last 35 years, principally in its poorest and most needy regions. His dedication and technical skill received recognition in 1977 when he was promoted to the position of Director-General of the Department of Endemic Disease Eradication and Control of SUCAM (Brazil's Public Health Supervisory Office). With responsibility for nationwide coordination of all malaria control activities, Dr. Marques was instrumental in significantly bringing down the incidence of malaria.

Dr. Vinod Prakash Sharma's contributions have been of immense value in enhancing the understanding of malaria dynamics, the organization of situation-specific control operations, and the development of an integrated and ecologically sound approach to malaria control. The strategy of the bio-environmental control of malaria, developed by Dr. Sharma, is emerging as a major landmark in the management of malaria in India. His work contributed substantially to the successful implementation of malaria control in India.

Léon Bernard Foundation Prize

Mrs. Debbie Emma Choongo of Zambia was awarded the Léon Bernard Foundation Prize for 1999. Thanks to her personal commitment, creativity and communications skills, Mrs. Choongo has been instrumental in improving the health status in the area through increased immunization coverage, which has been raised from 11% to 80%. She has also helped to set up a number of projects such as community-based growth monitoring programs, improved water supply and condom distribution. Mrs. Choongo has been successful in promoting functional literacy classes and establishing a formal school with a trained teacher. The project has been so successful that this community is now regarded as a model for good community health practices.

Mr. Boinikum Benson Konlaan of Ghana was the recipient of the 1999 Jacques Parisot Foundation Fellowship proposed this year by the European Region. Mr. Konlaan currently holds a position of research assistant at the Umeä University, Sweden. He is pursuing doctoral studies based on an innovative project involving cultural stimulation and health. The Fellowship topic for research is "Closing the gap in health status between rich and poor".

Ihsan Dogramaci Family Health Foundation Prize

Among other prizes awarded today was the Ihsan Dogramaci Family Health Foundation Prize. The recipient of the prize was Professor Münevver Bertan of Turkey. Professor Bertan has devoted her whole career to the promotion of family health in Turkey. Professor Bertan has played a pivotal role in organizing national immunization campaigns and in the promotion and standardization of training in family planning in medical schools throughout Turkey. She has published extensively. Professor Bertan is a member of various prestigious national and international associations.

The recipients of the 1999 Sasakawa Health Prize were Dr Julian Guillermo Ortiz Guier from Costa Rica and the Institute of Urban Primary Health Care in South Africa.

The contribution of Dr Ortiz to primary health care in Costa Rica over a period of more than 30 years has been exemplary. The support given to his initiative "Hospitals without walls" in 1978 by the highest political level in his country attests to his innovative accomplishments. His achievements at country level have been complemented by his contributions to fostering the primary health care movement worldwide.

The Institute of Urban Primary Health Care was established in South Africa in 1990 on a community basis with the purpose of carrying out primary health care research and training activities. The Institute was singled out because of its central role in capacity building at primary health care level in South Africa. It was cited for its' innovative approach in increasing rehabilitation coverage, in promoting healthy lifestyles and supportive environments and in speeding up the training of primary health care nurses.

The Francesco Pocchiari Fellowship was granted to Dr (Mrs) Raimonda Lilo Totoni from Albania. Dr Totoni graduated from the Faculty of Natural Science in the State University of Tirana and pursued postgraduate studies in analytical chemistry. Dr Totoni's work during the fellowship period shall focus on the role of heavy metals in the environment as important risk factors in Albania.

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