(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Former US president and 2002 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Jimmy Carter was awarded the REACH (Recognising Excellence around Champions of Health) Lifetime Achievement Award in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
Carter, who is also the founder of the Carter Foundation, was recognised for his longtime, vocal advocacy for disease eradication efforts, particularly Guinea worm disease.
Chip Carter, his son, accepted the award on his behalf from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, during the 'Reaching the Last Mile' international health forum held in Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Mohamed recognised the first-ever recipients of the REACH Awards, a global awards programme aimed at recognising individuals who have made outstanding contributions toward eliminating infectious diseases.
The award also honoured other global health leaders and those who have been instrumental in eradicating Guinea worm disease.
Other recipients include:
> Abdullah Khalifa Al Ghafli, the director of the United Arab Emirates Pakistan Assistance Programme, who was awarded the Special Achievement Award for his work in forging new partnerships to drive progress on infectious diseases
> Dr Nabil Aziz Awad Alla, a former national programme coordinator for Guinea worm disease eradication in Sudan's federal ministry of health, received the Courage Award for going above and beyond to push forward progress against Guinea worm disease, at great personal risk.
> Dr Adamu Keana Sallau, director for integrated health programmes in the Imo/Abia States at The Carter Centre in Nigeria, received the Last Mile Award for directly contributing to reaching elimination of Guinea worm disease in Nigeria
> Regina Lotubai Lomare Lochilangole, a social mobiliser in South Sudan's Federal Ministry of Health, and Daniel Madit Kuol Madut, a senior programme officer in South Sudan's Federal Ministry of Health, received the Unsung Hero Award for making significant contributions to ending Guinea worm disease in her community
"The REACH Awards are an important annual recognition of inspiring individuals who have dedicated their lives to ending global suffering through the eradication of disease. Preventable diseases like Guinea worm disease are very nearly eradicated but continue to incapacitate people across Africa, stopping them from studying, working, or caring for their families. This is a real threat to global development and it is vital that we recognise the real-life heroes fighting for progress, in order to maintain momentum through the final mile," said Sheikh Mohamed.
The REACH Awards build on the HOPE (Heroes of Polio Eradication) Awards, launched by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2015 to honour courageous individuals working to create a polio-free world.
Lifetime Achievement Award > Jimmy Carter, founder of Carter Foundation
Special Achievement Award > Abdullah Khalifa Al Ghafli, director, United Arab Emirates Pakistan Assistance Programme
Courage Award > Dr Nabil Aziz Awad Alla, former national programme coordinator, Guinea worm disease eradication in Sudan
Last Mile Award > Dr Adamu Keana Sallau, director, integrated health programmes in the Imo/Abia States at The Carter Centre in Nigeria
Unsung Hero Award > Regina Lotubai Lomare Lochilangole, a social mobiliser in South Sudan's Federal Ministry of Health
Daniel Madit Kuol Madut >a senior programme officer in South Sudan's Federal Ministry of Health
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