Who has previously received the WHO award that Ziroat Mirziyoyeva received?
First Lady of Uzbekistan, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the "Zamin" International Public Foundation Ziroat Mirziyoyeva was awarded the World Health Organization Director-General's 2024 Award. This award was previously received by Nobel laureates Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman, Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley, as well as renowned scientists Peter Piot and Paul Farmer.
Who was previously presented with the WHO award received by Ziroat Mirziyoyeva?
Ziroat Mirziyoyeva was awarded for her leadership in developing the medical care system for children with oncological diseases and for promoting every child's right to live a healthy life on a global scale.
The WHO Director-General’s Global Health Award was established in 2019 by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. It is presented to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and achieved concrete results in protecting public health. Laureates are chosen personally by the organization's Director-General.
The award is presented annually to a limited number of laureates. According to the provided information, three individuals received this recognition in 2024, and two individuals in 2025.
One of the 2024 laureates was Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley. She was awarded for her leadership on climate change and its impact on human health, as well as her work as Chair of the Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance.
Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman also received the award that same year. Their scientific research paved the way for the creation of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. The scientists were recognized for their contribution to the development of this technology. Karikó and Weissman were also awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2023.
Peter Piot, who was awarded in 2023, is known for his many years of work in global health. He participated in the first discovery of the Ebola virus and efforts to contain the initial epidemic. Later, he held leading roles in the international fight against HIV/AIDS.
Harvard professor Paul Farmer was awarded posthumously in 2022. He was recognized for his work toward delivering quality medical care to the world's low-income populations, health equity, and the protection of human rights.
Farmer headed the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School and was also a co-founder of Partners In Health, an international organization that provides medical assistance to low-income populations.
During the presentation of the award to Ziroat Mirziyoyeva, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized her activities in defending the interests of children, especially those fighting oncological diseases.
"You are a true champion for children around the world, especially those battling cancer, a defender of every child's right to education and a healthy life," the WHO Director-General said.