Mauritanian Professor Lo Boubou Baidy wins 2017 United Arab Emirates Health Foundation Prize.

​The United Arab Emirates Health Foundation Prize for 2017 went to Professor Lo Boubou Baidy, 61, of Mauritania, for his significant contribution to the establishment of the national blood transfusion centres and laboratory services , as well as his fight against viral hepatitis, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, it was announced on the sidelines of the 70th World Health Assembly, WHA.

Professor Baidy was selected for his great contributions towards combating these diseases in Mauritania, noted Ambassador Obaid Salem Al Zaabi, UAE Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva, in a speech delivered at a ceremony held by the World Health Organisation to honour those who made significant contributions towards enhancing human health.

Professor Baidy worked to ensure adequate stocks of blood across Mauritania, including in remote areas. He also advocated for the introduction, in 2002, of the vaccination against hepatitis B in the expanded immunisation programme. Owing to his efforts, the immunisation programme was further strengthened through the introduction of vaccination against hepatitis B within 24 hours of birth.

The award was created in 1995 by the UAE leadership, which has a wise vision for supporting the noble work of the World Health Organisation, and encouraging winners to achieve more and benefit human health, Al Zaabi added The UAE, he said, is at the forefront of pursuing promising future strategies for the development of comprehensive health programmes to keep pace with the developments taking place in all sectors, as well as in its efforts to be the best in the world in terms of services provided to all those who live in the country.

"Through establishing this award, the UAE seeks to encourage researchers and scientists to keep pace with fast-paced developments in today's world and come up with more effective solutions to beat current challenges. The UAE continues to provide all that benefits mankind," Al Zaabi said.

Thirty-six personalities and health non-government organisations have won the United Arab Emirates Health Foundation Prize.

In 2006, Baidy became Professor of Medicine and Head of Fundamental Sciences Department of the Faculty of Medicine of Nouakchott University.

Director-General of the World Health Organisation Dr Margaret Chan, President of the 70th World Health Assembly Professor Veronica Skvortsova, health ministers and permanent representatives of member states and organisation attended the ceremony.