Mahidol University No.1 in Thailand in the GreenMetric Rankings

»FeaturesThe Prince MahidolAwards2012Mahidol University and the PrinceMahidol Award Foundation aredelighted to announce the winners ofthe 2012 Prince Mahidol Awards. Onceagain, their Majesties the King andQueen of Thailand graciously assignedH.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhornto preside over the presentationceremony, which took place at theChakri Throne Hall, Bangkok on30 th January 2013.This year the achievements of SirMichael David Rawlins and Dr. UcheVeronica Amazigo were recognized,both of whom have dedicated theircareers to medical and public healthservices, and were awarded the PrinceMahidol Award in the field of Medicineand Public Health respectively.Sir Michael is widely acknowledgedas the pioneer in the practice ofscientific and clinical-based evidence inevaluating the efficacy of drugs,equipment and medical procedures. In1999, he established the NationalInstitute for Health and ClinicalSir Michael David Rawlins (front row, 2 nd from left) andDr. Uche Veronica Amazigo ( front row, 2 nd from right) ata celebratory luncheon hosted by Mahidol University.Excellence (NICE), which continues toaffect medical decision makersworldwide, and improve the healthcareof millions of people.Dr. Amazigo is the world’s leader inthe introduction and use of communitydirectedtreatment in the control ofdiseases (Linking research withmanagement strategies; therebyempowering communities to distributemedicine to affected populations).This approach has been particularlysuccessful in the control of riverblindness (Onchocerciasis) and hashelped strengthen the health systems of500,000 communities across the 19countries covered by the AfricanProgramme on Onchocerciasis.As a result, it is estimated that 90million people will have receivedtreatment and 40,000 people wil havebeen prevented from developing thisdisease by 2015. Community-directedtreatment is now used to control otherdiseases and has had major impacts inthe provision of essential healthcareservices throughout Africa. In fact, it isestimated that this approach hasbenefited over 11 million people in thecontrol of Malaria alone, as well as 37million in the control of other diseases.For more information, includingdetails of the on-line nominationprocess, please visit http://www.princemahidolaward.org/index.en.phpMahidol University was alsohonored to welcome H.R.H. PrincessMaha Chakri Sirindhorn to preside overthe opening ceremony of “The PrinceMahidol Award Conference: A WorldUnited Against Infectious Diseases:Cross Sectoral Solutions”.Held from the 28 th January to 2 ndFebruary 2013 at the Centara Grand &Bangkok Convention Centre, theconference aimed to provide aninternational-level arena in whichexperts from various sectors couldshare their experiences in healthrelatedpolicy development, socialcommitment and reducing the threat ofinfectious diseases worldwide throughimproved cross-sectoral andinternational cooperation andcommunication.As result, various ways forward forthe One-Health 1 Approach wereidentified, including an increasedemphasis on adaptive risk assessmentand a move away from surveillance tothe prediction and prevention ofdisease at source.1The One Health Initiative is a movement to forge co-equal, all inclusive collaborations between physicians, osteopaths, veterinarians, dentists, nurses and other scientifichealthand environmentally related disciplines. To find out more, please visit http://www.onehealthinitiative.com2 • Spectrum | Vol.20, No. 1 | January - April 2013