Award of the Dr A.T. Shousha Foundation Prize and Fellowship

Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean Sixty-sixth session Provisional agenda item 7(a) EM/RC66/INF.DOC.11 September 2019 Award of the Dr A.T. Shousha Foundation Prize and Fellowship 1. Following the recommendations of the Dr A.T. Shousha Foundation Committee at the 65th session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean, the Executive Board awarded the Dr A.T. Shousha Foundation Prize for 2019, by decision EB144(10), to Dr Radi Hammad (Egypt) for his significant contribution to public health in the geographical area in which Dr Shousha served WHO. 2. Dr Radi Hammad is being honoured for his significant contribution to public health in Egypt, especially in the control of hepatitis C. Dr Hammad graduated in Medicine and Surgery from Cairo University in 2003. He received a Diploma in Total Quality Management from the American University in Cairo in 2008, a Masters in Internal Medicine from Cairo University in 2010, and an MBA in Healthcare Management from Loyola University in the United States of America in 2012. Dr Hammad has published widely in scientific journals on hepatitis C infection and treatment. 3. Dr Hammad is currently Director-General of the Viral Hepatitis Control Department at the Ministry of Health and Population. He has over 14 years of experience in public health, hepatology, health policy and health care management. A leading force in Egypt’s ambitious hepatitis C elimination campaign, Dr Hammad has overseen the national hepatitis C virus screening initiative, which has tested more than 7 million people since August 2016. The resulting positive cases are referred to the nearest treatment centre and followed up until cured. This enormous undertaking has involved the coordination of different departments within the Ministry of Health and Population, as well as coordination with different ministries and civil organizations. 4. The 2019 Dr A.T. Shousha Foundation Prize, consisting of a medal and the equivalent of 2500 Swiss francs in United States dollars, will be presented to Dr Radi Hammad by the Chair of the 66th session of the Regional Committee. 5. In addition, based on the recommendation of the same Foundation Committee and by decision EB144(10), the Executive Board awarded the Dr A.T. Shousha Foundation Fellowship for 2019 amounting to US$ 15 000 to Ms Golaleh Asghari (Islamic Republic of Iran) for a scholarship to study for a PhD in Nutrition Sciences. Ms Asghari is a researcher at the Nutrition and Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences and Metabolism, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. Ms Asghari graduated in 2007 and received an MSc in Nutrition Sciences in 2011, from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, and is currently a PhD candidate in Nutrition Sciences at the same institution. 6. Since 2007, Ms Asghari has worked at the Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences and Metabolism investigating noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors, such as childhood obesity and its health consequences including diabetes and metabolic syndrome. She has collaborated in research projects including the Tehran lipid and glucose prospective cohort study as well as in clinical trials. Ms Asghari has acted as an adviser to numerous Masters students, given presentations at international symposia, helped to design nutrition software for nutritionists and researchers, and co- published many research papers in international and national peer-reviewed journals. 7. During community outreach as a speaker on healthy diet and active lifestyles, and when doing nutrition assessments as part of a screening programme, Ms Asghari became aware of the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among children and adolescents and its undesirable consequences. This has EM/RC66/INF.DOC.11 2 led her to focus her PhD research on vitamin D dosages to support public health organizations in policy formulation regarding the distribution of vitamin D supplements in primary schools and food fortification. She has demonstrated a desire to make a significant original contribution to research in nutrition and to find new methods for translating research and evidence into policy, programmes and practice, pursuant to her long-term goal of a career in teaching and research. 8. The Dr A.T. Shousha Foundation Committee is scheduled to meet during the 66th session of the Regional Committee to consider nominations for the prize and fellowship for 2020. In accordance with the Statutes, the Committee shall be composed of the following members: the Chairman and two Vice-Chairmen of the Regional Committee. 9. The Director-General of the World Health Organization acts as Administrator of the Foundation and the Regional Director acts as Secretary of the Foundation Committee.