Public health prizes and awards Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion
The Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion was established in 2019 upon the initiative of the Ministers of Health of the Member States of the African Region on the opportunity of the centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela. At the 71st World Health Assembly in May 2018, the Ministers noted: “We concurrently celebrate the 70th anniversary of the creation of the World Health Organization whose mandate is to achieve Health Coverage for All, but also the 40th anniversary of the Alma Ata Declaration on Primary Healthcare, which has been fully focused on local communities essential to universal health coverage. This echoes the values and principles for which Nelson Mandela fought and lived.”
It is awarded to individuals, institutions and/or governmental or nongovernmental organizations that have made a significant contribution to health promotion, as per the Statutes for the award.
The Award aims at rewarding work that has extended far beyond the call of normal duties.
In recognition of the humility of Nelson Mandela, the Award given to each laureate consists of a plaque. It is presented by the President of the World Health Assembly at a special ceremony during a plenary of the World Health Assembly, together with the Director-General of the WHO and normally a representative of the Nelson Mandela foundation.
Professor Bontle Mbongwe (Botswana) accepting the Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion in May 2024
Prof Pratima Murthy accepting the Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion on behalf of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) (India) in May 2024
Procedure for the proposal and selection of candidates
Any national health administration of a Member State of the World Health Organization, or any former recipient of the award, may put forward the name of a candidate for the Award. Current and former staff members of the World Health Organization and current members of the Executive Board are ineligible to receive the Award.
The nomination must be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons for proposing the candidate. The same candidature may be submitted several times if unsuccessful.
Proposals are submitted to the Director-General of the World Health Organization, who submits them to the Award Selection Panel.
The Award Selection Panel, in a private meeting, considers the candidates for the Award and proposes the name(s) of the recipient(s) of the award to the Executive Board. The proposal is considered by the Executive Board, which designates the recipient(s) of the Award.
