Dr Pascoal Mocumbi Prize
This prize recognises the significant contribution made by Dr Pascoal Mocumbi, the first High Representative of the EDCTP Association. The Dr Pascoal Mocumbi Prize aims to reward an individual in recognition of his/her outstanding achievements in advancing health research and capacity development in Africa with significant impact on the wellbeing of the African population.
Objective of the prize
During his 10-year-tenure as High Representative of EDCTP (2004-2013), Dr Mocumbi worked to promote capacity development initiatives and networking, as well as championing African ownership in various partnerships. He urged policy makers to support funding of health research in their own countries and to commit themselves to solving national health problems.
The prize is open to women and men worldwide who are senior scientists, policymakers or advocates for health and research and who have made unique contributions and significant achievements in
- promoting Africa-Europe partnerships in global health research
- promoting and facilitating the clinical development of products for poverty-related diseases
- advancing capacity development for health research in sub-Saharan Africa
- developing and promoting international networking and cooperation of researchers, policymakers, funders and donors on poverty-related diseases.
The Dr Pascoal Mocumbi Prize consists of a recognition trophy and a cash prize of € 50,000. The prize rewards the achievements made and should also be used to publicise and raise awareness about the prize winner, their specific achievements, and the EDCTP2 programme. There is no age restriction for this prize.
Recipients of the Dr Pascoal Mocumbi Prize
2023
Professor Peter Kremsner (Gabon/Germany)
Professor Peter Kremsner is an international leader in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of tropical diseases. In his career of 40 years, he has published more than 700 scientific papers. His exceptional commitment to supporting African and European scientists is reflected in his supervision and promotion of more than 100 doctoral students, nearly half of them Africans. Many are now Professors and Directors in leading positions in research institutions, faculties, and universities.
2020
Professor Sir Alimuddin Zumla (Zambia/UK)
Sir Alimuddin (Ali) Zumla is ranked as the world’s top communicable diseases expert and has authored 22 medical textbooks and contributed to 800 publications worldwide. Sir Ali is renowned for his empowerment of African and European scientists.
2018
Professor Souleymane Mboup (Senegal)
Prof. Souleymane Mboup is a pioneer in HIV research in Africa. His career spans more than 35 years and has been dedicated to HIV-related research and lecturing at the Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar and partner universities across the world. He and a research team discovered the HIV-2 virus.
2016
Professor Fred Newton Binka (Ghana)
Prof. Fred Binka is one of the most respected public health physicians in Africa. He was responsible for major research initiatives, including showing the public health impact of vitamin A supplementation, insecticide-impregnated bed nets, and rotavirus and meningitis vaccination. His work as founding director of the INDEPTH network has been key to documenting the burden of mortality and morbidity in African countries and provided the framework for multiple intervention trials. He made substantial contributions to the setting up of the Roll Back Malaria Programme and of EDCTP.
About Dr Pascoal Mocumbi
During his tenure as High Representative, Dr Pascoal Mocumbi assisted EDCTP in building political support, particularly in Africa. He was engaged in many international meetings with high-level representatives from Africa and Europe, including a meeting with the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, and other stakeholders to discuss current and future challenges related to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. In 2011, he represented EDCTP at the Senior Officers of the EU-AU Meeting (SOM EU-AU) dialogue. Moreover, he addressed the High-Level Meetings on the second EDCTP programme in Cape Town, South Africa (2012), and the Second High-Level Meeting on EDCTP2 in Dakar, Senegal (2013).
He was Prime Minister of Mozambique from 1994 to 2004. Prior to that, he headed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 8 years and the Ministry of Health for 6 years. From 1989 to 1998, Dr Mocumbi served in the World Health Organization’s Task Force on Health and Development. In 2005, he was appointed WHO Good Will Ambassador for Maternal, New-born and Child Health for the African Region. He has also had an active role in other global health initiatives.
Pascoal Mocumbi obtained his medical degree from the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1973. After completing his studies, he returned to Mozambique where he practiced medicine as obstetrician and gynaecologist in hospitals throughout the country before serving in political high office.