THAI ROYAL FAMILY HONOURS NIGERIAN HEALTH ICON, PROF. UCHE, AMAZIGO, AT GLOBAL LAUREATES EVENT

Nigeria’s renowned public health expert, Prof. Uche Veronica Amazigo has been honoured by the Thai Royal Family as part of a global celebration marking 100 distinguished laureates of the Prince Mahidol Award (PMA).

Prof. Amazigo, a recipient of the award in 2012, was among global health leaders hosted by the Prince Mahidol Award Foundation during a special commemorative event held in Nan Province, Thailand, from February 2–5, 2026. The Foundation operates under the Royal Patronage of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Established in 1992 by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the Prince Mahidol Award recognises individuals whose work in medicine and public health has made a lasting global impact. The 2025/2026 celebration marked a historic milestone of 100 laureates worldwide.

Among the honourees are three Africans: the late Prof. Frederick Sai of Ghana (1995), Prof. Amazigo (2012), and the late Nigerian public health pioneer Prof. Adetokunbo Lucas (1999). Seven PMA laureates have also won the Nobel Prize.

According to the Foundation, Prof. Amazigo was recognised for pioneering community-directed treatment, a strategy that transformed the control of neglected tropical diseases across Africa. As Director of the WHO African Programme on Onchocerciasis (APOC), she expanded treatment for river blindness to millions of people across 19 African countries.

Under her leadership, the WHO/APOC Programme received the António Champalimaud Vision Award in 2011 for outstanding contributions to the prevention of blindness. She has also supported ECOWAS initiatives aimed at eliminating malaria through integrated vector control strategies.

Beyond her international work, Prof. Amazigo has continued to impact grassroots healthcare in Nigeria through the Pan-African Community Initiative on Education and Health (PACIEH) and the Goodwill Medical Centre (GMC) in Enugu, established with support from the TY Danjuma Foundation. The Centre provides affordable healthcare services, including maternal and child health, eye care and family medicine, to underserved communities.

In April 2025, the GMC commissioned the Avah River Bridge, improving access to healthcare and essential services for several Enugu East communities. The hospital has also partnered with the Enugu East Local Government to expand health insurance coverage.

Prof. Amazigo, a Knight of the National Order of Burkina Faso, is married to Emeritus Professor of Mathematics John Amazigo. Both are Fellows of the Nigerian Academy of Science.

The Prince Mahidol Award Foundation said the 2026 gathering aimed to strengthen collaboration among laureates and explore future strategies for advancing global health.