16 September 2022
Congratulations to Dr. John Nkengasong for being recognized as a Virchow Prize 2022 winner. Your bold leadership has had a global impact, and I am happy to see that continue as you lead the The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program.” — Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken
COVID-19 vaccines at the height of vaccine scarcity. Nkengasong has been knighted by Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal in recognition of his numerous contributions in global health and has authored over 250 scientific-peer reviewed publications.
He was recognized as a Time Magazine 100 most influential people in the world in 2021 and ranked fourth by Fortune magazine as one of the 25 world’s great leaders in 2021.
In early 2022, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. selected Nkengasong to head the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which is the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease in history, prevent millions of HIV infections, save lives, and make progress toward ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Within days of assuming the role, he began holding listening sessions with internal and external global stakeholders to inform decisions about reimagining PEPFAR for the future, as he now leads the nearly 20-year effort to end HIV/AIDS as a public health threat.
The Virchow Prize for Global Health is awarded by the Virchow Foundation for Global Health, an independent non-profit foundation that strives to raise awareness about global health issues in a holistic approach, addressing all sectors of society, with the aim of improving health and well-being.
Winners of this prestigious award receive a monetary prize of €500,000, which Nkengasong asked the foundation to donate to organizations in sub-Saharan Africa that address inequities among vulnerable populations.
To be honored with the Virchow Prize for Global Health affirms Nkengasong’s successful global health pioneering and lifelong leadership and dedication to achieving health for all.
His efforts, closely coordinated with Strive Masiyiwa, founder and executive chairman of Econet Group and Cassava Technologies; Dr. Vera Songwe of UNECA; and Professor Benedict Oramah of the Africa Export-Import Bank, helped secure 400 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines at the height of vaccine scarcity.
You can learn more here. https://www.state.gov/ambassador-dr-john-nkengasong-awarded-with-prestigious-virchow-prize-for-global-health/