About the category
The Leadership Award category is for women working at the health center, sub-national or national level who have given exceptional service towards NTD control and elimination.
Winner of the Leadership Award
Edridah (51 years old, Uganda)
Edridah has dedicated her career to tackling NTDs, working for more than 20 years in the field. With Edridah’s help, Uganda became one of the first countries to introduce an integrated approach to tackling NTDs, not just stand alone programmes. She operates an open door policy and makes sure that opportunities are provided to more junior staff so that they too can build their skills and strengthen work in NTDs across Uganda. Edridah is often seen working in the field and her top priority is always the health and safety of Ugandans which she places ahead of her own personal gain. Edridah is currently working in the Vector Control Division at the Ministry of Health in Uganda and is also a WHO advisor for Ghana and Eritrea.
Finalists for the Leadership Award
Ifeoma Anagbogu (55 years old, Nigeria)
Ifeoma is leading one of the most complex and challenging NTD control and elimination programs on the continent. Her dedication and personal commitment helped earn Nigeria certification by WHO as a guinea worm disease free country. Ifeoma has introduced several innovations in programme management to raise the NTD programme to even higher heights, contributing to improved programme reach and coverage. She is a strong advocate and promoter of integrated and multi sectoral approaches for the implementation of NTD interventions in Nigeria.
Valsa Augustine (India)
Valsa has been working in NTDs in India for more than 25 years. During this time she has seen first-hand how the fear and stigma surrounding leprosy can ruin lives; and how medical, physical and mental health treatment makes all the difference in reintegrating patients back to their homes and into society. Valsa works tirelessly, providing one-on-one counselling to leprosy patients and providing support to their families. She has helped to create rehabilitation programs for patients and introduced vital vocational training for people affected by leprosy including printing, tailoring, embroidery, pottery and carpet weaving.
Dr Muth Sinoun (Cambodia)
Helping to ensure that the most vulnerable children in Cambodia are no longer at risk for NTDs is the major inspiration behind the dedicated career of Dr. Muth Sinuon, Head of the NTD Program of the National Center for Malaria Control, Parasitology, and Entomology (CNM). Dr Sinoun developed and supported the implementation of the national NTD strategy, which led to a significant reduction in the burden of schistosomiasis and lymphatic filariasis in Cambodia. She has a strong interest in interventions at community level and has worked hard to forge links with the water, sanitation, and animal health sectors in Cambodia in order to develop a comprehensive plan to eliminate schistosomiasis.