30 June 2011 - Geneva - Nominations for the 2011 Stop TB Partnership-Kochon Prize are being accepted until 31 July. Funded by the Kochon Foundation, a non-profit foundation registered in the Republic of Korea, the US$ 65 000 prize is awarded once a year to persons, institutions, or organizations that have made a highly significant contribution to combating tuberculosis (TB).
Recognized national health bodies of WHO Member States, Stop TB partners, or former recipients of the prize may submit nominations. Nominees should have significant and documented achievements in the development of anti-TB systems or policies, or in the areas of TB research, advocacy and communication.
In 2010, the prize was awarded to Dr. Armand Van Deun, a Belgian scientist and international leader in quality TB laboratory testing. Developing a system for reliable testing and educating laboratory leaders worldwide to ensure proper TB diagnosis, Dr. Van Deun demonstrated exceptional commitment to the global fight against TB. Other winners of the Prize include Ms Lucy Chesire, Professor Emeritus Denis Mitchison and the Ministry of Health, People's Republic of China.
The Kochon Prize was established in 2006 in honour of the late Chairman Chong-Kun Lee ("Kochon") who was committed throughout his career to improving access to low-cost lifesaving antibiotics and anti-TB drugs.
The name of the 2011 winner will be announced in October 2011 at the 42nd Union World Conference on Lung Health in Lille, France.
The nomination form and detailed instructions can be found on the Kochon Prize website.