The World Health Organization Regional Director for Africa, Dr Ebrahim M. Samba, has been selected for this year's Distinguished Service Award of the New York-based International Health Medical Education Consortium (IHMEC).

The award is bestowed on individuals recognized for their outstanding and dedicated leadership in international health.

In a note to Dr Samba announcing his "unanimous" choice by IHMEC's Award Committee for the award, the organization's President, Dr David Hunt, said: "This Award is in recognition of your extraordinary achievements in improving the health of all Africans, and for your outstanding leadership and tireless commitment to the fight against diseases of poverty plaguing Africa. Your work is a source of inspiration and hope for us who are dedicated to equity in global health."

Dr Hunt, who is also the Associate Dean of University of Washington's School of Medicine, indicated that the award would be conferred on Dr Samba at a ceremony in New York on 6 March 2003.

The IHMEC Award is the highest bestowed by the organization on an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution towards improving the health of underserved populations around the globe. Past recipients include, Nobel Peace Laureate and former President of Costa Rica, Mr. Oscar Arias; Dr George Alleyne, a former Director of the Pan American Health organization, and Dr Jack Byrant, co-author of the WHO's Health for All Strategy.

IHMEC, established in 1991, is a consortium of more than 80 medical schools in the United States and Canada. The organization is dedicated to advancing education and research in international health. It also aims at building partnerships of academic institutions and health practitioners around the globe.

The IHMEC Distinguished Service Award is the second major international honour bestowed in the last ten years on Dr Samba whose career in international public health spans over four decades.

In 1992, Dr Samba won the prestigious Africa Prize of the Hunger Project for his exceptional leadership in the management of the Ouagadougou-based Onchorcerciasis Control Programme (OCP) into its final stage in eradicating river blindness in 11 oncho-endemic countries in West Africa.

For further information, please contact: Samuel T. Ajibola 
Public Information and Communication Unit 
World Health Organization - Regional Office for Africa 
P.O. Box 6, Brazzaville, Congo 
Tel: 1 321 953 9378; Fax 1 321 953 9513 
Email: ajibolas [at] afro.who.int