10 November 2015, Geneva, Switzerland – After receiving a large number of outstanding nominations, six impressive individuals and/or organizations have been shortlisted for the 2015 Kochon Prize. The theme for this year is aimed at highlighting and bringing to attention unsung or unrecognized heroes quietly and tirelessly making everyday miracles happen for the people with TB.
- Asha Kalp, a start-up non-governmental organization bringing a fresh and business-like approach to community case finding and TB treatment support for the rural poor in Central India.
- ASPAT-Peru, a community based non-profit organization founded by a former TB patient, with a persistent and brave team who are endlessly committed to advocating for the rights of TB patients.
- Naomi Wanjiru, a nurse who has, for the past six years, managed a clinic in Central Kenya attending to TB and HIV/AIDS patients while faced with her own personal ordeal with TB.
- Natalya Vezhnina, a medical doctor who has made an immense, globally recognized contribution to the fight against TB in nearly her entire professional life of 40 years.
- Safar Naimov, an MDR-TB survivor who has, amongst other things, provided invaluable support to people with TB, and bridged the gap between care providers and affected communities.
- Volunteer Ladies Against Tuberculosis, a group in the Northern Thailand Province of Chiang Rai who, since 2009, have volunteered their time and money to support people with TB with a motto of “Eradicating TB with women’s hands and hearts”.
“These individuals and organizations are our heroes. Every day, they wake-up, go to work, and quietly serve the children, women, and men with TB. It is with this thought in mind, we wanted to unfold their stories that reveal the best of the TB community. Individuals working in TB, through their acts of service, perseverance, and selflessness, are leading the way to a world without TB” said Dr Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership.
The Kochon Prize, which consists of a USD 65,000 award, has been presented annually for the past nine years to individuals and/or organizations that have made a highly significant contribution to combating TB, a disease that is curable but still causes the deaths of three people every minute. The Prize is fully funded by the Kochon Foundation, which is located in the Republic of Korea.
The 2015 Kochon Prize winner(s) will be awarded in advance of the 46th Union World Conference on Sunday, 29 November in Cape Town, South Africa.
Source: Stop TB Partnership