Jacinto Convit

AWARD LAUREATES | Jacinto Convit


Jacinto Convit

Discoverer of the Vaccine for Leprosy

Dr Jacinto Convit was recognised by Gold Mercury International in 1981 for his contributions to Global Health, developing a vaccine to combat leprosy. Dr Convit entered medical school in 1932 at the Central University of Venezuela and it was here that he gained the title of Medical Science Doctor in 1938. Dr Convit was appointed Venezuelan Physician of the Servicios Antileprosos in 1946 and subsequently worked with a team to diagnose 18,000 cases of leprosy across the country. By 1949 his work had ensured the creation of between one and two sanitary dermatology service centres in every state. His untiring work led to the Organización Panamericana de Salud (OPS) to send medical personnel to receive training from Dr Convit in Venezuela and he encouraged them to acknowledge the feelings and suffering patients experienced because of the disease. In 1968 he became the President of the International Leprosy Association (ILA) and created the Instituto de Dermatología, later called Instituto de Biomedicine de Caracas (IBC) which he has led since 1972. Dr Convit was later successful in his attempts to help control the spread of the disease through his discovery of the leprosy vaccine. His contribution to the advancement of medical science has been invaluable and his lifelong dedication to researching and fighting diseases continues to have an impact on world health today.

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Dr. Robert Gallo

AWARD LAUREATES | Dr. Robert Gallo


Dr. Robert Gallo

Director of the Institute of Human Virology

Dr Robert Gallo was presented with the 2006 Gold Mercury Health & Science Award for his pioneering work in the field of virology.  Dr Gallo has made numerous significant discoveries which have led to diagnostic and therapeutic advances in viral diseases.  Notably, his research played a key role in identifying the cause of the AIDS virus, which has greatly assisted in advancing detection and treatment methods associated with HIV/AIDS. He was also the first to identify a human retrovirus and the only known human leukaemia virus. He spent 30 years at the National Institute of Health before becoming the Founder and Director of The Institute of Human Virology. He also recently founded The Global Virus Network which gathers reputed virologists from around the world to face the task of identifying, investigating and controlling viral diseases. His dedication to the fight against viral diseases and the protection of mankind over the years is truly remarkable.

LAUREATE VIDEO


Award Announcement Dr Robert Gallo

Dr Robert Gallo Acceptance Speech Part 1

Dr Robert Gallo Acceptance Speech Part 2

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All Africa Leprosy & Rehabilitation Training Centre

AWARD LAUREATES | All Africa Leprosy & Rehabilitation Training Centre


All Africa Leprosy & Rehabilitation Training Centre

Medical Facility

The All Africa Leprosy & Rehabilitation Training Centre, now called The All Africa Leprosy, Tuberculosis and Rehabilitation Training (ALERT) Centre, won the 1982 Gold Mercury International Humanitarian Award for their advancements in global health. The medical facility, situated in Addis Ababa specialises in Hansen’s disease, also commonly known as leprosy. Their work focuses on the treatment and rehabilitation of patients as well as training programmes for medical professionals who treat leprosy around the world. They also specialise in research into the disease, which is undertaken in their Armauer Hansen Research Institute that was founded in 1970. The leprosy hospital was originally built by Dr Thomas Lambie in 1922, however, ALERT has continued to expand and build upon these foundations.

LAUREATE PHOTOS


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