Call for Nominations: 2026 WHO South-East Asia Public Health Champion Award

May 18, 2026 Jennifer Chen Health
News Context
At a glance
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the call for nominations for the 2026 WHO South-East Asia Public Health Champion Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to public health in...
  • The WHO South-East Asia Region, which includes 11 countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Timor-Leste—faces persistent public health...
  • Nominations are open to a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, healthcare professionals, researchers, civil society organizations, and private sector entities.
Original source: who.int

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the call for nominations for the 2026 WHO South-East Asia Public Health Champion Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to public health in the WHO South-East Asia Region. The award aims to honor individuals, organizations, or initiatives that have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact in advancing health equity, disease prevention, and health system strengthening.

The WHO South-East Asia Region, which includes 11 countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Timor-Leste—faces persistent public health challenges, from infectious diseases to non-communicable conditions and health disparities. The award seeks to spotlight those whose work has made a measurable difference in addressing these challenges, particularly in areas such as universal health coverage, maternal and child health, infectious disease control, and health workforce development.

Nominations are open to a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, healthcare professionals, researchers, civil society organizations, and private sector entities. The selection process will evaluate contributions based on their alignment with the WHO’s South-East Asia Regional Health Sector Strategy 2025–2030, which prioritizes health equity, resilience, and sustainable development.

Why This Award Matters

The 2026 award underscores the WHO’s commitment to recognizing grassroots and large-scale efforts that improve public health outcomes across the region. Past recipients have included frontline workers, policymakers, and innovators whose initiatives have had ripple effects—from vaccine campaigns to digital health solutions. This year’s focus may include:

  • Innovative health interventions: Programs that have successfully scaled up solutions for diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, or dengue.
  • Health system strengthening: Efforts to improve primary healthcare access, medical supply chains, or data systems.
  • Community engagement: Initiatives that empower local populations to take ownership of their health.
  • Policy advocacy: Leadership in shaping laws or regulations that protect public health.

According to the WHO, the award is not merely symbolic but aims to amplify successful models that can be replicated across the region. For instance, past winners have included a community health worker program in Nepal that reduced maternal mortality by leveraging local midwives, and a digital platform in India that improved disease surveillance through real-time data sharing.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

While the WHO has not released a detailed eligibility list, past guidelines suggest that nominations will be assessed based on:

  • Impact**: The scale and depth of the nominee’s contribution to public health.
  • Innovation**: Novel approaches or adaptations of existing solutions.
  • Sustainability**: Long-term feasibility and potential for broader adoption.
  • Equity**: Efforts to reach marginalized or underserved populations.

Nominations are expected to be submitted through official WHO channels, with a deadline typically set in the latter half of 2026. The winning recipients will be announced in early 2027, with recognition at a regional or global health forum.

Broader Context: Public Health in the South-East Asia Region

The WHO South-East Asia Region is home to nearly 2 billion people, with diverse health landscapes. While progress has been made—such as a 30% reduction in under-5 mortality since 2000 (per WHO Health Statistics 2025)—gaps persist. For example:

  • Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for over 60% of all deaths in the region, driven by rising obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular risks.
  • Infectious diseases like tuberculosis remain a challenge, with 4.5 million new cases reported annually (WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2025).
  • Health workforce shortages persist, particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas.
  • Climate change exacerbates health vulnerabilities, increasing the spread of vector-borne diseases and heat-related illnesses.

the Public Health Champion Award serves as a catalyst for sharing best practices and fostering collaboration. For instance, the 2025 award highlighted a mobile health clinic initiative in Bangladesh that provided primary care to over 500,000 people in remote districts, demonstrating how targeted interventions can bridge systemic gaps.

How to Get Involved

Individuals and organizations interested in nominating a candidate or learning more about the award should:

  • Monitor the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office website for official announcements.
  • Review past award criteria and winners for inspiration (available via WHO archives).
  • Engage with national public health authorities to identify local champions.

The award not only celebrates achievements but also serves as a call to action for sustained investment in public health. As the WHO emphasizes, Every life saved, every disease prevented, and every health system strengthened is a testament to the power of collective effort.

For updates, follow the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office or contact their communications team via the official channels.