Peruvian district wins Sasakawa Health Prize for overcoming anemia in children

Iguain's success was crowned with the Sasakawa Health Prize, an international award conferred by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The prize was handed out during the 72nd session of the World Health Assembly, which convened from May 20-28 in Geneva.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Nippon Foundation Executive Director Ichiro Kabasawa, and other authorities were present at the event.

"On behalf of Peru and, particularly, of Andean and Amazon indigenous peoples who fight chronic malnutrition and anemia, I am grateful for this award conferred to former Mayor of Iguain district Eusebio Quispe, which is also a testimony of the efforts and achievements made by people and authorities of this province in Ayacucho region to prevent children's motor-cognitive development, and their capacity to become happy well rounded women and men, from being affected by anemia," Director General of International Cooperation at Peru's Ministry of Health Wieslawa de Pawlikowski said.

According to the official, the experience of the Iguain community proves this, as well as the leadership of authorities —and supportive locals— concerned about children and youth's future.

"Anemia is cruel, cuts short lives and future. Based on the intersectoral principle of the Almaty Conference, the Peruvian State implements a Multisectoral Plan to Fight Anemia, which brings together all State sectors under the lead of the President of the Republic and has gathered legislators, politicians, media, civil society and, more importantly, citizens from all over the country," De Pawlikowski underscored.

The prize was established in 1984 upon the initiative and with funds provided by Mr. Ryoichi, Chairman of the Japan Shipbuilding Industry Foundation and President of the Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation.

The Sasakawa Health Prize consists of a statuette and a sum of the order of US$30,000 to be given to one or more persons, institutions or non-governmental organizations having accomplished outstanding innovative work in health development, in order to encourage the further development of such work.

(END) NDP/MAO/RMB/MVB