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King Confers Prince Mahidol Award 2003 To Winners
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej conferred the honorable Prince Mahidol Award 2003 to two selected winners here today.
The presentation ceremony was graciously held at the Chakri Throne Hall at 05:30 p.m.
The winner of the Prince Mahidol Award 2003 in the field of medicine is China Cooperative Research Group on Quinghaosu and its Derivatives as Anti-malarials; while the winner in the field of public health is Prof. M.D. Herbert L. Needleman of the United States.
Qinghao (Artemisia annia L.) is a traditional Chiness herb which has been used in China for treating malaria for more than 1,500 years.
In 1971, Chiness scientists extracted a compound from qinghao, named Qinghaosu (artemisinine), which is an anti-malarial.
The China Cooperative Research Group on Qinghaosu and its Derivatives as Anti-malarials was subsequently established to conduct research on qinghaosu throughout China.
The research group studied Qinghaosu and its derivatives - the chemical structure, the synthesis, pharmacology, toxicology and clinical studies.
The medicine was found to be effective on P.vivax and the P.falciparum malaria, especially P.falciparum malaria, which is resistant to the chloroquine drug.
Therefore, the discovery of qinghaosu is of significance, as it serves as a new drug for treatment of the P.falciparum malaria.
Since its discovery, the qinghaosu has saved millions of malaria patients worldwide.
Prof. M.D. Needleman is professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, in the United States.
He has made significant contributions to the understanding and prevention of childhood lead poisoning.
Through a series of epidemiologic studies, Prof. M.D. Needleman found that even in the low dose exposure, lead can cause irreversible damage to the brain and nervous system of children with resultant lifelong loss of intelligence, alteration of behavior and impairment of health.
The findings by Prof. M.D. Needleman have had major implications for the public health policy, and have influenced campaigns to reduce the use of lead, a major component in industrial products, such as children's toys, interior paint and gasoline.
His findings also provided the stimulus to nations around the world, including Thailand, to remove lead from gasoline supplies.
In all, Prof. M.D. Needleman has made an extraordinary contribution to the betterment of public health worldwide.
Her Royal Highness Pricess Maha Chaki Sirindhorn will host a dinner banquet in honour of the awardees this year at the Sala Sahathai in the Grand Palace at 08:00 p.m.
The Prince Mahidol Award Foundation under Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King was established on 1 January, 1992 in commemoration of the centenary of the birth of His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol, the late Prince Father.
Two awards are conferred annually upon individual(s), or institution(s), which have demonstrated outstanding and exemplary contributions to the advancement of medical, public health and human services throughout the world.
The awards are conferred by His Majesty the King at the Chaki Throne Hall in the Grand Palace in January every year.
Each award consists of a medal, a certificate, and a cash prize of US $ 50,000.
