The REMAPSEN Awards
ceremony, featuring prizes named after former UNAIDS Executive Director Dr
Michel Sidibé, was held on 6 December in Dakar, Senegal. During this event, the
African Media Network for Health and Environmental Promotion (REMAPSEN) paid a
special tribute to Dr Michel Sidibé by presenting him with a special
recognition award.
Through Mrs Line Renée Batongué,
CRTV (Cameroon) journalist, REMAPSEN Vice-President for Environmental Promotion
and Awards Director, this distinction was established not only to encourage
African journalists to increase their engagement in promoting health,
environment, human rights and gender issues, but also to honour a great servant
of Africa in the health and environmental sectors, Dr Michel Sidibé.
Dr Michel Sidibé served as
United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, UNAIDS Executive Director, and
Mali's Minister of Health and Social Affairs. He has dedicated over 44 years to
global health, consistently emphasising people-centred policies. His vision of
zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths
inspired global action and redefined worldwide HIV response efforts. His
90-90-90 targets established a transformative framework, enabling more than 25
million people to access life-saving treatments under his leadership at UNAIDS.
Dr Sidibé's unwavering
commitment to Africa's health sovereignty remains central to his work. He has
consistently advocated for local pharmaceutical production and improved access
to high-quality medicines and vaccines. He continues to shape Africa's health
landscape by aligning strategies with the African Union's Agenda 2063 vision,
where he serves as Special Envoy for the African Medicines Agency (AMA). These
revolutionary contributions and dedication have earned this trained economist
international recognition, including honorary doctorates and a seat on the
Global Commission on Drug Policy. His mission is clear: advancing Africa's
health autonomy and dismantling global inequalities.
As an tireless advocate for health equity and African-led solutions, and in his role as African Union Special Envoy for the African Medicines Agency (AMA), Dr Sidibé has driven the rapid ratification of the AMA Treaty, enabling its implementation in November 2021, surpassing all expectations.
It is fitting that REMAPSEN has requested Dr Michel Sidibé to sponsor the REMAPSEN Awards, which annually recognise the continent's best journalists in health and environmental sectors and the network's top national coordinating bodies.
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