Egypt’s Amr Kandeel wins Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion 2026

Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population announced on Sunday that Amr Kandeel, Deputy Minister of Health, has won the 2026 Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion in recognition of more than 25 years of contributions to Egyptian and regional public health.

The award, decided by the World Health Organisation’s Executive Board, will be presented in May 2026 during the 79th World Health Assembly’s plenary session, attended by the WHO Director-General and a representative of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Under Kandeel’s leadership, Egypt’s preventive medicine system achieved several major milestones, including WHO certifications for the elimination of polio, measles, rubella, trachoma, and malaria, making Egypt the first African country to reach these benchmarks. The country also became the first in the Eastern Mediterranean region to control hepatitis B among children.

The ministry highlighted Kandeel’s role in advancing infection control and tackling antimicrobial resistance, with five hospitals earning international accreditation. He also contributed to the digital transformation of immunisation systems, birth and death registration, epidemiological surveillance, and quarantine management. Additionally, 129 primary care units have been accredited, with state-funded treatment implemented in 100 units.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English