Thai King To Personally Confer Medical Awards On 3 Recipients

[Jai Dee]

Thai King to personally confer medical awards on 3 recipients

King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 80, will later this month personally confer Thailand's most prestigious medical award on three recipients including a German, Australian and Nepalese, officials said Wednesday.

On January 30 the king will confer the Prince Mahidol Award, which includes a 50,000 dollar purse, on German national Professor Axel Ullrich, Australian Professor Basil Stuart Hetzel and Nepalese Doctor Sanduk Ruit, winners of the 2007 awards.

A special prize for the three recipients will be the honour of receiving them in person from King Bhumibol, the world's longest-reigning monarch.

"Nowadays, we can say, the king rarely presides over ceremonies anymore, but for this ceremony he will come," said Suphat Vanichakarn, Secretary General of the Prince Mahidol Foundation.

"The award may not be so much, but what the winners get is the pride of having received them from the king himself," said Suphat.

King Bhumibol turned 80 on December 5, 2007. In 2006 the Thai monarch celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ascension to the throne.

The Prince Mahidol Foundation was set up in 1992 to honour the centenary of the Prince Mahidol, the father of King Bhumibol who was a doctor by training and is credited for helping to introduce modern medicine to Thailand.

The Prince Mahidol Award has been granted to 47 medical innovators since 1992.

The three winners of the 2007 awards were picked from among 69 nominees from 35 different countries.

The winners include Germany's Ullrich, who played a leading role in the study of the molecular mechanisms of cancer and pioneered the concept of "targeted cancer therapy".

Ullrich ranked ninth among the most cited scientists during 1983 to 2002.

The other recipients include Australia's Hetzel, one of the world's leading experts in the adverse affects of iodine deficiency, and Nepal's Ruit, who developed an effective suture-less operation technique that allows operations to be performed on patients living in remote areas.

Source: DPA - 24 January 2008

[Jai Dee]

German, Australian and Nepalese Doctors win the Prince Mahidol Award 2007

On 27 November 2007, the Prince Mahidol Award Foundation under the Royal Patronage held a press conference to announce the Prince Mahidol Award for 2007 at the Prince Mahidol Museum, Syamindra Building, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital. The press conference was participated by Clinical Professor Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn (Dean of Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, in the capacity of Vice President of the Board of Trustees of the Prince Mahidol Award Foundation), Professor Vicharn Panich (Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee and of the International Award Committee of the Prince Mahidol Award), Clinical Professor Supat Vanichakarn (Secretary-General of the Prince Mahidol Award) and Mr. Tharit Charungvat (Director-General of Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the capacity of the Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Public Relations of the Prince Mahidol Award). Presented at the press conference were also Mr. William Paterson, Australian Ambassador, Mr. Arjun Kant Mainali, Charge d’Affaires of the Royal Nepalese Embassy, and Dr. Michael-Johannes Banzhaf Minister Counsellor of the German Embassy.

The Board of Trustees of the Prince Mahidol Award chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn decided on 20 November 2007 to confer the Prince Mahidol Award 2007 in the field of medicine to Professor Axel Ullrich, Director of Molecular Biology at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Germany, and the Prince Mahidol Award 2007 in the field of public health to Professor Basil Stuart Hetzel, Chairman Emeritus of the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD), Australia, and Dr. Sanduk Ruit, Medical Director of Tilganga Eye Centre, Kathmandu, Nepal.

In the Field of Medicine

Professor Axel Ullrich has played a leading role in the study of molecular mechanisms of cancer and pioneering the concept of ‘targeted cancer therapy’. Consequently, the development of drugs that act specifically at the targeted areas offers better efficacy in killing cancer cells while doing less harm to normal cells and, therefore, reducing the side effect of cancer treatment.

Professor Ullrich discovered and evaluated the biological and clinical significance of a breast oncogene called HER2/c-erbB2 and found that patients with this type of cancer experience critical and rapidly-spreading tumors. His laboratory then developed several monoclonal antibodies against HER2, one of which was subsequently humanized and developed into Herceptin (Trastuzumab) as a therapeutic for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. As patients with HER2-type cancer have responded very well to the treatment, this targeted therapy which Professor Ullrich developed became a model for therapy experiments targeting other types of cancers.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women around the world. Over 1.2 million people are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and more than 500,000 die from this cancer. Professor Ullrich’s contribution in the field of targeted cancer therapy has therefore opened a new era for all cancer treatment methods. It has inspired subsequent development of therapeutics for other types of cancers and has benefited lives of millions of people around the world.

In the Field of Public Health

Professor Basil Stuart Hetzel is a world leading scientist who has extensively studied the adverse effect of iodine deficiency upon human health, particularly upon the development of the human brain. He is also a key figure in the global campaign against iodine deficiency disorders.

Between 1976 and 1985, Professor Hetzel and his team demonstrated the effect of iodine deficiency on brain development and the central nerve system. He showed that severe iodine deficiency can lead to maternal and fetal hypothyroidism which cause endemic cretinism and mental retardation. His studies also proved that the IQ of children who have resided in areas with iodine deficiency decreased by 13.5 points in comparison to the IQ of children in areas without iodine deficiency. This serious illness can be prevented by providing iodine to women during the reproductive period before conception.

Professor Hetzel founded and became the first executive director of the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD). The Council has helped promote the comprehensive use of iodized salt in the consumption goods, food industries, and livestock sectors in approximately 100 countries. This work has affected more than 2 billion people around the world.

Professor Hetzel’s work led to the popular use of the term “Iodine Deficiency Disorders” and increased the awareness of the harmful effects of iodine deficiency. Professor Hetzel’s endeavors against the iodine deficiency have made a significant contribution to the proper development of human population around the world, including Thailand.

Dr. Sanduk Ruit introduced and further developed an effective suture-less operation technique that allows rapid operations to be performed for a large number of patients in remote locations. He has also played a leadership role in the manufacturing of inexpensive high-quality intraocular lenses for this operation, costing 50 times less than lenses imported from other countries. Working in Nepal, Dr. Ruit established eye centers as well as mobile eye clinics for treating patients with cataract in Nepal and the Himalayan region, which later extended to other countries including China, India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Vietnam and North Korea.

Furthermore, Dr. Ruit and his team have trained more than 500 eye surgeons and healthcare personnel from both developed and developing countries in Asia, North America, Europe, and Australia on this cost-effective and portable technique of eye surgery, resulting in more than 35 millions cataract operations around the world.

As an ophthalmologist in a developing country, Dr. Sanduk Ruit is internationally recognized for his tireless work in restoring the eye sights of millions of cataract patients in poor countries through safe, effective and economical surgery. His comprehensive cataract treatment, extending from operational method, medical equipment, to public health service, has benefited millions of lives throughout the world.

Their Majesties the King and the Queen have graciously consented to preside over the Presentation Ceremony of the Prince Mahidol Award 2007 on Wednesday 30th January 2008 at 17.30 hours at the Chakri Throne hall. As His Majesty the King’s representative, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over the dinner in honour of the Prince Mahidol Awardees 2007 at the Boromrajasathitmaholarn Throne hall on the same day at 20.00 hours.

The Prince Mahidol Award Foundation was established on January 1st, 1992 in commemoration of the centenary of the birth of His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol. The Foundation is under Royal Patronage, with Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn as president. The Prince Mahidol Award are conferred annually upon individual(s) or institution(s), which have demonstrated outstanding and exemplary contributions to the advancement of medicine, public health and social services throughout the world. Each Award consists of a medal, a certificate and a sum of US $50,000.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand - November 29, 2007

[Jai Dee]

Foreign doctors honoured

Australian, German and Nepalese to receive Prince Mahidol Award

His Majesty the King will present the Prince Mahidol Award to three physicians from Germany, Australia and Nepal for their accomplishments in medicine and public health.

The awards have been conferred annually since 1992 to individuals or institutions that have demonstrated outstanding and exemplary contributions to global medical advancement.

An award will go to Professor Axel Ullrich, director of molecular biology at the Max Planck Institution Biochemis-try, Germany, in the field of medicine.

Australia's Professor Basil Stuart Hetzel, chairman emeritus of the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders, will receive an award for public heath.

Nepal's Dr Sanduk Ruit, medical director of Tilganga Eye Centre, will also receive a similar award. Professor Ullrich has played a leading role in the study of molecular mechanisms of cancer and pioneering the concept of targeted cancer therapy.

The development of drugs that act specially at the targeted areas provides a more efficient way of killing cancer cells without too much harm to normal cells and reducing the side-effects of cancer treatment.

A leading scientist, Professor Hetzel has extensively studied the adverse effects of iodine deficiency on people, particularly in its effects on the development of the brain.

He is also a key figure in the global campaign against iodine deficiency disorders.

Dr Ruit introduced and further developed an effective sutureless operation techni-que that allows rapid operations to be performed on a large number of patients in remote areas.

He played a leadership role in the manufacture of inexpensive high-quality intraocular lenses for this operation, costing 50 times less than imported ones.

The award winners will be granted a royal audience at the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall on Wednesday.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over a dinner to honour the awardees the same day.

Source: The Nation - 28 January 2008

[Jai Dee]

HM presides over Mahidol Awards

His Majesty the King will graciously preside over this evening's resentation of the Prince Mahidol Awards for medicine and public health to three physicians from Germany, Australia and Nepal.

Two of the honoured physicians, Professor Axel Ullrich and Dr Sanduk Ruit, yesterday revealed that His Majesty's father Prince Mahidol was their source of inspiration.

Ruit, medical director of the Tilganga Eye Centre in Nepal, said Prince Mahidol was his role model and his motivation for choosing to work for the poor.

He has heard that the prince had graduated and went abroad to further his studies, before coming back to his homeland to develop this country and work for his people. This inspired him to serve patients with compassion.

Ruit and Professor Basil Stuart Hetzel, chairman emeritus of the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders in Australia, were both recognised for their achievements in public health.

Ullrich, director of molecular biology at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Germany, said he was impressed by the activities of Prince Mahidol and the Royal Family, which has done much for society here.

Poor people should benefit from com-petition among big pharmaceutical companies, which would drive down the price of drugs and allow them greater access to drugs in the near future, he said.

The rivalry would also help firms reduce and eliminate side effects from using drugs, particularly those for cancer.

Ullrich won this year's award for the field of medicine. He has played a leading role in the study of the molecular mechanisms of cancer and pioneered the concept of targeted cancer therapy.

The recipients will be granted a royal audience at the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall. They will receive a prize of Bt1.5 million each.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over a gala dinner to honour the awardees in the evening.

The Prince Mahidol Awards have been conferred annually since 1992 upon individuals or institutions demonstrating outstanding and exemplary contributions to the advancement of medicine and public health for humanity.

Hetzel said it was a great honour to receive the award from His Majesty.

He said seeing patients recover and lead a normal life was the inspiration for him to conduct his work and research.

He suggests Thai scientists and medical workers look for a cure for malaria.

"Malaria is a major problem for public health here in Thailand and other parts of the world. Even if the research will not bring fame to those who are studying it, it could help those in the rest of the world waiting for treatment," he said.

Source: The Nation - 30 January 2008