2010 Dignity and Right to Health Award

ICMDA HIV INITIATIVE 2010 DIGNITY AND RIGHT TO HEALTH AWARDS

The joint winners of the 2010 Dignity and Right to Health award are Dr Gisela Schneider begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting from Germany and Dr Joseph, Kwong Jeung Yu from Taiwan.

Dr Gisela Schneider begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting - has worked for many years in West Africa, East Africa and now more recently in Europe. Working in multiple settings she has been and continues to be a strong advocate and role model for many through her excellence in several fields of the HIV challenge, including clinical work, community engagement and mobilisation, and teaching. Dr Schneider is an exceptional person who has demonstrated an incarnational ministry in Gambia and Uganda and now continues to seek to bring Christian healing and compassion to people in many other countries through the work of Difaem, the German Medical Missionary Association. Gisela continues as a great role
model for all. Her work in the many fields of HIV medicine and community responses has been of the highest calibre.

Dr. Joseph, Kwong-Leung Yu has done excellent work in both his home country of Taiwan and also for many years in the nation of Malawi. He energetically worked at setting up a model of how to eliminate discrimination and stigmatization of HIV/AIDS in the public domain. He actively participated with PLWHA groups to encourage and ensure the enhancement of public awareness. Dr Yu is an exceptional person whose ministry is growing. He now represents Kingdom values in many other countries as well as continuing to serve the people of Malawi as Director of the Rainbow clinic. He has established and strengthened a comprehensive multi-level program in an area of great need in Northern Malawi working closely with government and local church communities. A journal article on the challenges facing Malawi prisoners spoke to us of a Christian man with a great heart to better the lives of those who are marginalised and rejected by many.

It is a great honour and priviledge for the ICMDA to recognise and acknowledge the exceptionally inspiring service and witness of Drs Schneider and Yu to the glory of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We pray for God's presence to be ever with them both.

Previous Award winners

2006 - Dr Biangtung Langkham (India), 2007 - Prof Ruth Nduati (Kenya), 2008 - Dr Geoff Faster (Zimbabwe) and 2009 - Dr Stephen Watiti (Uganda).

Three nominated for the 2010 Dignity and Right to Health Award

Dear ICMDA HIV Initiative friends and colleagues,

We have received three nominations for the 2010 Dignity and Right to Health Award. All are individuals.

The nominees are

1. Dr Gisela Schneider – nominated by Dr Vicky Lavy. Gisela has worked for many years in West Africa, East Africa and now more recently in Europe. She has worked in multiple settings and has been and continues as a strong advocate and role model for many with her excellence in several fields including clinical work and teaching.

Gisela’s work has been focused on developing community based responses that are integrated with government, church, hospital, training institutions, etc. Has an emphasis on building capacity by getting all stakeholders (e.g. churches, hospitals, families) to work to their strengths in addressing HIV.

2. Dr. Joseph, Kwong-Leung YU – nominated by Dr. Herng-Der Chern, M.D, Ph.D. This nominee has done excellent work in both his home country of Taiwan and also for many years in the nation of Malawi. "Dr. Yu has been working in Malawi for 5 years. He strongly tried to set up an example of how to eliminate the discrimination and stigmatization of HIV/AIDS in the public. He actively participated the need group with the enhancement of public awareness."

3. Dr .Geoff Foster (Zimbabwe) nominated by Dr S. W. Hynd – Geoff, a paediatrician, has an outstanding record as a clinician, researcher, writer and advocate for the rights of orphans in Zimbabwe and beyond.

Interviewing processes are continuing. The award winner will be announced prior to World AIDS Day, December 1 2010.

The 2009 winner Dr Stephen Watiti, Of Uganda, continues his important clinical work with the Mildmay group in Kampala, and his important work in media and in advocacy for the rights of HIV infected and effected people.