GENEVA, May 24: The World Health Organization (WHO) has awarded the prestigious His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Prize for the Promotion of Healthy Ageing (2025) to Dr. Huali Wang of China and the Geriatric Healthcare Directorate at the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health.

The announcement was made during a special ceremony held at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva on the sidelines of the WHO's 78th World Health Assembly. The event was attended by Kuwaiti Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Abdulwahab Al-Awadhi, Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva Ambassador Nasser Al-Hayen, Assistant Undersecretary for External Health Services Hisham Kelendar, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, as well as representatives from member states and international health officials.

Dr. Wang, Head of the Clinical Research Department and Director of the Dementia Care and Research Center in China, was recognized for her leading role in developing the country's national geriatric and Alzheimer’s care plans. Her work has included the formation of 150 healthcare teams across 27 regions, implementation of early disease detection programs, and active involvement in health education and caregiver training in partnership with WHO.

Simultaneously, WHO commended the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health’s Geriatric Directorate for its remarkable efforts in elderly care, highlighting the creation of a national strategy for elderly care (2024–2030). The initiative has led to a 40% improvement in services provided to the senior population in Kuwait.

Both recipients were selected following a thorough evaluation by an independent panel, according to WHO. The annual award, which honors outstanding contributions to the health and well-being of the elderly, was established by the State of Kuwait in 2004 in tribute to the humanitarian legacy of the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

In his address to the assembly, Minister Al-Awadhi emphasized that the award reflects Kuwait’s commitment to humanitarian values and its dedication to improving the quality of life for the elderly. He affirmed that elderly care in Kuwait is not merely a duty but a cultural value deeply rooted in the nation's identity.

Al-Awadhi also highlighted Kuwait’s longstanding partnership with the WHO, dating back to 1960, and reaffirmed the country’s ongoing support for global health initiatives. He praised WHO’s leadership in addressing international health challenges and reiterated Kuwait’s role as an active contributor to efforts that promote human dignity and well-being worldwide.

The Sabah Al-Ahmad Global Award stands as one of the pioneering international health recognitions, aimed at supporting vulnerable populations and advancing healthcare systems for the elderly around the world.