Dr. Ahmed Ogwell Ouma, Acting Director of the Africa CDC

In recognition of her role and sacrifice in containing the first case of the West African Ebola Virus Disease epidemic in Nigeria, Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh (OON), received the first Africa CDC-DRASA Health Trust Continental Award for Emergency Health Workers on Tuesday, December 13th.

The award presentation, which marked the official launch of the annual Award for Emergency Health Workers, took place during the 2nd International Conference on Public Health (CPHIA), held in Kigali, Rwanda, Africa’s land of a thousand hills.

Dr. Adadevoh previously earned posthumous recognitions from the government of Nigeria–the National Productivity Order of Merit Award and the Officer of the Order of Niger Award in 2022– however this award is the first of its kind for the continent to honor African health workers who play a major role in securing our health security in the face of public health threats. An award by Africans, for Africans.

Receiving the award on her behalf were DRASA’s Chairman of the Board, Mr. Bankole Cardoso and Managing Director, Niniola Williams.

Presenting the award at the event, Dr. Ouma Ahmed Ogwell, Acting Director of the Africa CDC, appreciated the efforts of Dr. Adadevoh and highlighted that the initiative of recognizing and rewarding emergency health workers will continue to take place yearly, through a series of careful nominations and selections.

“This award is named after Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, a Nigerian physician, who in 2014, during the devastating Ebola outbreak in W. Africa, managed the first patient in Nigeria, got infected in the process, and died. Succumbing to the disease, in her words she said it was ‘For the greater public good’. There is no greater sacrifice than giving your life knowingly so that you can protect 200 million Nigerians and over 1 billion Africans… We at Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have decided to name this award after her, in recognition of her selfless sacrifice, her work, and her efforts, of protecting her for the greater public good.” Dr. Ahmed Ogwell said.

Dr. Ahmed Ogwell Ouma, Acting Director of the Africa CDC and DRASA’s Chairman of the Board, Mr. Bankole Cardoso

The CPHIA is an annual event which kickstarted in 2021 with 12,000 attendees. The platform offers a unique platform for African leaders, researchers, policymakers and stakeholders to share scientific findings and public health perspectives and collaborate on research, innovation and public health across the continent. This year’s edition was focused on helping further Africa CDC’s mission to “strengthen Africa’s public health institutions’ capacities, capabilities, and partnerships to prevent, detect and respond quickly and effectively to disease threats based on science, evidence-based policy, and data-driven interventions and programs”.

DRASA’s Chairman of the Board, Mr. Bankole Cardoso and Managing Director, Niniola Williams receiving the award

To relive the moment of this achievement in honor of Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, watch the replay on YouTube and stay tuned to learn more about the Africa CDC-DRASA Continental Awards for Emergency Health Workers.