GENEVA, May 27 (KUNA) -- Kuwait handed on Friday the prize of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for excellence in scientific research into geriatric care to Dr. Michael Novak from Slovakia for his work on the disease of Alzheimer's.
The prize was handed to the winner by Kuwait's Minister of Health Dr. Ali Al-Obaidi during his attendance of the meeting of the WHO general assembly today.
In a brief tribute to Dr. Novak, Dr. Ali Al-Obaidi said "the choice of Dr. Novak was in recognition of his indefatigable research in finding a cure for Alzheimer's over a period of thirty years." Moreover, the Kuwaiti minister said the prize winner was instrumental in the founding of the Institute of Neuro-immunology- Slovak Academy of Science which was established in 1996 as a specialized research center of neurosciences. During the first decade of its existence the Institute has become the leading institution in neuro-research in Slovakia, especially in diagnosing Alzheimer's and memory loss diseases which are Dr. Novak's specialties.
The minister told the WHO general assembly that Kuwait paid great attention to geriatric medicine and elderly care and supported research in that field.
On his part, and in a similar speech to the general assembly, Dr. Novak said he valued the Kuwaiti prize which reflected Kuwait's interest in scientific research and in the affairs of the elderly, noting at the same time Kuwait's distinguished status as a world humanitarian center.
Following the handing of the prize ceremony, Kuwait's permanent representative to UN and International Organizations in Geneva, Jamal Al-Ghunaim told KUNA that awarding this prize during a WHO general assembly meeting says much about the world's appreciation of Kuwait's contributions in the humanitarian field and in supporting scientific research leading to improving health services for the benefit of all age groups in society including the elderly. (end) ta.ajs