11 June 2025

Professor Helen Rees Honoured at World Health Assembly for Global Health Contributions

South African public health expert Professor Helen Rees was recently recognized as one of six global champions at the World Health Assembly, receiving the esteemed Dr. Lee Jong-wook Memorial Prize for her significant contributions to global health. This award honours the legacy of Dr. Lee Jong-wook, a former Director-General of the World Health Organization who dedicated his life to improving health outcomes for impoverished communities and played a pivotal role in expanding access to antiretroviral treatment for HIV.

Rees expressed that receiving this award is a tremendous personal honour and a lifetime recognition of her work's global impact in public health. She emphasized that this achievement is also a proud moment for South Africa, showcasing the exceptional scientists in the country whose efforts are making a difference on a global scale.

In light of recent U.S. funding cuts, Rees addressed the pressing question facing the African region regarding sustainable health models. She noted that while donor support from high-income countries has been invaluable, it has never been a sustainable solution. According to her, health service delivery ultimately falls under the responsibility of governments, and South Africa acknowledges this reality. However, many lower-income countries across the continent still face significant challenges in fully funding essential health services.

Rees believes that withdrawing donor funding is not the solution. Instead, she advocates for a smarter, more strategic approach that continues support while prioritizing programs and countries most in need. For nations like South Africa, there is an expectation to self-fund most health services. However, she highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration in research, stating that health challenges such as pandemics, tuberculosis, HIV, and non-communicable diseases require multi-country studies and shared solutions.

Addressing policymakers, Rees emphasized that research is fundamental to the development of every country, regardless of income level. She pointed out that healthcare is expensive, and even wealthy nations struggle to fund it effectively. Therefore, innovation is crucial, as new tools, treatments, and delivery models can enhance efficiency and improve health outcomes.

Rees praised African institutions like Wits RHI for demonstrating their capability to lead world-class research and deliver practical solutions. She reiterated that Africa is part of a global ecosystem, where advancements in vaccines, diagnostics, and care delivery strategies benefit everyone. Continued investment in African-led research is not merely support; it represents smart, forward-thinking global collaboration that can drive progress in health outcomes across the continent and beyond.