The Government of Japan announced today that Dr. Brian Greenwood and Dr. Miriam Were are recipients of the inaugural Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prizes. Dr. Tachi Yamada, president of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Global Health Program, made the following statement on the awards:

The 2008 Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prizes recognize two extraordinary individuals who have dedicated their lives to improving health in Africa.

I congratulate Dr. Greenwood and Dr. Were on these well-deserved honors.

Their work has had an enormous impact on addressing the inequity in healthcare throughout the world, one of the greatest challenges faced by humanity today.

I also commend the Government of Japan for establishing this important award. It is a testament to Japan's long-term commitment to the development of African nations.

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Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Patty Stonesifer and co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.