By Ron Chen, Correspondent ASEAN Region

 Kuwait’s Al-Sumait Prize for African Development Monday announced an extension for nominations to be received for its 2021 award for health to the middle of August 2021.

The decision to extend the deadline was due to the repercussions of the COVID19-pandemic and the subsequent challenges being faced by African researchers, research centers, and healthcare organizations.

The Health category includes but is not limited to initiatives, programme, and research projects in the following areas:  Combating the prevalence of diseases in Africa, with a special focus on the utilization of effective frameworks and programmes, to address and manage health crises such as SARS, COVID-19, and infectious zoonotic diseases; National capacity building in medical research and medical education; Upgrading and maintenance of national medical facilities; Developing national health policies and successful implementation of the outcomes.

Eligible candidates include organizations and research institutions whose initiatives and programmes contributed significantly to solving health challenges in Africa, as well as outstanding researchers who are nominated by their institutions and peers.