The name of Indonesia now has been echoed in the Assembly Hall of the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva when Syamsi Dhuha Foundation (SDF) from Indonesia received the Sasakawa Health Prize 2012 given by the President of the 65th WHO session, Prof. Therese N'Dri Yoman, and witnessed by Director General of WHO (World Health Organization), Dr. Margaret Chan (05/24).
SDF is selected and awarded the Sasakawa Health Prize 2012 as a token of appreciation and respect to which the foundation has demonstrated its commitment in innovation and various activities that have attracted the attention of governments and communities in tackling Lupus in the country.
The delegation of WHO member states who witnessed the bestowal seemed touched and moved, as the founder and chairman of the Foundation, Mrs. Dian Sharif, was given the opportunity to deliver a speech in English from the podium of the UN Assembly Hall building. She gave a very inspiring message in her speech: that the struggle of people with Lupus to survive and recover from the impact of the disease is a hard struggle, but the disease also encourages them to be more grateful for their life.
Sasakawa Awards have been given since 1984 at the initiative of Mr. Ryoichi Sasakawa from Japan, addressed to institutions, individuals, NGOs or other agencies that develop innovations in the field of health development. Individuals and institutions from Indonesia who have received the awards are PKK (Family Welfare Development) in 1988 and dr. Handojo Tjandrakusuma in 1992.
Permanent Representative of Indonesia to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani, who was also present, in particular expressed his appreciation and congratulations to the co-founder of the Foundation, Mrs. Dian Syarief and Mr. Eko Pratomo.
"The achievement of SDF, is a form of their contribution to humanity and to Indonesia. Mrs. Dian and Mr. Eko’s achievement with the foundation has helped the effort of humanitarian diplomacy of Indonesia in international forums," as told by Ambassador Dian in the release for Portal Kemlu.
SDF, found in 2003, has been instrumental in promoting Lupus disease management through Care for Lupus program and providing supports to people with lupus; creating Care for Low Vision program, assisting people with lack of vision; and several other community activities, such as the provision of medical and health facilities, health education, inter-religious activities, and fundraising for zakat, infak and sadaqah.
At the bestowal ceremony at the 65th Session of the WHO, other health prizes were also given, among others, to individuals and institutions of the Philliphines, Turkey, New Zealand, China, and Sudan. (Source:PTRI Jenewa/Ed.PY)