Ukrainian Medical Workers Fighting Tuberculosis Amid War Selected as Recipients of the '17th Gochon Award'

Chong Kun Dang Gochon Foundation and UN-affiliated International Tuberculosis Elimination Cooperation Project
Awardees include two Ukrainian medical centers and Director Zhanna Karpenko of the Medical Center

On the afternoon of the 20th (local time), the Chong Kun Dang Gochon Foundation announced on the 21st that it had selected two organizations?the Ukraine Ministry of Health Public Medical Center and the Southern Kherson Tuberculosis Medical Center?and one individual, Ms. Zhanna Karpenko, Director of the Chernihiv Regional Medical Center, as joint recipients of the 17th Gochon Prize, and held the award ceremony at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA.

On the 20th (local time), awardees and officials are posing for a commemorative photo at the 17th Gochon Prize Award Ceremony held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA. From the left: Lucica Ditiu, Executive Secretary of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease; Mel Spigelman, Gochon Prize Selection Committee member; Dr. Yana Terleeva, recipient and member of the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine; Kim Doohyun, Chairman of the Chongkundang Gochon Foundation; and Dr. Olga Gvozdetscka, member of the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.
[Photo by Chongkundang Gochon Foundation]

This year’s Gochon Prize was awarded under the theme of ‘Recognition of medical professionals who do not give up tuberculosis treatment even in conflict zones,’ honoring their contributions in establishing tuberculosis treatment systems and protecting patients amid wartime conditions.

The ceremony was held as a side event during the 78th United Nations General Assembly, which runs from September 18 to 26. Director General Ji Young-mi of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency delivered a congratulatory speech, and Sergii Dubrov, First Deputy Minister of Health of Ukraine, and Monica Chakwera, First Lady of Malawi, attended as keynote speakers. The event was hosted by Kim Doo-hyun, Chairman of the Chong Kun Dang Gochon Foundation, and Lee Jang-han, Chairman of Chong Kun Dang. The ceremony was broadcast live worldwide via the Stop TB Partnership’s YouTube and Facebook channels.

The Gochon Prize was jointly established in 2005 by the Chong Kun Dang Gochon Foundation, founded in 1973 by the late Chairman Lee Jong-geun, the founder of Chong Kun Dang, and the Stop TB Partnership under the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to support individuals and organizations contributing to the global fight against tuberculosis and AIDS. Each year, recipients are selected through a review by an international panel of experts, and a total of $100,000 USD (approximately 133.87 million KRW), including prize money, is awarded. To date, 12 scholars and 14 organizations have received a total of 4.2 billion KRW in research funding, contributing to the enhancement of global health research capabilities.

The Ukraine Ministry of Health Public Medical Center, selected as a recipient, is a public organization established to promote the health of Ukrainian citizens and operates the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP). It was recognized for treating more than 12,000 tuberculosis patients by establishing an emergency system even under wartime conditions. The Southern Kherson Tuberculosis Medical Center was also highly praised for managing patients through non-face-to-face remote medical services, such as receiving and issuing diagnostic certificates via email from the early stages of the war, supporting the treatment of approximately 400 tuberculosis patients and 3,500 individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Ms. Zhanna Karpenko, Director of the Chernihiv Regional Medical Center in Ukraine, was recognized for evacuating 54 hospitalized tuberculosis patients in the border area of Ukraine to ensure continued treatment and for her dedication to healthcare by providing food, fuel, and daily necessities to refugees despite difficult circumstances.

Dr. Yana Terleeva of the Ukraine Ministry of Health Public Medical Center expressed, “All Ukrainians are heroes and symbols of unity, and we sincerely thank the international community and the Gochon Prize for recognizing our efforts on their behalf.” She added, “The Gochon Prize means more than just an award to us; it represents hope and a new beginning toward the future.”

The Gochon Award medal, awarded annually by the Chong Kun Dang Gochon Foundation and the International Cooperation Project Group for Tuberculosis Eradication under the United Nations Research Institute. The bust on the medal is of the late Lee Jong-geun, Chairman of Chong Kun Dang.
[Photo by Chong Kun Dang Gochon Foundation]

Kim Doo-hyun, Chairman of the Chong Kun Dang Gochon Foundation, said, “This year’s recipients are true medical professionals who did not give up on patients despite the harsh conditions caused by the destruction of the healthcare system due to war,” and added, “We hope that today’s event, which is attracting global attention, will be a great encouragement for the various medical and relief activities that many organizations and individuals will carry out in the future.”

In her congratulatory speech, Director General Ji Young-mi of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency stated, “The Gochon Prize is an event that recognizes the cooperation and efforts of public institutions and private organizations in tuberculosis eradication and serves as a role model for all.” She continued, “Key agendas to be discussed at this year’s UN high-level meetings, such as expanding investment in tuberculosis research and development (R&D) and enhancing production capacity in developing countries through advanced technologies, closely align with the 40-year journey of Chairman Lee Jong-geun of Chong Kun Dang in tuberculosis eradication.” She added, “The Korean government will do its best to share experiences in tuberculosis response with countries that have high tuberculosis incidence rates and support the advancement of their diagnostic technologies and research capabilities.”

Sergii Dubrov, First Deputy Minister of Health of Ukraine, said, “Ukraine has experienced a significant population decline and destruction of medical facilities due to the war, resulting in many tuberculosis patients not receiving treatment,” and expressed deep gratitude to the international community for their attention to the current situation. He concluded his keynote speech with the message, “The Ukrainian government is working hard to overcome this situation, and we will definitely win and endure.”