Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - June 21, 2006
Apinya Wipatayotin
As a result of Dr Prasert's tireless campaign against polio, the government eventually included the polio vaccine in the vaccination programme for children in 1977.
Dr Prasert's work has led to a gradual decrease in the number of polio victims in Thailand, with the "zero case" target having been achieved in 2002.
In 1984, when the first HIV/Aids case was reported in Thailand, Dr Prasert began to study this sexually transmitted disease. He developed a laboratory procedure to identify the virus and initiated a HIV/Aids vaccine trial project in Rayong and Chon Buri provinces.
Dr Prasert is also keenly interested in the fight against new diseases, such as avian influenza.
He played a key role in monitoring government handling of bird flu since its first outbreak in the country in 2004. Since then, he has devoted himself to studying measures to combat the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus.
He is currently conducting a study to find the most effective method to vaccinate people against regular influenza in response to the country's limited supply of vaccine.
"I am very proud of this prestigious reward," Dr Prasert said. "This shows that my work has benefitted the people."
Dr Prasert has over the years been appointed to a number of positions of honour. He has been a member of the World Health Organisation's Expert Committee Advisory Panel on Virus Diseases since 1975. He was also made director of the WHO's Collaborating Centre on Aids from 1986-1994.
He is currently president of the Influenza Foundation of Thailand.
The Mahidol University-B. Braun Prize has been awarded to outstanding medical professionals yearly since 1993.
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will present the 700,000-baht prize to Dr Prasert in a ceremony at Amporn Gardens on July 6.
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