TEHRAN - Doctor Nizal Sarrafzadegan from the Islam Republic of Iran received the Award of the State of Kuwait Prize for the Control of Cancer, Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

The award was given to Sarrafzadegan during the 63rd session of the Regional Committee, in 2016 in recognition of her outstanding contribution in the field of cardiovascular diseases, Kuwait news agency (KUNA) reported.

Based on the recommendation of the Foundation Committee, the Regional Committee decided, at its 62nd session, to award the prize for 2015 to doctor Sarrafzadegan in the area of cardiovascular diseases. The prize was presented to the laureate during the 63rd session of the Regional Committee, in 2016.

Sarrafzadegan is the chief of Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, a center affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.

According to WHO website, the Foundation for the State of Kuwait Prize for the Control of Cancer, Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes in the Eastern Mediterranean was established in 2003. The award is being bestowed upon the winners annually during the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean.

The prize was awarded for the first time during the Fifty-fourth Session of the Regional Committee in 2007 to both Professor Fereidoun Azizi from Iran and Professor Kamel Ajlouni from Jordan in view of their equally high level of experience and achievements in the area of diabetes.

Doctor Alireza Ansary-Moghaddam from Iran also managed to win the fifth award in 2011 for his significant contribution in the field of cancer.

The 63rd Session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean was held in Cairo from October 3 to 6, 2016 with 22 countries as participants.

MQ/MG