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Published on January 28, 2008

His Majesty the King will present the Prince Mahidol Award to three physicians from Germany, Australia and Nepal for their accomplishments in medicine and public health.

The awards have been conferred annually since 1992 to individuals or institutions that have demonstrated outstanding and exemplary contributions to global medical advancement.

An award will go to Professor Axel Ullrich, director of molecular biology at the Max Planck Institution Biochemis-try, Germany, in the field of medicine.

Australia's Professor Basil Stuart Hetzel, chairman emeritus of the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders, will receive an award for public heath.

Nepal's Dr Sanduk Ruit, medical director of Tilganga Eye Centre, will also receive a similar award. Professor Ullrich has played a leading role in the study of molecular mechanisms of cancer and pioneering the concept of targeted cancer therapy.

The development of drugs that act specially at the targeted areas provides a more efficient way of killing cancer cells without too much harm to normal cells and reducing the side-effects of cancer treatment.

A leading scientist, Professor Hetzel has extensively studied the adverse effects of iodine deficiency on people, particularly in its effects on the development of the brain.

He is also a key figure in the global campaign against iodine deficiency disorders.

Dr Ruit introduced and

further developed an effective sutureless operation techni-que that allows rapid operations to be performed on a large number of patients in remote areas.

He played a leadership role in the manufacture of inexpensive high-quality intraocular lenses for this operation, costing 50 times less than imported ones.

The award winners will be granted a royal audience at the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall on Wednesday.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over a dinner to honour the awardees the same day.

The Nation