Kenyan scholar Prof Miriam Khamadi Were has been honoured by the Japanese government over her role in the development of global health.
Prof Were, was conferred with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon by the Japanese Ambassador to Kenya Horie Ryoichi courtesy of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan on 29th of April, the 2nd year of Reiwa (2020).
Prof Were has been pivotal in bolstering Kenya’s relations with Japan in heath and other human exchange sectors.
In 2008, Prof Were was yet again recognized by the Emperor of Japan when she was awarded the first Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize in 2008.
The Japanese Ambassador described the Kenyan scholar as a perfect example of astute women leadership.
Amb Horie according to KBC added that Prof Were’s work “inspires and encourages young women all over the world as well as the recognition of the importance of global health development in dealing with the current pandemic.”
In her appreciation, Prof. Were said she was the first Laureate of the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize, and has been a member of the Advisory Committee of the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize.
At 80, the Kenya scholar is proud having served as Chair of Kenya’s National AIDS Control Council, Chair of the African Medical and Research Foundation Board (AMREF), Member of the Board of the Health Workforce Alliance, Member of the UN Secretary General’s Independent Expert Review Group (iERG) for Women’s and Children’s Health, Chancellor of Moi University.
Hitherto, she is an active Member of The Champions of AIDS-Free Generation in Africa.
Her history traces back to her humble days as a Chemistry and Biology teacher before joining the University of Nairobi where she studied Medicine and graduated in 1973 as a full doctor.
She furthered her studies and took a Master’s Degree in Community Health and later flew to the US where she pursued a doctorate degree at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. She specialized in Public Health.