Medical Research category: Dr. Peter PIOT (Belgium)
Director and Professor of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

　I am deeply honoured and grateful to have been considered for this award. Dr Noguchi holds a special place in the history of medical research, and the originality of his work on syphilis, yellow fever, leptospirosis, trachoma and other infectious diseases is recognised worldwide. His courage and dedication both in the laboratory and in the field have inspired generations of researchers; he was an internationalist, and in many ways a pioneer of what we now call global health. He has been an inspiration for my own work on infectious diseases in Africa, where I have tried to bridge laboratory science, population based research, policy and action on the ground to save lives.

　As well as recognising the legacy of Dr Noguchi, the Japanese Government has shown tremendous vision in fostering a collaborative approach to the global challenges we now face, and particularly its commitment to Africa through the Tokyo International Conference on African Development and Yokohama Action Plan initiatives.

Personally, I must thank my family and the many amazing colleagues around the world who have supported and mentored me over the past 40 years - across Africa, in Europe, the USA and Japan, and later at UNAIDS.

　While we have collectively achieved many successes against infectious diseases, AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and many other diseases are far from being under control, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. New pathogens will continue to emerge, and we all must sustain current local and global efforts for many years to come.　

Medical Services category : Dr. Alex Godwin COUTINHO (Uganda)　
Executive Director of the Infectious Disease Institute - Makerere University

　I am overjoyed and overwhelmed at receiving the news of my becoming the second Hideyo Noguchi laureate for the Medical Services category for 2013. This recognition by the Japanese government and the Japanese people honouring the memory of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi represents the highest recognition for a medical doctor in Africa.

　The life of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi is an inspiration that needs to be told over and over again to the world and I pledge to do this. I have practiced medicine and public health in Africa focusing primarily on HIV, TB and Malaria for the past 30 years and today this prize makes all the sleepless nights and stressful days worthwhile.

　This prize would not have been possible without the collaboration, trust, support and partnerships with people living with HIV, my teachers, fellow health professionals as well as the wonderful institutions like TASO and IDI that I have had the privilege to lead. I wish to acknowledge them and give thanks and respect to all of them.

　This prize now places an obligation on me to uphold the memory of Dr.Hideyo Noguchi as well as to invest this prize into further improving the health of the people of Africa and I pledge to work tirelessly to make this happen.

　I thank the people of Japan and its leadership for the vision to honor the memory of your noble son while inspiring those of us who will continue with his work in Africa.