On 18 December, the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh City hosted a ceremony to honour Professor Guy Edward Thwaites for his long-standing commitment to public health in Viet Nam.
On this occasion, Professor Guy Thwaites also received a Certificate of Merit from the Chair of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and the “For the Health of the People” Medal from the Ministry of Health of Viet Nam.
Professor Guy Thwaites is a world-leading expert in infectious diseases and serves as an advisor to the World Health Organisation, as well as to the governments of Australia and the United Kingdom.
During his 13-year tenure as Director of OUCRU, Professor Guy Thwaites has translated research findings into practical applications for the prevention and control of infectious diseases, as well as for diagnosis and treatment.
Professor Guy Thwaites is also recognised for his contributions to public health and to strengthening cooperation between the United Kingdom and Viet Nam, contributing to frontline research and healthcare delivery, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Ho Chi Minh City, Professor Guy Thwaites and OUCRU have signed a cooperation agreement to support capacity building for the city’s Centre for Disease Control. He also proposed an initiative to the Wellcome Trust to consider potential support for establishing an innovation hub for the city’s health sector.
Sharing his reflections, Professor Thwaites said that the achievements were not his own alone, but the result of sustained collaboration between OUCRU and Vietnamese colleagues over many years.
His dedicated contributions to the community have helped to enhance the standing of Viet Nam’s healthcare sector in general, and that of Ho Chi Minh City in particular, on the global medical map. On 1 January 2026, he will conclude his term as Director of OUCRU.
Source: “Honouring Professor Guy Edward Thwaites for his contributions to Viet Nam’s healthcare sector”, by journalist Giao Linh, Saigon Giai Phong Newspaper.
