The “Antonio Feltrinelli” and “Lincei Prize” awards ceremony is being held today at Palazzo Corsini in Rome by the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, during the public assembly for the closure of the 2023/24 academic year, with the extraordinary presence of the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella.
Doctors with Africa CUAMM is awarded the “Antonio Feltrinelli 2024” prize for an exceptional endeavor of high moral and humanitarian value.
Director General Father Dante Carraro received the award on behalf of the Bishop of Padua, and representing all the doctors and humanitarian workers deployed in Africa, giving voice to the poorest in Africa and those who care for their health.
«I am deeply grateful and honored by the award we are receiving today from such an authoritative institution as the Accademia dei Lincei – said Father Dante Carraro – CUAMM Director General during the award ceremony. I want to dedicate this award to those who dedicate their lives to the health of the most vulnerable, especially mothers and children; to those who refuse to accept that 280,000 women die each year due to childbirth, the majority of whom are in sub-Saharan Africa. We cannot and will not resign ourselves to this!»
Director General Father Dante Carraro receiving the award
«In 74 years of history, we have treated and assisted thousands of mothers and children in the most remote places in Africa, in what we call the last mile of the healthcare system, but we have not done it alone. We do not believe in “solo heroes”. We have achieved and are achieving this thanks to the help of international institutions, Italian Cooperation, the Church of Padua and the national church, banking foundations, many universities from which residents come to work in the more than 20 hospitals we support, and many groups and individuals who believe in our work. With great humility, we feel we are an expression of a courageous and generous Italy, which daily believes in and works for the good of others. A commitment made with dedication but also with research, as evidenced by the over 248 scientific articles published in the last 13 years, and collaboration with 132 research partners, because we are convinced that Africa needs passion along with high professionalism. The poor deserve our generosity, accompanied by competence and science».
President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella congratulates Father Dante Carraro
The award received will support the major program “Mothers and Children First” which aims to ensure assisted childbirth for 500,000 mothers and an equal number of newborns in 10 hospitals across the 8 countries of sub-Saharan Africa where Cuamm operates.
