As with each edition, the GHF hosted the presentation of the Anne MAURER-CECCHINI Foundation Award, created in memory of Anne MAURER-CECCHINI, who dedicated her career to research on neglected tropical diseases affecting the world’s most vulnerable populations.
The award will be presented during the Geneva Health Forum closing ceremony on 12 November 2026 by Guy MAURER-CECCHINI (President of the Foundation) and François CHAPPUIS (Geneva University Hospitals)
The 2026 award was granted to a major study assessing the efficacy of artesunate-mefloquine for schistosomiasis.
Schistosomiasis disproportionately affects children in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa and its treatment relies on a single drug, praziquantel. However, the efficacy of praziquantel is compromised by its extensive and increasing use in current NTD mass drug administration programmes, thereby posing a serious risk of resistance development. Hence, alternative drugs are urgently needed. In a large proof-of-concept randomized trial including 718 children with schistosomiasis in North Senegal (predominantly S. haematobium), the study – published in Nature Medicine – demonstrates that artesunate-mefloquine is safe for the treatment of schistosomiasis and that its efficacy is non-inferior to that of standard-care praziquantel.
The study was lead by
Join us to celebrate the winners of the Geneva Health Forum 2026 Poster Awards!
Two CHF 1,000 prizes will be presented to recognise outstanding poster contributions: the GHF Prize, awarded following the public vote, and the HUG Private Foundation Prize, awarded by the HUG Private Foundation.
Come and celebrate the research, ideas and contributions that have captured the attention of our participants and jury.
The competition for the most convincing poster is supported by the HUG Private Foundation Prize.
Three minutes. Three finalists. One chance to make your science stand out.
The Science Speed Talks are a unique opportunity for students to showcase their research and bring the key messages of their scientific work to life in just three minutes.
Following a selection by a jury, three finalists will take the stage during the GHF Closing Ceremony on 12 November to present their research to an international audience. They will have just three minutes to communicate their findings, engage the audience and demonstrate why their work matters.
But the final decision belongs to the audience. After the three presentations, GHF participants will be invited to vote for the presentation they find most convincing.
The winner will receive the “Jet d’Or de Genève” Award and a CHF 1,000 prize.
Come, listen, be inspired — and cast your vote!
Corine METCHIFEM FEUJO
Beatriz OLIVEIRA
Jamil ZAGHIR
16.00 | Welcome address
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| 16.05 | Anne MAURER-CECCHINI Foundation Award
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| 16.20 | GHF Poster Award
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| 16.30 | Sciences Speed Talks
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| 17.15 | Official Addresses
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| 18.00 | Networking reception |
