The Seattle-based Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded its 2005 Gates Award for Global Health to the Nairobi-based African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) for its efforts to improve public health in Africa's poorest communities.

The $1 million award, which is administered by the Global Health Council, recognizes extraordinary achievement in improving health in the developing world, and is the world's largest prize for international health. AMREF, which was selected from more than eighty-five nominees by a jury of international public health leaders, was founded in 1957 as Flying Doctors of East Africa and is the oldest and largest aid organization based in Africa led by Africans. The organization's staff of more than six hundred physicians, nurses, researchers, nutritionists, and health workers helps communities build systems to address many of the most serious health challenges facing Africa.

"Bill and I established this award to draw the world's attention to the greatest success stories in global health — the unsung heroes whose work has opened new doors and new possibilities for improving health in developing countries," said Melinda Gates. "We congratulate AMREF on its accomplishments, which are an inspiration for the world."