“Truth and compassion must prevail, in medicine as in life”.
Prof. Dr. Sucharit Bhakdi
A distinguished scientist, dedicated physician and fervent advocate of medical ethics, Professor Sucharit Bhakdi has devoted his life to the study of microbiology and health. With decades of expertise in the epidemiology of infections, his work is marked by intellectual rigour and a deep commitment to the well-being of patients.
Dr Bhakdi’s career spans decades of acclaimed academic work. As head of the Institute of Microbiology and Medical Hygiene at the University of Mainz, he has trained generations of doctors and researchers, contributing more than 300 peer-reviewed articles to the medical literature.
A mentor, leader and man of conscience, Professor Bhakdi leaves a legacy of academic excellence and moral courage. His contributions remind us that science must always serve humanity, guided by wisdom and an unwavering, principled approach.
Throughout the Covid crisis, Dr Sucharit Bhakdi has been an unwavering voice of prudence, reason and humanity. While many have followed his rhetoric, Bhakdi has followed a different path, marked by a deep concern for public health, scientific ethics and, above all, the sanctity of human life.
First, do no harm
When governments began imposing lockdowns, compulsory measures and experimental medical interventions, Bhakdi warned of the potential risks. While many professionals remained silent or complied, he spoke out, highlighting the dangers of global health policies. He asserted that:
- Lockdowns could do more damage than the virus itself, leading to mental health problems, poverty, isolation and untreated illness.
- PCR tests have been misused to inflate the number of cases and spread fear.
- Vaccination campaigns, particularly those involving mRNA technology, have been launched without sufficient safety data, risking adverse effects.
Dr Bhakdi stressed that protecting the vulnerable should not be at the expense of the healthy. By calling for caution and informed consent, he prevented countless people from being harmed by hastily implemented policies.
Courage, truth and wisdom
It takes immense courage to stand up to tyranny, censorship, defamation and professional loss. Dr Bhakdi endured all this, not for fame or fortune, but because he knew that lives were at stake. He demonstrated time and again that true science is not a matter of consensus, but of questioning.
As the world begins to reassess its response to the Covid era, many of Bhakdi’s warnings are proving prophetic. The increase in vaccine-related adverse events, the mental health crisis among young people and the assault on civil liberties are now widely recognised.
For his unwavering courage, for defending the truth at great personal sacrifice, for applying science with compassion and for using wisdom to preserve life, the World Health Council is delighted to recognise Dr Sucharit Bhakdi with the award for courage, truth, science and wisdom .
