9 striking images from the 2019 Wellcome Photography Prize on health and humanity

From personalised medicine to a new Ebola vaccine, breakthroughs in health affect us all.

Here are 9 striking images from the 2019 Wellcome Photography Prize, accompanied by the story behind the shot, and ways in which the Forum and its partners are leading change.

João was born with microcephaly, which is becoming more common in Brazil because of Zika outbreaks. Some of these children, with complex health needs, are abandoned – including João. He was adopted by Marilene and given a loving home.

The Epidemics Readiness Accelerator addresses challenges to public-private cooperation relied upon for effective readiness against epidemic threats, such as in areas of travel and tourism, supply chain, and data innovations.

These scientists are testing a variety of animals – like this baboon – to understand how diseases are transmitted to humans. This knowledge will help Kenya and other countries to prepare for emerging infections and respond faster when an outbreak strikes.

Launched in Davos in 2017, CEPI is an innovative global partnership between public, private, philanthropic, and civil society organisations to develop vaccines and create a world in which epidemics are no longer a threat to humanity.

Alan, aged 18, has a history of self-harming. In what many describe as an “epidemic”, more and more UK young people are being hospitalised as a result of self-harming, and child emotional disorders have risen sharply this century.

The Forum is collaborating with Orygen to create a global model for youth mental health, focused on preventive and community-based approaches and adaptable to different resource settings.

Surgeon Calso Thubo Paul operates on the eyes of a 13-year-old with trachoma, caused by poor sanitation and hygiene. During a ten-day visit to Nasir, the Sightsavers medical team performed 216 operations without running water or electricity.

UHC2030 provides a multi-stakeholder platform that promotes collaborative working at global and country levels on health systems strengthening, accelerating progress towards Universal Health Coverage.

Dismuss transports a boy with malaria. He is a volunteer community healthcare worker, and is trained to test for common diseases and administer basic drugs. He carries more serious cases to the nearest clinic, 14 km away.

M2030 brings together businesses, consumers and health organisations in a unique partnership to eliminate malaria in Asia by 2030.

This woman in a nursing facility outside Paris has become attached to Zora the robot. Used in healthcare settings in France and elsewhere, Zora is controlled remotely and can help with communication and provide comfort and entertainment (including exercise classes).

The Forum and Global CEO Initiative on Alzheimer's are collaborating to incentivize pre-competitive stage research, sharing data, minimizing financial risk and developing precise biomarkers.

Sofia goes to school in the ‘City for the Blind’ on the outskirts of Riga, a community of around 200 people who are blind or partially sighted. Facilities include a rehabilitation centre, a Braille library and a clubhouse.

Launched in Davos in 2019, the Valuable 500 seeks to tackle the trend for businesses to claim they are diverse, but exclude disability from their definition of diversity.

Sisters Zahra (20) and Sana (13) have a disease too rare to have yet been identified. Their symptoms include motor impairment and hair loss.

Valeria is a young mother who tested HIV positive while pregnant with her son Tymofii – he is HIV negative. In 2014 Valeria was supporting people with HIV in eastern Ukraine, continuing her work even when Russian troops invaded.

Launched in Davos in 2006, the (RED) Campaign’s mission to see an AIDS-free generation in our lifetime.