Tribute to US President Jimmy Carter
At RSTMH, we were saddened to hear of the death of US President Jimmy Carter, who died on the 29 December 2024 at the age of 100. I was very lucky to have the opportunity to meet President Carter some years ago in London. Though it was for a very short time I was struck by his obvious commitment and passion for his work and for communities across the world.
President Carter founded The Carter Center in 1982, where he led efforts against diseases including Guinea worm.
We asked some of our network to share their tributes to President Carter.
Delna Ghandi
Delna Ghandhi said: “President Carter played an important role in tackling Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). These diseases affect over 1 billion of the world’s poorest people. In particular President Carter was at the forefront the efforts to eradicate Guinea Worm Disease (GWD). GWD is a devastating disease that is acquired when people drink contaminated water. About a year later a meter long worm slowly emerges from the body causing intense pain. It can result in adults being unable to work or care for families and children being unable to attend school. In 2023, there were 14 human cases of GWD down from over 3.5 million cases a year in the 1980s. President Carter deserves much credit for the huge progress made.
“In 1995, President Carter negotiated the Guinea worm cease fire in Sudan which lasted for about six months. This allowed health workers to reach previously inaccessible populations so as to tackle Guinea worm and other diseases. The UK supported the Guinea worm eradication programme for a number of years.”
Professor David Molyneux
Professor David Molyneux said: “The number of global tributes to President Jimmy Carter testify to the respect in which he was rightly held. I was privileged to be involved with the Carter Center as a member of the International Task Force for Disease Eradication and as a member of the WHO Guinea Worm Commission. He regularly appeared at the meetings of the Task Force when in Atlanta and participated directly in them. His comments were always relevant and insightful. I recall a meeting in London when he was interviewed by Jon Snow and when directly asked about his legacy, he immediately identified the eradication of Guinea Worm Disease which he hoped to see in his lifetime. Whilst eradication has yet to be achieved the fact that his vision of the eradication programme has reduced the numbers of annual cases from well over 1 million when the programme in the 1980’s to around 10 human cases in 2024 annually is a tribute to his energy, vision, advocacy at all levels reflecting his desire to help the poorest with some 16 countries now certified as being free on transmission.
“The many tributes to Jimmy Carter are truly deserved. For an ex-US President to be so warm and friendly, approachable, easily engaged in discussion, able to remember one’s name and interests – indeed being “normal” was something special. He generated respect everywhere. If a country was not fulfilling the obligations which the President had made to him, he contacted him directly. He understood the plight of the poorest and voiceless at first hand, embracing the Neglected Tropical Disease concept through expanding Carter Center operational work into onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, schistosomiasis as well as malaria in Haiti and the Dominican Republic in addition to Guinea Worm.”
Dr Adrian Hopkins
Dr Adrian Hopkins said: “President Jimmy Carter was always approachable and very appreciative of partnerships in his work; the partnership through the Mectizan Donation Programme for onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis being one he did not hesitate to emphasise in discussions, and he was always interested in discussions when making contact when appropriate. He would sit in for many hours at the Carter Center annual review when he was around and ask pertinent questions.
“But his interest in health was wider than just the NTDs. I was privileged to sit in on a meeting of the Elders discussing global health issues with Ban Ki Moon the UN general Secretary at the time and the DGs and senior staff at WHO as well as the “elders”, such was his convening power.
“On a return flight from celebrating the elimination of onchocerciasis in Colombia he asked me all sorts of questions around female health issues as he was preparing a new book.
“President Carter was a man who put his faith into action and that action was directed to the most underprivileged people around the world.”
We send our condolences to all his family, friends and colleagues.