DUBLIN: Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) in recognition of his outstanding leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The RCSI said that the CMO has led the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) throughout the pandemic, “providing national direction and expert advice on the development and implementation of Ireland’s response to the pandemic”, and that this fellowship award recognizes his tireless efforts.
“He has continued to work tirelessly on a wide range of major policy issues including health service reform, patient safety and quality in health care, health technology assessment, health protection and emergency planning, Healthy Ireland, alcohol and tobacco control, bioethics and reproductive health,” the college said.
Dr. Tony Holohan expressed his gratitude for the honor and accepted it on behalf of all health workers who have been fighting the virus on the frontline.
He also praised the efforts of public in fighting the virus, saying the country has been able to reduce the rate of infection and the impact on public health only because of remarkable levels of compliance from the vast majority of people right from the start of this pandemic.
“The people of Ireland have effectively and consistently responded to our public health advice. They have stayed home, worn masks, washed hands and kept social distance when we asked,” Dr. Holohan said.
The CMO also highlighted that Ireland is on track to have one of the highest uptakes of the COVID-19 vaccine in the world.
We’re seeing this now in the encouraging high uptake of vaccination, which is on track to become the highest in the world.
According to the latest figures, some 3.1 million vaccine doses have been administered in the country. About 26% of adults are fully vaccinated, and 57% have received their first dose.
RCSI President, Professor Ronan O’Connell, said: “I congratulate Dr. Holohan on his award of Honorary Fellowship of RCSI. Dr Holohan’s contribution to Irish healthcare long predates the pandemic, yet this will be his legacy. Putting public health first, Dr Holohan has been transparent from the start, providing clear information which inspired trust and cohesion among a great majority of Irish people.”
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