MANILA: A Pakistani microfinance pioneer, a Bangladeshi scientist who helped develop a cheap oral vaccine against cholera, and a Filipino fisherman were among Tuesday’s winners of Asia’s equivalent to the Nobel Prize.

Pakistani development worker Mohammad Amjad Saqib, 64, was a winner for his first-of-its-kind interest- and collateral-free microfinance programme that has helped millions of poor families.

Nearly two decades after its launch, Akhuwat has grown into the nation’s largest microfinance institution, distributing the equivalent of $900 million and boasting an almost 100 per cent loan repayment rate, the award foundation said.

Mr Saqib, who uses places of worship to hand out money, was cited for “his inspiring belief that human goodness and solidarity will find ways to eradicate poverty.”

Prime Minister Imran Khan greeted Mr Saqib. In a tweet, Mr Khan said: “Have been told this year’s Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia’s highest honour, has been given to a Pakistani, Dr Amjad Saqib, Founder Akhuwat. Congratulations to him. We are proud of his achievement as we move forward in creating a welfare state based on Riasat e Madina Model.”

Firdausi Qadri, 70, was one of five recipients of the Ramon Magsaysay Award — named after a Filipino president killed in a plane crash — for her “life-long devotion to the scientific profession” and “untiring contributions to vaccine development”.

Working at the Interna­tional Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka, Ms Qadri had a “key role” in creating more affordable vaccines to combat cholera and typhoid, the Manila-based award foundation said in a statement.

Another winner was Filipino fisherman Roberto Ballon, 53, who was recognised for helping “revive a dying fishing industry” on the southern island of Mindanao where abandoned fishponds had destroyed mangrove forests.

American Steven Muncy, founder of the Philippines-based NGO Community and Family Services Interna­tional, was recognised for helping refugees, assisting victims of natural disasters and getting former child soldiers back to school in Asia.

Indonesian documentary maker Watchdoc, which focuses on human rights, social justice and the environment, also won recognition for its “highly principled crusade for an independent media organisation”.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2021