Although there are few Egyptian names that resonate with global medicine, the name of Dr. Abel Mahmoud was quite a well-established one. The 76-year-old doctor, who was credited with the invention and marketing of two important vaccines, passed away one June 22 in the United States. Dr. Adel Mahmoud was at the forefront of the creation of two significant vaccines: one for the rotavirus infection and one protecting against human papillomavirus (HPV). One prevents rotavirus infection, a potentially fatal cause of diarrhea in babies. Another protects against human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cancers of the cervix, anus, genitals and middle of the throat. News of the death sparked messages of mourning across the world. Egypt’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research released a statement which expressed its condolences, stating that Dr Mahmoud’s death was a “huge loss”. Meanwhile, Bill Gates tweeted “the world lost one of the greatest vaccine creators of our time”. “Dr Adel Mahmoud saved the lives of countless children,” tweeted Bill Gates. Dr Mahmoud graduated from the University of Cairo in 1963 and earned a doctorate from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 1971….
