Dr. Paul Farmer

Dr. Sriram Shamasunder just spent a week in Rwanda at the university co-founded by Paul Farmer — and witnessed the passion and compassion of this global health champion days before his untimely death.

Known for his efforts to improve global health and as the founder of the nonprofit health organization Partners in Health, Farmer died in Rwanda at age 62.

An open letter from 175 experts to President Biden made the ask. "We're not trying to be unreasonable," explains Dr. Paul Farmer, one of the signers. "We're trying to be optimistic and audacious."

As the founder of Partners in Health, he seeks to bring modern medical care to all. Now he is the happy — if a bit surprised — to receive the Berggruen Prize for Philosophy and Culture.

The co-founder of Partners in Health talks about the challenges facing already challenged health-care systems as coronavirus spreads.