The Union congratulates new WHO chief

The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease known as The Union has congratulated the newly elected Director General of the World Health Organisation.

Senior CorrespondentReuters
Published : 24 May 2017, 07:13 AM
Updated : 24 May 2017, 05:17 PM

Ethiopia's Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus won the contest to be the next head of the WHO on Tuesday, becoming the first African to lead the United Nations agency.

The former health minister and foreign minister received more than half the votes in the first round and then won a decisive second-round election on Tuesday at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, beating Britain's David Nabarro to the job.

Tedros will begin his five-year term after Margaret Chan, a former Hong Kong health director, steps down on Jun 30 after ten years of service.

“Dr Tedros is a proven leader who spearheaded massive improvements in Ethiopia’s healthcare system. His work to develop a national cadre of community health workers was a pioneering solution for improving public health that many other countries have since followed,” said José Luis Castro, Executive Director of The Union.

“He has the credentials, the diplomatic skills, and the management experience to effectively lead the WHO during one of the most critical moments in its history.”

The new Director-General assumes leadership of the WHO at a time when there is widespread recognition that reforms are a priority.

These include building a more effective and accountable management culture based on best practices; strengthening WHO’s capacity to monitor global health trends and threats in real time; and becoming better equipped to respond to crises and countries’ emerging health needs in a way that is tailored to local contexts and adds value to the resources that countries and partners already have.

“Overall, the new Director-General must steer the WHO to a stronger position where it delivers a balance of sound policy guidance and efficient, effective operations,” Castro said. “A healthy and effective WHO is needed now more than ever.”