WHO top job goes to Ethiopia

Wednesday May 24th, 2017

An Ethiopian doctor is to be the next director-general of the World Health Organisation, it has been announced.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was elected by delegates at the World Health Assembly in Geneva in a three-way contest to succeed Dr Margaret Chan.

A British doctor, Dr David Nabarro, was unsuccessful.

Dr Tedros (correct), aged 52 and originally from Eritrea, is credited with "comprehensive reform" of the health system of Ethiopia while serving as health minister earlier this century - opening 3,500 health centres and creating 16,000 health worker posts.

He went on to become the country's minister of foreign affairs and has been chair of the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

He was praised by Dr Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust.

Dr Farrar said: "As someone who has worked tirelessly to reform health systems in Ethiopia and across Africa, he will bring great insight and the political leadership necessary to restore trust in the WHO at a critical moment in its history.

“Tedros’ predecessor has done much to improve the WHO’s response to epidemics in the wake of the Ebola crisis of 2014/15, but there is more to be done.

"Tedros has the power to herald a new era in how the world prepares for and responds to epidemics, including building partnerships, strengthening public health systems, and developing new vaccines and therapies that are available to all who need them."

Tags: Africa | General Health | World Health

Printer friendly page