GENEVA - The quest for the next regional director of the World Health Organization’s Africa office is now in high gear, with just a month before the election.
The four candidates from Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, and Tanzania share their vision during a Q&A with African health ministers. Plus, U.K. steps up legal protections for the Red Cross, and Crown Agents shuts down.
The race for WHO’s Africa director is intensifying, with candidates from Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, and Tanzania sharing their health priorities. Their focus includes universal health coverage and climate change adaptation.
The winner of the five-year term — which could stretch to a decade with reappointment — will fill the shoes of Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, who has been at the helm for nearly 10 years.
At the end of August, African health ministers will huddle to cast their secret votes and pick a nominee. The winning candidate will then be submitted to WHO’s executive board in January for final approval, with the new director ready to take charge in February.
While they all promised similar big goals — speeding up universal health coverage, tackling the effects of climate change on health, boosting maternal and child care, fighting diseases of all kinds, and prepping for health emergencies — each candidate brought their own flair to the table, eager to stand out.
