Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will continue to remain the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO). He was voted to a second five-year term by WHO member-states, the United Nations healthcare arm stated May 24, 2022.
Ghebreyesus’ re-election — confirmed at the 75th World Health Assembly in geneva — did not come as much of a surprise as he was the sole candidate for the role. His tenure though has not been free of shakedowns.
The Ethiopian public health researcher was first voted WHO DG in 2017. he was noted for his efforts in public health work in Africa. By the middle of his first term, however, the world was struck by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) — the deadliest pandemic in a century.
The WHO said in a statement:
During his first term, Dr Tedros instituted a wide-ranging Transformation of the WHO, aimed at increasing the Organization’s efficiency driving impact at country level to promote healthier lives, protect more people in emergencies and increase equitable access to health. He also guided WHO’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, outbreaks of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the health impacts of multiple other humanitarian crises.
The former Ethiopian minister for foreign affairs and health called his re-election a humbling affair:
Humbled & honoured to be elected to serve a 2nd term as @WHO Director-General. I'm deeply grateful for the trust & confidence of Member States. I thank all #healthworkers & my @WHO colleagues around the