Ethopia’s Ghebreyesus replaces Chan as WHO director general

Member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday elected Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus from Ethiopia to replace Margaret Chan as director general.

Ghebreyesus, who was nominated by the government of Ethiopia, will begin his five-year term on July 1, 2017.

Chan, who was director of health of Hong Kong, was first elected in November 2006 and re-elected in July 2012.

The election took place at the ongoing 70th assembly of the WHO holding in Geneva, which has about 3500 delegates from 194 member states.

“Prior to his election as WHO’s next director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus served as minister of foreign affairs, Ethiopia from 2012-2016 and as minister of health, Ethiopia from 2005-2012,” a statement from the WHO read.

“He has also served as chair of the board of the global fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; as chair of the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) partnership board, and as co-chair of the board of the partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.

“As minister of health, Ethiopia, he led a comprehensive reform effort of the country’s health system, including the expansion of the country’s health infrastructure, creating 3,500 health centres and 16,000 health posts; expanded the health workforce by 38,000 health extension workers; and initiated financing mechanisms to expand health insurance coverage.

“As minister of foreign affairs, he led the effort to negotiate the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, in which 193 countries committed to the financing necessary to achieve the sustainable development goals.

“Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will succeed Dr Margaret Chan, who has been WHO’s Director-General since January 1, 2007.”