MEMBER states in the Western Pacific region are set to elect their nominee for the post of regional director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director tomorrow during the 74th session of the Western Pacific Regional Committee to be held in Manila.
The election will take place on the second day of the conference, said WHO acting regional director for the Western Pacific Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab. The new director will start office on Feb. 1, 2024, and will have a term of five years.
There are five candidates, including Dr Susan Mercado of the Philippines, that the 37 countries and areas of the Western Pacific Region will choose from.
The four others are Dr Song Li from China, Dr Jimmie Rodgers of Solomon Islands, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala of Tonga, and Dr Tran Thi Giang Huong of Viet”¯Nam.
Last month, the WHO Western Pacific Region held the first-ever candidates’ forum to facilitate the decision-making process of the member states.
After the closed-door voting, the name of the elected nominee will need to secure the approval of the WHO executive board come January 2024.
The last WHO regional director for the Western Pacific was Takeshi Kasai who was terminated last March after he was accused of being a racist and abusive, and of unethical behavior. — Gerard Naval
