WHO to elect chief for Western Pacific

MANILA, Philippines — Member-states of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Western Pacific region will elect a new regional director tomorrow.

Zsuzsanna Jakab, acting WHO-Western Pacific director, said the elected regional director would assume the post in February next year.

Jakab said tomorrow’s elections would be conducted simultaneously with the second day of the WHO regional committee meeting.

Before an elected nominee can assume the post, the person needs to secure first the approval of the WHO executive board in January.

Five candidates including the Philippines’ Susan Mercado are among the nominees.

The others are Song Li of China, Jimmie Rodgers of Solomon Islands, Saia Ma’u Piukala of Tonga and Tran Thi Giang Huong of Vietnam. 

The WHO-Western Pacific Region held a candidates’ forum last month to help facilitate the decision-making process of the WHO member-states.

It was the first time that the agency held such a forum.

WHO regional director for Western Pacific Takeshi Kasai was removed from his post in March over allegations of racism, abuses and unethical behavior.   

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa endorsed Mercado to become the next chief of WHO-Western Pacific, who will serve for five years, and longer if reappointed.