Massive support for Tetros for a second term as WHO chairman

AFP, Released Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 8:53 pm.

The way for Tetros Adanom Caprias to take office for a second term as head of the WHO is clear, after a practical referendum on Tuesday, which won the support of all Ethiopian participating countries.

After the vote, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) said, “Words miss me. I am very grateful for the renewed support.

During a secret ballot behind closed doors, members of the WHO’s executive committee – about thirty countries, including France – officially confirmed his candidacy after giving him an excellent speech.

Diplomatic sources said that all 31 countries that participated in the referendum voted in favor of him. There are three countries: Tonga, Afghanistan and Timor-Leste.

He is yet to be officially elected by all the member states of the organization in May, an election without the expected disruption since he will stand alone.

“At this time we appreciate not only your leadership, but also your humanity and compassion. In particular, your unwavering commitment to the most vulnerable people,” said South Korean Representative Kim Ganglip on behalf of the countries of the West Pacific region.

Speaking on behalf of the WHO’s 53 member states in the European region, French Representative Jerome Solomon outlined a long list of global health challenges facing Dr. Tetros. “Against sexual harassment and harassment, especially by guaranteeing an institutional culture that respects the rules”.

Mr. Tetros called for the strengthening of the WHO’s role in the “center of the global health framework” for its part, and called on every country to recognize “health as a fundamental human right.”

The head of the World Health Organization, who has been in office since 2017, has been widely praised by Africans, in particular, for allowing the international community’s vision, especially during epidemics, to return more to the continent.

However, the main criticism on Tuesday came from his home country. The Ethiopian government has accused him of “abusing his position” after commenting on the humanitarian situation in his home region of Tigris, which has been battered by 14 months of conflict.

– “terrified” –

The 56-year-old malaria specialist is a graduate in immunology, a community health doctor and former Ethiopian health minister and diplomat.

The first African to lead the WHO, he has been at the forefront since the outbreak began.

The arrival of Democrat Joe Biden at the White House put the United States back in the WHO’s lap, giving him a second wind, while he continued to be attacked by Donald Trump, who cut down on materials for the organization. He was accused of being too close to China and mismanaging the epidemic.

Dr. towards China. He considers Tetros’ highly critical tone not clear enough about the origin of the epidemic to receive some condemnation from Beijing, although it does support its renewal.

The scandal of sexual violence perpetrated by his organization’s employees in the Democratic Republic of Congo – including other aid workers – earned him the green light twice from dozens of member states, and he considered his reaction too soft and too slow. On Tuesday, he reiterated that he was “terrified”.

The epidemic shows that his calls, such as his call for better countries to establish barriers to vaccine withdrawal, often go unnoticed, thus benefiting the poor.

Dr. Tetros must win the race to strengthen the UN, in particular, to better prevent and manage future epidemics, following the first order issued by the Govt exposing the shortcomings of the WHO.

“The epidemic illustrates the challenge we face, which means the world is not ready,” he said Tuesday.

But the terms of the reform have not yet been defined by countries, some of which are concerned about their sovereignty and do not want to give too much power to the WHO.

Dr. Tetros wants to represent the contribution of member states to 50% of the budget by 2028-2029, which should be 16% by this time. The rest are voluntary contributions from public and private donors who determine how the WHO can use them.