Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Minister of Health of Ethiopia, visited the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development at Peking University (ISSCAD), and delivered a talk on "Leadership for Global Health". The Chinese policy makers, scholars, and officials from developing countries attended the event.
Before the talk, HAN Qide, vice chairman of the standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Hao Ping, Chairman of Peking University Council, and FU Jun, Academic Dean of ISSCAD, had a meeting with Dr. Tedros.
(From left: Lucy CHEN; HAO Ping; HAN Qide;Tedros Adhanom; YUAN Ming; FU Jun)
(Prof. HAN Qide and Dr. Tedros)
Dr. Tedros, is a leading expert in the health industry with a long civil service career and has attained the highest level in the Civil Service of Ethiopia. He serves as Ethiopia’s Health Minister from 2005 to 2012 and Ethiopia’s Foreign Affairs Minister until recently. During his career, he has coordinated numerous global health initiatives, most important of which was the record-breaking US$11.69 billion in pledges when served as Board Chair of Global Fund. In his word: “I envision a world where everyone can live healthy and productive lives, regardless of who they are and where they live. I can bring a fresh perspective to WHO and bring big value to the world in the face of limited resources”. He mentioned that his priorities would be a transformed WHO, Health for All, Health Security, Women, Children and Adolescents and Health Impacts of Climate and Environmental Change.
By saying that WHO must understand and deal with movement from a unipolar to a multipolar global political system, he argued that WHO is being challenged by not aligning with global trends, inadequate resources, political will, weak capacity in coordinating a growing number of partners “The world is changing tremendously,” he stated. Dr. Tedros pointed out that WHO under his leadership will not really reinvent the wheel, “but learn from others, compile, tailor and share best practices with innovative thinking”. He advised governments to take ownership of health facilities in their respective countries, pay attention to primary health care while emphasizing the engagement of women as health extension workers. Further, he noted that capacity should be built in disease prevention, detection and swift response.
Prof. Fu Jun, the Academic Dean of ISSCAD thanked the guest speaker for sharing his insights on global contemporary health challenges and how it can be addressed to ensure a healthier, happier and prosperous livelihood for mankind to live in a friendly planet. The World Health Organization (WHO) made its debut when its constitution came into force on 7th April 1948 with the goal to build a better and healthier future for people all over the world while striving to combat both infectious and non-communicable diseases. Since the organization kicked into operation with these lofty goals, it has never been led by an African, but in a recent development, a renowned medical practitioner, Dr. Tedros – an Ethiopian, has thrown his hat into the ring, contesting to become the next Director-General of the global organization.
By Omole
