WHO Makes Harsh Vardhan Chairman Of Its Executive Board

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan is now the chairman of the 34-member World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board. He will take charge today from Dr. Hiroki Nakatani of Japan. Harsh Vardhan has been at the forefront of India’s battle against COVID-19.

Harsh Vardhan said on his appointment

He said that he was aware that he was entering that office at a time of global crisis on account of that pandemic. At a time, when the world was aware that there would be many health challenges for in the next two decades. All those challenges demand a shared response.

Functions of WHO Executive Board

The board executes the decisions and policies of the Health Assembly. Also, it advises WHO and facilities its work. 194-nation World Health Assembly signed the proposal to appoint India’s nominee to Executive Board on Tuesday.

The 34 members of the Executive Board are designated by the elected member states of the World Health Assembly. They were elected for a three-year term. The board meets twice a year – first in January and the second time in May. The meetings are scheduled just after the Health Assembly.

India’s nomination to the Executive Board

The decision to elect India’s nominee to the executive board was taken last year when the South-East Asia group of WHO unanimously made the decision to regarding India’s nominee. Union Minister for Health Dr. Harsh Vardhan will start his three-year term at Executive Board from today.

Source: https://bit.ly/2ZqMDiO