Pakistan Elected as WHO Executive Board Chair by 56 Countries

Pakistan has been elected as the chair of the Executive Board by 56 member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) in two phases during its 141^st session held on June 1, in Geneva.

It is heralded as a major achievement, as Dr Assad Hafeez of Pakistan has been elected chairman of the Executive Board of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Dr. Hafeez is Director General Health in Pakistan, and has formally now assumed the office as chairman of the board.

The election was conducted in two phases. The first tier was held at the regional level and the second at the global level.

Pakistan was first elected by a group of 22 countries, comprising the Eastern Mediterranean Region, and later by the Executive Board comprising 34 countries.

The Executive Board comprises a 34-member elite group ? which is considered the highest global policy forum on health. Its members are designated by a member state, elected for three years and are required to have attained excellence in the field of health.

The WHO's executive board meets at least twice a year. The annual board meeting is held in January when the member countries agree upon the agenda for the World Health Assembly and the resolutions to be considered by the assembly with a second shorter meeting in May, immediately after the Health Assembly.

The main functions of the Executive Board are to advise and facilitate the World Health Assembly and to give effect to the decisions and policies of the health assembly, comprising 194 member countries.

Congratulating the nation on the notable development, Minister for National Health Services Saira Afzal Tarar said it was indeed a great honour for Pakistan.

She termed it the recognition of the important role Pakistan has been playing in the global health arena.

She said Pakistan had been chosen earlier as the host of a prestigious regional conference of health ministers being held in October that will bring together participants from 22 countries in South Asia, Middle East, West Asia and North Africa, according to Dawn.

Pakistan has previously served as vice-chair of the executive board and is also a member of the board of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, the minister added.