New Delhi: In a delight for India, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, will take charge as the chairman of the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board on May 22, officials said on Tuesday. The Health Minister who is at the forefront in the battle against COVID-19, would succeed Dr Hiroki Nakatani of Japan, currently the Chairman of the 34-member WHO Executive Board.
The 194-nation World Health Assembly signed the proposal to appoint India’s nominee to the executive board. India was among 10 nations that were elected by the 73rd World Health Assembly to the Executive Board of the WHO for a period of three years. The other new members include Botswana, Colombia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Oman, Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United Kingdom.
It is not a full time assignment and the minister will just be required to chair the Executive Board’s meetings, an official said.
The chairman of the board is selected on a rotational basis for one year among regional groups. The Executive board gives effect to the decisions and policies of the Health Assembly and facilitate its work.
