New Delhi: Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Friday took charge as the chairman of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Executive Board at its 147th session.
India would now play a crucial role at the World Health Organisation. Vardhan has succeeded Dr Hiroki Nakatani of Japan.
India is a member state of the South East Asia Region at the WHO. 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.
It is not a full time assignment and the minister will just be required to chair the Executive Board’s meetings.
The chairman of the board is selected on a rotational basis for one year among regional groups.
