Dr Hanan appointed WHO Regional Director for Eastern Mediterranean
Geneva, Switzerland – The WHO Executive Board, currently holding its 154th session in Geneva, has appointed Dr Hanan Balkhy of Saudi Arabia as WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean. This follows her nomination by the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean on October 10, 2023.
Dr Hanan will take up her appointment on February 1, 2024, for a term of five years. She will be the first woman to become WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean.
In her acceptance speech, Dr Hanan mentioned the many challenges the world is experiencing – all of which have significant implications for health. As well as shifting global geopolitics and the rising number and frequency of emergencies, exacerbated by severe climate events, there are lessons that cannot be ignored as the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These challenges underscore the undeniable interconnection between health and climate, and emphasise that every humanitarian crisis is, at its core, a health crisis,” she said.
Dr Hanan noted that without peace, achieving health goals remains a distant prospect, and will require effective health diplomacy and renewed commitment on both global and local fronts.
She also noted that the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region is diverse, with strong economies and stable settings alongside high levels of fragility, large displaced populations and a high share of the global population in need of humanitarian aid – not least in Sudan and the occupied Palestinian territory.
“Against this backdrop, ensuring the enjoyment of Health for All requires innovative and forward-looking approaches, backed by evidence,” said Dr Hanan.
The incoming regional director highlighted the need to prioritise access to and investment in wellfunctioning and resilient health systems. She spoke of the key priorities and initiatives that the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean will launch.
“My team will concentrate on two vital areas aligned with the 13th General Programme of Work (GPW 13) and my five campaign priorities, anticipating the context of GPW 14,” said Dr Hanan. “We aim to enhance end-to-end supply chains, ensuring essential medicines and supplies reach all populations, not an easy task for many in the region.”
She pledged to work tirelessly towards the shared goal of Health for All and thanked outgoing Regional Director Dr Ahmed al Mandhari for his thoughtful leadership during challenging times.
“While WHO, as the leading global health agency, will play a critical role in achieving Health for All, we can only succeed by working together and in solidarity with each other.”
Dr Hanan was born in Saudi Arabia. She has served as Assistant Director-general for Antimicrobial Resistance at WHO headquarters since 2019.
While WHO, as the leading global health agency, will play a critical role in achieving Health for All, we can only succeed by working together and in solidarity with each other
DR HANAN BALKHY