Kathmandu, 06 October (H.S.): Nepal is preparing to contest the election for the post of Regional Director of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) South-East Asia Regional Office. The government has decided to nominate Dr Sangeeta Kaushal Mishra, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population, as its candidate for the position.

The post fell vacant following the resignation of Saima Wazed, the former Regional Director from Bangladesh. According to the Ministry of Health, the government has decided to put forward Mishra’s candidature and has also begun diplomatic efforts to secure the support of member states.

The WHO is preparing to announce the official schedule for the election of the new Regional Director. According to sources, the nomination process is expected to begin on October 12, with the election likely to be held on January 24. Besides Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives and Sri Lanka are also preparing to field their respective candidates.

The WHO South-East Asia Region has a total of 11 member states. However, only 10 countries are expected to participate in the voting process this time. Myanmar is expected to remain outside the voting process because of United Nations sanctions imposed following the military coup in 2021.

Votes from member states including Nepal, India, Bhutan, North Korea, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste are considered crucial in the election. Public health experts say India’s position could have a significant influence on the outcome.

A Ministry of Health official said, “The Council of Ministers has decided to nominate her as a candidate for the post of Regional Director. We have now begun preparations to secure votes and support from the member states.”

Nepal had previously nominated Dr Shambhu Acharya, a senior public health expert working at WHO headquarters, for the Regional Director election in 2023. In that election, Saima Wazed secured eight votes, while Acharya received two.

Wazed was subsequently suspended following political changes in Bangladesh, allegations of corruption and an internal investigation by the WHO. She resigned from the post of Regional Director on September 9.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar