After 72 years, the World Health Organization’s regional office in the Western Pacific will for the first time be led by a Pacific islander, Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala, Tonga’s health minister.
Piukala emerged as the top candidate in all voting rounds during last week’s 74th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific but was up against fellow Pacific Island candidate Dr. Jimmie Rodgers of Solomon Islands in the final round where he won narrowly by three votes at 16-13, with one abstention.
“To be honest, for me, at the time it doesn't matter to me anymore. Because I know that either one of us it will be a Pacific Island regional director. … But I was happy that we ended up having the two Pacific Island countries in the final round,” he told Devex.
About the author
Jenny Lei Ravelo@JennyLeiRavelo
Jenny Lei Ravelo is a Devex Senior Reporter based in Manila. She covers global health, with a particular focus on the World Health Organization, and other development and humanitarian aid trends in Asia Pacific. Prior to Devex, she wrote for ABS-CBN, one of the largest broadcasting networks in the Philippines, and was a copy editor for various international scientific journals. She received her journalism degree from the University of Santo Tomas.
