Candidates vying for the regional director position at the World Health Organization Western Pacific regional office fielded member states’ questions in a unique online public forum meant to gauge their priorities and fitness for the job.
They shared their vision and proposals on how to address the burden of noncommunicable diseases, the threat of climate change, the creeping challenge of aging, the shortage of human resources for health in the region, and ways WHO can help the region prepare for the next health emergency.
Some of them also highlighted the need to address antimicrobial resistance and mental health and find solutions to the social determinants of health. They also laid out ways to rebuild staff members’ trust after the racism scandal involving the office’s former regional director.
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.
