A well-known Indian paediatrician has been appointed to the second highest position in the World Health Organisation.
Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research- the apex body in India for biomedical research, and Secretary to the Department of Health Research has been widely recognised for her research on tuberculosis and a well-known clinical scientist during her career spanning over three decades.
The decision was announced by the new Director-General of the WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Tuesday while unveiling his new team in Geneva.
“The team represents 14 countries, including all WHO regions, and is more than 60% women, reflecting my deep-held belief that we need top talent, gender equity and a geographically diverse set of perspectives to fulfil our mission to keep the world safe,” Dr Tedros said.
58-year-old Dr Swaminathan will replace Dr Anarfi Asamoa-Baah of Ghana who was the assistant director-general of the communicable disease programme and the HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria programme.
In her new role, Dr Swaminathan will be responsible for all operations of the WHO, including the communicable and non-communicable diseases.
She has had a two-year stint at UNICEF from 2009 to 2011 as coordinator, Research in Neglected Priorities, TDR (Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases).
In her new role as Deputy Director-General WHO, Dr Swaminathan will work in Geneva with the Director-General for a five-year term.
Dr Swaminathan is one of three daughters of Dr M S Swaminathan, an acclaimed Indian scientist who is also known as the father of India's green revolution. Her mother Mina is an educationist, and as chairperson of the study group on the development of preschool children, had submitted a report that formed the basis of the Integrated Child Development Services.
