Global Health Community, Zimbabweans Express Confusion, Outrage Over WHO Goodwill Ambassador Incident Involving President Mugabe

Reuters: Mugabe would have rejected WHO role, says spokesman after its U-turn
“Robert Mugabe would have rejected the role of World Health Organization goodwill envoy had he been formally asked, his spokesman said on Tuesday, days after state media cheered the Zimbabwean president’s appointment…” (Dzirutwe, 10/24).

STAT: How a blunder over Robert Mugabe has cost the WHO goodwill it needs
“The global health community is struggling to make sense of a blunder that has shaken confidence in the new director general of the World Health Organization and given rise to concerns — both outside and within the WHO — about the impact the episode will have on the credibility of the agency he leads…” (Branswell, 10/23).

VOA News: Outrage, Condemnation in Zimbabwe over President’s Global Health Post Nomination
“Outrage against the nomination of Zimbabwe’s president as a World Health Organization goodwill ambassador led to his swift removal from the post over the weekend. But the outrage appears strongest in his home country, where Robert Mugabe is largely blamed for ruining his nation’s economy and health system during his 37 years in power…” (Powell/Mhofu, 10/23).

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