Next WHO Director General Needs To Be Global Public Health Leader, Visionary
Science: Who should direct WHO?
David L. Heymann, chair of the Health Protection Agency, United Kingdom; head of the Centre on Global Health Security at Chatham House, London; and professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
“…Having worked at WHO in a number of capacities in the area of infectious diseases, I know well that international health covers a wide breadth of issues. Add to that noncommunicable diseases and matters such as intellectual property and universal health coverage, and it becomes clear that the next director general must be a jack of all trades, but also a master of one — leadership in public health. … On 1 July 2017, a new WHO director general will take office. In the final decision-making steps, it will be important to identify the candidate who will be a technically sound leader with a deep understanding of politics and an ability to channel all stakeholders to the right outcome. This job takes boldness in vision, and the skills to bring others along with that vision” (11/11).
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