Amref Welcomes Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as next WHO Director-General

Track record in Ethiopia points to potential for transformational change for health in African communities

May 25, 2017: Nairobi, Kenya: Amref Health Africa, the largest African led international organisation on the continent, today welcomed the election of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as the next Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The following statement was issued by Dr. Githinji Gitahi, Group CEO, Amref Health Africa, from Geneva where he is attending the World Health Assembly.

“Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus’ commitment to Universal Health Coverage and the strengthening of health systems to prevent and control disease outbreaks is fully aligned with the Africa health agenda. His track record as Minister of Health in Ethiopia in creating stronger, more effective health systems that helped Ethiopia to meet the Millennium Development Goal health targets points to his ability to lead transformational change that will ultimately save lives.

Tweet by Dr Githinji Gitahi, Group CEO, Amref Health Africa

Facing the highest global burden of disease, sub-Saharan Africa requires health leadership at the global level that is committed to developing human resources for health, enabling the delivery of innovative and sustainable health services that reach everyone, everywhere and driving the global agenda for investments in health.

Amref Health Africa had the pleasure of working with Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during his tenure as Minister of Health in Ethiopia and we look forward to engaging closely with him for lasting health change in Africa as he takes on this new role.”

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Background:
About Amref Health Africa (www.amref.org; @Amref_Worldwide): Amref Health Africa, the largest African led international organisation on the continent, provides training and health services to over 35 countries in Africa. Founded in 1957 as the Flying Doctors of East Africa to bring critical health services to remote communities, Amref Health Africa now delivers preventative, community-based health care. With a focus on women and children, Amref Health Africa manages a full range of medical and public health programmes tackling the most critical health challenges facing the continent: maternal and child care; HIV, TB and malaria; clean water and sanitation; and, surgical and clinical outreach.

Amref Health Africa has a long history of partnering with a diverse range of global, regional and national institutions. Since its inception, Amref Health Africa has worked closely with African governments and Ministries of Health. Globally, Amref Health Africa is in an official working relationship with the World Health Organization (WHO), is a member of the Global Health Workforce Alliance (GHWA) and sits in the Secretariat of GHWA’s African Human Resources for Health Platform.

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