India on Wednesday (05) retained the top World Health Organisation (WHO) position in South-East Asia region after Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh unanimously re-elected as regional director for another five-year term beginning February 2019.
The elections were held at the ongoing regional committee meeting of WHO South-East Asia.
Dr Singh is the first woman to have been elected to the position of Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia Region after an illustrious career in the Indian civil service, World Bank and WHO.
“Dr Khetrapal Singh’s candidature was unopposed, as the 11 member countries of WHO South-East Asia Region met at the ongoing regional committee session to elect the next regional director,” WHO said in a statement.
“...With her contributions to regional as well as global initiatives and outstanding work in placing health central to the agenda of sustainable development in the region, she will continue leading the region to greater heights and further strengthen cooperation amongst South East Asia Region Member States,” said J P Nadda, India’s Minister of Health and Family Welfare congratulating Dr.Poonam Khetrapal Singh.
Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, became the first lady to work as WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia from February 1, 2014. Singh served for over 20 years as a civil servant in India as a member of the Indian Administrative Services.
She was also served as the Health Secretary of India’s Punjab state. In 1987 she joined the Health, Population and Nutrition Department of the World Bank.
