Dr. Sania Nishtar, Pakistan’s candidate for the Director General World Health
Organization (WHO), presented her vision and plan for the WHO at a forum hosted
by the Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, in London on
03 November 2016. Candidates from other countries, including Italy, France,
United Kingdom and Hungary also participated in the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Nishtar called for reinvigorating the world’s only
universal membership multilateral health agency in face of the pressing global
health challenges. She outlined her priorities of bringing reforms to rapid
fruition, embracing meaningful and timely transparency, institutionalizing true
accountability, ensuring value for money, and driving a culture based on results
and delivery, to transform the organization.
Placing universal attainment of the highest possible level of health at the
centre of her vision, she also highlighted her pledges including delivering
effective operational readiness in outbreaks and emergencies; strengthened
action on global public goods; focus on supporting countries to reduce the
health risks of climate change; and country-relevant support to achieve the
SDGs, with an emphasis on Universal Health Coverage and multi-sectoral action.
With her diverse experience in the areas of health, civil society, public sector
and the multilateral system, Dr. Nishtar expressed her commitment to deliver a
renewed WHO. She also promised to lead a WHO that leverages stakeholders’
contributions and inspires increased engagement and accountability.
During the event, Dr. Nishtar also responded to questions from the audiences on
a number of issues including challenges to WHO, gender equity, accountability,
partnership with private sector, universal health coverage and north-south
health divide. At the end of the event, she also gave a detailed interview to
the British Medical Journal outlining her vision and priorities for the WHO.
Earlier, Dr. Nishtar called on Lord Prior, UK’s Parliamentary Under Secretary of
State for Health and apprised him about her candidature. Lord Prior appreciated
her credentials and her professional experience and diverse background in the
field of health.
Separately, Dr. Nishtar also met the High Commissioner for Pakistan Syed Ibne
Abbas, who praised her achievements and contributions in the fields of health
and governance. With her professional expertise, experience and background, he
termed Dr. Nishtar the ideal candidate for the post of DG WHO.
Dr. Sania Nishtar, a former Federal Minister and prominent global health leader
with extensive experience in public healthcare, is among the six candidates
nominated for the post of Director General WHO. The election for the post will
be held in January and May next year.
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