Devex Features Q&As With WHO DG Candidates Tedros Adhanom, Miklós Szócska
Devex: Q&A: WHO candidate Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
“As health minister of Ethiopia, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus saw the impact of disease outbreaks and poor health care firsthand. He witnessed how malaria could devastate an agricultural workforce and leave crops unharvested. … Now as a candidate for the World Health Organization’s director generalship, Tedros seeks to take his efforts global. Ethiopia’s candidate has won the endorsement of the African Union’s executive council and is the only prospective leader from the continent…” (Loewenberg, 1/19).
Devex: Q&A: WHO candidate Miklós Szócska
“Miklós Szócska sees risk sharing as a vital tool in preparing for global pandemics and boosting the resources of the World Health Organization. The Hungarian candidate for the WHO director general race has used the concept before. During his time as health minister, Szócska introduced a public health product tax on food and beverages with high salt and sugar contents. … Szócska spoke with Devex ahead of the DG race on why the global community should try to share responsibilities and risks more, what changes and improvements he plans to implement at the U.N. health aid agency if he becomes director general, and how he plans to execute on promises of reform…” (Ravelo, 1/19).