Kathmandu, Aug 7: Dr Shambhu Prasad Acharya has, on behalf of Nepal, filed his candidacy for the World Health Orgnisation (WHO) South East Asia regional director.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal on July 23 wrote to the United Nations, informing the latter about the candidate of Acharya for the post of WHO regional director.
According to sources, 11 nations in the South East Asia, and Bangladesh has filed their candidacy to the post along with Nepal. With the registration of the Acharya’s candidacy, the Foreign Ministry has already dispatched a letter to the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi, Dhaka, Colombo and Bangkok, requesting them for garnering support in favor of Dr Acharya.
The South East Asia block consists of Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, the Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste (East Timor).
Dr Acharya has been with the UN since the past 30 years. He has already contributed to regarding the UN health policies, programmes and budget.
He has said, “I dream of a region where health is the center in all sectors and all policies.” He said he envisioned a WHO South-East Asia Regional Office that is fit for the future to support countries to achieve their national health objectives built around the WHO triple billion goals and the Sustainable Development Goals.
“My leadership will promote and guide a reorientation of Universal Health Coverage across the Region that is primary health care- focused, rights-based, gender-responsive, people-centered, locally tailored and quality- and equity-driven,” he said.
“My mission for everyone, everywhere: Health promotion, provision and protection, and powering innovation and performance,” he added.
According to him he has identified majorly five areas of priorities for working he gets elected on the post. Such priorities are 1) Promote Health and Well-Being
Approaches that Impact Population Health 2. Accelerate Universal Health Coverage with Strong, Inclusive Primary Health Care to Achieve Health-Related
Sustainable Development Goals 3. Prepare for and Protect from Future Pandemics and Emergencies 4. Innovate and Digitize to Accelerate Health Equity and Solidarity and 5. Champion “One WHO” to Enhance Country Support Across Three Levels.
He said he considered himself a suitable candidate for the post due to his long association with the WHO and efficient completion of the roles and responsibilities
made him a qualified candidate for the post.
The position of the WHO regional coordinator entails significant responsibilities, and he firmly believes that he is fully capable of delivering exceptional results in this capacity. Furthermore, he has well-defined plans and a clear vision for the role, further solidifying his confidence in his abilities to excel in this position.
As he said, the South East Asian nations face the budgetary and human resources constraints in their pursuit of advancing towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He underlined the need of addressing this gap.
To achieve the SDG goal 3 (good health and well-being) by the year 2030, eighteen million health workforce of all categories are required worldwide.
“Covid-19 pandemic has already reflected the status of our health system, suggesting the prime and prompt need to strengthen it,” he said.
Underlining the need of containing and eliminating infectious diseases from the South East Asia block. The infection of non-communicable diseases is another health concern in the region, according to Dr Acharya who stressed the need of increasing public awareness to enhancing containment and treatment approaches to address the situation.
“It is needed to ensure that disadvantage community have access to free health care services,” he said.
Implementation of the ‘one health approach’ connecting livestock health, food stuff, environment and health is necessary to strengthen the health service system.
The WHO has scheduled the nomination of one candidate of SEAR from October 30- November 2 and the appointment of regional director from January 16-19. The term of the regional director begins on February 1, 2024.
