Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan set to take charge as WHO Executive Board chairman
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The Executive Board is composed of 34 technically qualified members elected for three-year terms. The chairman`s post is held by rotation for one year among regional groups.
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan is set to take charge as the chairman of the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board on May 22, news agency ANI reported quoting sources on Tuesday.
The Executive Board meeting of the WHO will be held on May 22.
The Executive Board is composed of 34 technically qualified members elected for three-year terms. The chairman`s post is held by rotation for one year among regional groups.
The main functions of the Board are to implement the decisions and policies of the Health Assembly and facilitate its work.
Vardhan had on Monday participated in the 73rd World Health Assembly (WHA) via video conferencing. WHA is the decision-making body of the World Health Organisation.
In his address, Health Minister had expressed his "deepest condolences" to loss of lives across the world due to COVID-19 and appreciated the efforts of frontline workers of the battle.
"We, in India, undertook the COVID-19 challenge with the highest level of political commitment. Our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, personally monitored the situation and ensured a pre-emptive, pro-active and graded response, leaving no stones unturned to contain the deadly virus from spreading," Harsh Vardhan said.
"On our part, India is playing a key role in fostering bilateral and regional partnerships. Under our Prime Minister`s able leadership, India has supplied essential medicines to 123 nations as an expression of solidarity," he said.
"I stand here to honour the doctors, the nurses, the paramedics, the scientists, the journalists, the delivery boys, security staff, sanitation staff and the police personnel - the forgotten roles who are today playing `superhumans`. They are our real heroes," he added.