25 Aug 2019

Incumbent World Health Organisation (WHO) regional director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, has overwhelmingly been elected for a second term.

A press release from the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation says Dr Moeti, a Motswana, garnered 44 out of the 45 votes cast at the 69th session of the WHO regional committee for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo recently.

“The victory is a vote of confidence in Dr Moeti’s leadership skills and her vision for the health agenda in Africa during the last five years,” it says.
The release further states that following a campaign by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, Dr Moeti was endorsed as the Southern African Development Community and African Union candidate for the position.

The ministry has, therefore, on behalf of government and the people of Botswana expressed its sincere appreciation to all SADC countries as well as WHO regional committee for Africa member states for Dr Moeti’s election.

Dr Moeti’s next five-year term will commence in February 2020.

“Her strategy will have a strong focus on the elimination of key infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases, the strengthening of partnerships with the private sector and also the delivery of a WHO that is more effective, innovative, accountable and efficient,” says the release. ENDS