03 May 2023

WHO director general Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, an Ethiopian national, has been commended for proving himself as an astute and agile leader who managed to steer the ship when the world faced the  COVID-19 health crisis.

The accolades came from President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi during a dinner hosted by WHO in his honour.

Dr Masisi said the WHO chief, who is the only African to have led the organisation, steered the ship safely through the health crisis in a manner that brought much credibility to his country and the continent as a whole.

He said Dr Ghebreyesus was the only WHO leader who had to face the most severe onslaught of a health nature on the world’s population.

“You have all the critical attributes that can make a great leader that you have become. We urge you to keep doing the great job that you are doing,” the President said.

Dr Masisi thanked the WHO boss for standing in solidarity with Botswana when the western world marginalised the country following its discovery of the COVID-19 variant, Omicron.

He promised Dr Ghebreyesus that Botswana would put everything in place for a successful WHO Regional Committee for Africa summit slated for later this year in Gaborone.

For his part, Dr Ghebreyesus acknowledged the difficulties Botswana and the continent faced during the COVID-19 pandemic especially in accessing vaccines.

He said his organisation had outlined five priorities for a healthier  safer, fairer and more sustainable world which were promoting, providing, protecting, and powering health as well as performing for health.

Dr Ghebreyesus  commended Botswana for its efforts on tobacco control, harmful alcohol and addressing gender based violence.

He emphasised that investment in primary health paid rich rewards in terms of promoting health and preventing diseases.

The WHO boss pledged the organisation’s support for Botswana’s universal health coverage  and strengthening of  its  health system efforts.

Noting that the pandemic demonstrated the incredible power of science, research and technology for health, with vaccines, tests and treatments developed in record time, he however pointed  out that inequitable access to such tools as experienced by Botswana and other countries cost lives.

“We must do more to make sure all people have equitable  access to the fruits of science,” he said.

 The President had several engagements on his state visit in Switzerland,  and such included closed door meetings with the Director General of the United Nations Office in Geneva Ms Tatiana Valovaya.   ENDS