ISLAMABAD: During special session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO), Dr Ahmed Al Mandhari of Oman was elected as regional director for the region for a period of five years.

The seat became vacant after the sudden death of the former regional head Dr Mahmoud Fikri of UAE.

According to an official statement from the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) on Sunday, NHS Minister Saira Afzal Tarar chaired a special session to elect the head of WHO EMRO, which includes 22 countries, in Geneva.

The election was contested by seven countries from the EMRO including Oman, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt and Iraq. Each candidate made a presentation on how they propose to take the organisation’s agenda forward to improve health of the people of the region that stretches from Pakistan in South Asia to Mauritania in North Africa.

Two rounds of elections were held, where Dr Mandhari received the highest number of votes (18) in the first round, 12 in the final round and was declared successful in the elections.

Consequent upon winning the elections, Dr Mandhari will assume the office of WHO EMRO regional director. The regional office is based in Cairo, Egypt.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Tarar thanked acting Regional Director Dr Jouad Mahjour for his leadership in the interim period and expressed appreciation for the election staff for highly transparent conduct of the elections.

The minister also mentioned the regional committee meeting which was attended by ministers and officials from 22 countries in October last year in Islamabad.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2018