Beijing confirmed the nomination of National Health Commission official Dr Song Li for WHO Director-General on Thursday (8 October). The move expands the candidate field to seven amidst severe geopolitical ruptures shaking up the agency, with experts warning this move could further heighten superpower tensions. In announcing the bid, Chinese officials framed the candidacy around […] Continue reading ->
Rural farm fires and Diwali fireworks likely to trigger pollution emergencies in northern India during late autumn and early winter, despite the rollout of new pollution control measures in the capital city territory. DELHI, India – As India braces for the winter smog season, Delhi has announced a pollution mitigation plan for the expected peak […] Continue reading ->
The race to lead the World Health Organization (WHO) is intensifying. Early digital campaign data reveals an active contest to capture the pivotal African vote and outreach to established United States, European Union and corporate networks. While the full field of contenders is still taking shape ahead of the formal nomination deadline, digital engagement metrics […] Continue reading ->
Saima Wazed, WHO’s Regional Director (RD) for South-East Asia (SEARO) and daughter of ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, resigned Wednesday, just a day after South-East Asian member states recommended her termination, WHO confirmed to Health Policy Watch. “The previous day, 8 September 2026, the Regional Committee had recommended that Wazed’s appointment as Regional Director […] Continue reading ->
Outgoing WHO Assistant Director-General Dr Jeremy Farrar will lead PATH’s regional division for Asia, the Middle East, and Europe starting in October, the organisation announced in a press release on Wednesday (9 September). Based in Geneva, he joins the executive leadership team to accelerate the delivery of health technologies across these regions. “Dr Farrar joins […] Continue reading ->
Indonesia has officially nominated its Health Minister, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, for the WHO Director-General election – in what is also an unconventional candidacy for the global health agency that has traditionally been led by medical or public health professionals. Sadikin was posted as an official nominee on the WHO election website over the weekend. A […] Continue reading ->
As Delhi’s officials finally take tough action on major pollution sources, the demand for a similar approach is rising in other states – as seen at the 8th Indian Clean Air Summit held this week in Bangalore. BANGALORE, INDIA – Two decades ago, authorities in Delhi switched public and heavy duty transport from largely diesel […] Continue reading ->
A major leadership shake-up is rocking the WHO, with two assistant directors-general, Dr Jeremy Farrar and Dr Yukiko Nakatani, leaving the organisation in quick succession. For now, Dr Bruce Aylward will take over Farrar’s role while Dr Sylvie Briand will step in for Nakatani. Moreover, following allegations of corruption against Saima Wazed, the regional director […] Continue reading ->
Life was normal for 27-year-old Delhi-based lawyer Deeba Fariyal until six years ago when she was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare soft-tissue cancer that typically affects young adults. Since then, she has endured six relapses, leaving her with few treatment options. All the treatments have stopped working,” she said. “My cancer is one of […] Continue reading ->
In 1994, Manvati Nag, an indigenous woman from Bijapur district in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, married and moved to Halbaras village in the forested Dantewada region about 80 kilometres away. Although the move was relatively short, it dramatically altered her health. Before moving, Nag never got sick. But after her move, she started […] Continue reading ->