Asamoa-Baah appointed WHO Deputy Director-General

Accra, Jan. 10, GNA - Dr Anarfi Asamoa-Baah, Former Director of Medical Services has been appointed Deputy Director-General of World Health Organisation (WHO).

Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO, announced this in Geneva on Tuesday, according to Xinhua, the Chinese News Agency.

"I am exceptionally pleased to name Dr Asamoa-Baah to the important post of Deputy Director-General," Dr Chan said.

"WHO and the world of public health would benefit greatly from his expertise, experience and wisdom. I am looking forward to working closely with him," she added.

A WHO statement said Dr Asamoa-Baah would take up duties immediately after his appointment.

Dr Asamoa-Baah, also known as "AB" at WHO, has held senior positions at the organization since 1998.

He began his career at WHO as a Senior Policy Advisor to the Director-General. Since then, he has been widely respected for his leadership in HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Communicable diseases, Health Technology and Pharmaceuticals and in external relations. Dr Asamoa-Baah has significant experience in public health, health policy and health systems development.

Dr Chan formally took office as WHO Chief on January 4 and pledged that the two priorities for her term in office were to improve the health of Africans and women.