Soumya Swaminathan to take charge as WHO Deputy DG in Dec


Team Udayavani, Nov 26, 2017, 12:41 PM IST

New Delhi: ICMR chief Soumya Swaminathan, a globally recognised researcher on tuberculosis and HIV, is set to assume the charge of deputy director-general of the WHO in Geneva next month. Her appointment as the Deputy Director-General for Programmes (DDP), announced early last month by the World Health Organisation, elevates India’s stature globally. It is the second-highest position in the WHO.

“The plan was to join WHO on December 1 but I am still waiting to be relieved from my current position. So, sometime next month I will take charge as the DDP,” she told PTI. Swaminathan, a pediatrician by training, is a daughter of agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan who is hailed as the father of the ‘Green Revolution’.

As she moves from her current position of the director- general of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to a global health arena, Swaminathan hopes that her stint at the WHO will be a good learning experience which she can later use in India.

Universal health coverage, addressing the burden of non- communicable diseases (NCDs) or looking at access to drugs and diagnostics will be among her priorities, she says. The WHO, while announcing her appointment, had said, “A globally recognised researcher on tuberculosis and HIV, she brings with her 30 years of experience in clinical care and research and has worked throughout her career to translate research into impactful programmes.” 

Swaminathan is also the secretary of the Department of Health Research under the Heath Ministry. “From 2009 to 2011, she also served as Coordinator of the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) in Geneva,” according to WHO.

She has sat on several WHO and global advisory bodies and committees, including the WHO Expert Panel to Review Global Strategy and Plan of Action on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property, the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group of the Global TB Department at WHO, and as Co-Chair of the Lancet Commission on TB, it said.

Swaminathan received her academic training in India, the UK and the US and has published more than 250 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Salman Khan gets another threat, asked to cough up Rs 5 cr

Rahul Gandhi to attend caste census meeting in Hyderabad today

Udupi: Gas cylinder explosion during party causes extensive damage in apartment

Stay Safe Online: Tips to avoid cyber fraud!

FIR against Sanjay Raut’s brother for remarks against Shiv Sena’s woman leader

Kodagu murder case accused escapes from police in Hyderabad

Karnataka Maritime Board announces plans for Mangaluru Water Metro Project

Related Articles More

Rahul Gandhi to attend caste census meeting in Hyderabad today

FIR against Sanjay Raut’s brother for remarks against Shiv Sena’s woman leader

In-flight passengers can access WiFi services only when allowed, say new rules

Balasore tragedy result of composite negligence of railway officials: Orissa High Court

Three convicted for 2016 Kollam collectorate blast case

MUST WATCH

Gho Pooja in Deepavali Festival

Melukote Deepavali

Ganapathi Co-operative Society Ltd

Udayavani Chinnara Banna 2024

Annapoorna Aahar | Food Places In Mysore


Latest Additions

MRPL offers Rs 1 cr to buy advanced TB testing machines

Salman Khan gets another threat, asked to cough up Rs 5 cr

Mangaluru: Vishwa Konkani Samaroh to be held on Nov 5 and 6

Canadian cop suspended for attending pro-Khalistan protest outside Hindu temple

Rahul Gandhi to attend caste census meeting in Hyderabad today

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.