Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus 2023

Houlin Zhao with Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus - 2017 (36433272494)

Ilham Aliyev received WHO Director General

Salome Zourabichvili and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

Pääministeri Marin Berliinissä 26.-27.10.2021 (51630907508)

PM Modi with WHO Chief Dr. Tedros in Gandhinagar, Gujurat

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (born 3 March 1965) is an Ethiopian biologist, public health researcher, and official who has served as the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) since 2017. Prior to his role at WHO, Tedros was Ethiopia's Minister of Health from 2005 to 2012 and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2012 to 2016. He has been a prominent figure in global health, leading initiatives to combat diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis, as well as strengthening health systems in developing countries.

Early Life and Education

Tedros was born in Asmara, which was part of Ethiopia at the time and is now the capital of Eritrea. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Asmara in 1986. Following his undergraduate studies, Tedros received a Master of Science in Immunology of Infectious Diseases from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in 1992. He then completed his PhD in Community Health from the University of Nottingham in 2000, focusing on the effects of dam construction on the transmission of malaria in the Tigray region of Ethiopia.

Career

Minister of Health

As Ethiopia's Minister of Health, Tedros implemented comprehensive reforms that significantly improved access to health services and outcomes. His tenure saw a dramatic expansion in the country's health infrastructure, including the training and deployment of thousands of health extension workers. These efforts contributed to notable reductions in child mortality rates, HIV infections, and malaria and tuberculosis cases.

Minister of Foreign Affairs

In his role as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tedros focused on elevating Ethiopia's diplomatic standing on the global stage and was instrumental in negotiating peace deals and fostering regional cooperation in the Horn of Africa.

Director-General of the World Health Organization

Tedros was elected as the Director-General of the WHO in May 2017, becoming the first African to hold this position. His tenure has been marked by a focus on universal health coverage, health emergency preparedness, and response. He has led the WHO's efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, advocating for equitable access to vaccines and treatments across all countries.

Controversies

Tedros's leadership has not been without controversy. He has faced criticism over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, including accusations of being too deferential to China in the early stages of the outbreak. Additionally, his candidacy for the WHO Director-General position was marred by allegations related to his tenure as Ethiopia's Minister of Health, though he has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Personal Life

Tedros is married and has five children. He is known for his advocacy on global health issues and has published extensively on health policy, malaria, and other infectious diseases.

Legacy and Impact

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus's work has had a significant impact on global health, particularly in terms of improving health systems in developing countries and advancing the agenda for universal health coverage. His leadership at the WHO, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, has underscored the importance of global cooperation and equity in health.