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 The former health minister and foreign minister, who vowed to make
universal health care his priority, won over half the votes from 189
member states in the first round and prevailed in a third-round
ballot against Britain's David Nabarro.
"It's a victory day for Ethiopia and for Africa," Ethiopia's
ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva Negash Kebret Botora said.
Tedros, as he is widely known, told health ministers at the WHO's
annual assembly after his election: "All roads lead to universal
coverage. This will be my central priority.
"At present, only about a half of the world's people have access to
health care without impoverishment. This needs to improve
dramatically," he added.
Six candidates sought to take the helm at the WHO, which is tasked
with combating disease outbreaks and chronic illnesses.
The WHO said Tedros had led a "comprehensive reform effort" of
Ethiopia's health system, creating health centres and jobs.
UNAIDS, the vaccine alliance GAVI, U.S. Health and Human Services
Secretary Tom Price and the International Federation of
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers welcomed his appointment.
"Tedros has the power to herald a new era in how the world prepares
for and responds to epidemics, including building partnerships,
strengthening public health systems, and developing new vaccines and
therapies that are available to all who need them," Jeremy Farrar,
director of the medical charity Wellcome Trust, said in a statement.
Tedros will begin his five-year term after Margaret Chan, a former
Hong Kong health director, steps down on June 30.
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Chan leaves a mixed legacy after her 10 years on the job, especially
because of WHO's slow response to West Africa's Ebola epidemic in
2013-2016, which killed 11,300 people.
In a last pitch before voting began, Tedros appealed to ministers by
promising to represent their interests and to ensure more countries
got top jobs at the Geneva-based WHO.
"I will listen to you. I was one of you. I was in your shoes and I
can understand you better," he said.
Tedros was widely seen as having the support of about 50 African
votes, but questions about his role in restricting human rights and
Ethiopia's cover-up of a cholera outbreak surfaced late in the race,
threatening to tarnish his appeal.
"You now have a clear mandate. We welcome your promises on
transparency, delivery and reform," said Sally Davies, Britain's
medical chief officer.
(Additional reporting by Kate Kelland in London; Editing by Ed
Osmond and Hugh Lawson; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
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