Exclusive-Biden to nominate U.S. surgeon general to join WHO executive
board -official
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[October 05, 2022]
By Jeff Mason
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden
intends to nominate Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to be the U.S.
representative on the World Health Organization's executive board,
administration officials told Reuters on Tuesday.
Murthy has served as the top U.S. doctor under Biden and under former
President Barack Obama. He will continue in that role while taking on
the WHO position, if confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
"With his experience and expertise, the president is confident that Dr.
Murthy will build on his commitment to an era of relentless diplomacy by
representing our nation on the world stage," one official said.
"Rejoining the WHO requires an experienced and seasoned physician and
public health expert," who can expand on the U.S. commitment to global
health, the official said. "Dr. Murthy is the perfect person for that."
Upon taking office in January 2021, Biden declared that the United
States would reengage with the WHO after his predecessor, former
President Donald Trump, said in 2020 that the country would withdraw
from the organization because of its handling of the coronavirus
pandemic.
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United States Surgeon General Vivek
Murthy delivers remarks during a news conference with White House
Press Secretary Jen Psaki at the White House in Washington, U.S.,
July 15, 2021. REUTERS/Tom Brenner/File Photo
"If confirmed, I will continue to
elevate U.S leadership on the global stage and ensure public health
is at the forefront of our planning and preparation for global
challenges," Murthy said in a statement provided to Reuters.
A second administration official said Murthy would remain in
Washington, where he lives with his wife and two children, but
travel to Geneva "whenever necessary to fulfill the responsibilities
of this role."
The WHO's executive board has 34 members who serve 3-year terms. Its
purpose, according to the organization's website, is to prepare an
agenda for and implement policies by the World Health Assembly,
which is made up of the WHO member states. The U.S. has not had a
Senate-confirmed representative on the board since 2020.
(Reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
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