New leadership for the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean: exceptional election in an exceptional time

Abstract

On May 19, 2018, during the 71st World Health Assembly, the 21 health ministers, or their representatives, from the Eastern Mediterranean region are due to elect a new Regional Director for the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO) in a special session of its regional committee. The exceptional election follows the unexpected death of Mahmoud Fikri who was WHO EMRO Regional Director for only 8 months during 2017. WHO has accelerated the normally lengthy election process to fill the vacuum in WHO EMRO leadership. Eight countries have fielded candidates1 (panel), a reflection of the prevailing discord among member states.