Indians With Pivotal Positions in WHO

Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh:

Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh is at present the Regional Director for South-East Asia Regional Organization (SEARO), which is one of the six regions of WHO. She has worked as the Deputy Regional Director for the South-East Asia Region for 14 years. An Indian national, Dr. Poonam's responsibility is to address the ever-persistent and emerging epidemiological and demographic challenges in South East Asia, and also push the agenda for universal health coverage and vigorous health systems. Now being the Regional Director, she is able to vociferously raise a regional stand in the health agenda on the global platform.

This is good news, as an Indian delegate has regained the post of the Regional Director of SEARO countries for the first time after 1968. Dr. C. Mani was the Regional Director for SEARO in 1968. Dr. Poonam is also the first woman to hold the prestigious post.

Dr. Poonam served as the civil servant in India for more than two decades. She was the Secretary and Joint Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, before moving to the Health, Population and Nutrition Department of The World Bank in 1987. She then joined WHO headquarters as Executive Director for Sustainable Development and Healthy Environment division in 1998.

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