October 21, 2017

expert reaction to appointment of President Robert Mugabe as World Health Organisation ambassador

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that the President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, is to be a WHO goodwill ambassador.

Dr Jeremy Farrar, Director of Wellcome said:

“Dr Tedros has made a superb start to his term as DG of the WHO, with an inspiring vision, deep personal values, unlimited energy and an inclusive focus.  However, the decision to appoint Robert Mugabe as a WHO goodwill ambassador is deeply disappointing and wrong.  Robert Mugabe fails in every way to represent the values WHO should stand for and those that Dr Tedros has stood for since becoming DG and has done over many years.  Brave leaders are willing to listen, rethink and overturn bad decisions, this is one such case.”

Declared interests

None.