KATHMANDU, Oct 9: A group of public health experts and civil society leaders voiced their concerns on Sunday, criticizing the government for not adequately pursuing diplomatic endeavors to ensure the success of Nepal’s candidate, Dr. Shambhu Acharya, for the position of Regional Director of WHO-SEARO.

During a press conference held in the capital, the group expressed worry over the lack of proactive efforts by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) to garner votes for Dr. Acharya as the election date approaches. They also denounced the Bangladesh government for an undignified campaign, including lobbying the Nepalese government to withdraw its candidacy, due to Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina’s daughter, Saima, being a contender for the same post.

Additionally, public health experts and civil society leaders cautioned the government against retracting the candidacy of the Nepali national, emphasizing the recommendations from experts in the field to maintain the candidature for the position of regional director of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Addressing the press conference, Dr. Rita Thapa, WHO's first female director, highlighted the significance of the position Nepal is vying for, as it holds a pivotal role in WHO's South Asia and South East Asia regions. She stressed that the historical significance of this office, particularly its vital role in eradicating smallpox in Nepal in the past, emphasizes the importance of Dr. Acharya's potential victory in aiding similar future epidemics.

Dr. Thapa stressed that Dr. Acharya's victory is urgent to safeguard the prestige of this crucial institution, asserting that there is no candidate more experienced and capable than Acharya for this responsibility.

Dr. Badri Pandey, a public health expert, commended Dr. Acharya's ability to transform challenges into opportunities, citing his extensive experience in the field. Pandey, the current executive director of the Nepal Family Planning Association, underlined the potential positive impact of Dr. Acharya's victory on Nepal and the region.

Naresh Pratap KC emphasized the importance of having a Nepali presence in global organizations like WHO, highlighting that Dr. Acharya's victory as regional director would be a significant achievement for Nepal, especially in expanding vaccination programs and public health initiatives in the area.

With the election scheduled for November 1 at the WHO regional office in New Delhi, Nepal has officially nominated Dr. Acharya, who has served as the Director of Country Strategy and Support at WHO's Geneva office for the past four years.

Former WFP Country Representative in India, Bishwa Parajuli, voiced strong support for Dr. Acharya, praising his extensive experience and work in public health policies at WHO. Parajuli emphasized that Dr. Acharya's election would not only benefit Nepal but also have a positive impact on all the countries in the region.

Senior journalist and civil society activist Kanak Mani Dixit raised questions about the government’s advocacy for Nepal’s candidate, pointing out the silence from MoFA on the matter and suggesting a potential influence from the Bangladeshi government to withdraw the candidacy

Below is the full text of the statement issued by civil society members in support of Nepal’s candidate for the Regional Director of WHO-SEARO

There is an increasing number of highly qualified Nepali citizens with world-class credentials in various professions internationally, yet even today there are few in senior leadership positions in the United Nations system. An opportunity has arisen with filling the vacancy for the Regional Director of the World Health Organisation’s Southeast Asia regional office (SEARO), which also oversees the South Asia region.

We welcome the Government of Nepal’s nomination of a highly qualified candidate, Dr. Shambhu Acharya, for this important position and for investing effort to mobilise support for his candidature. The Regional Director’s position is vitally important for the future health and wellbeing of hundreds of millions in our region, where medical and public health challenges must be monitored and overseen by capable leadership within WHO.

It is obvious to us that Dr. Acharya is the better fit between the two candidates nominated for the position. He possesses a very strong public health background and has extensive leadership experience in tackling global health issues. Dr. Acharya has impeccable credentials with a PhD in public health, specialising in health policy and planning from a globally renowned university; a Masters in Sociology focusing on social policy; and an MBA in public finance and strategic management.

Dr. Acharya knows the public health and medical challenges of our region intimately, having worked for three decades strengthen responses at local, national, regional and global levels, including in Nepal, Bangladesh and India, apart from his responsibilities at WHO headquarters in Geneva. Dr. Acharya managed large-scale World Bank-funded projects in health and population in Bangladesh and played a key role in establishing the Asia-Pacific Health Economics Network to build the health financing capacity of WHO member states.

Working directly with the Director-General WHO, Dr. Acharya has been part of high-level policy and strategy decisions, which have also included interactions with heads of government, ministers, and health professionals all over the Asian continent. He has represented WHO in various UN bodies advocating for universal health coverage within the broader UN development agenda. Most recently, Dr. Acharya played a central role in ensuring that WHO was effective in response to the COVID-19 crisis in the most seriously affected countries.

Dr. Acharya has authored an impressive list of papers in various areas of health and development that gives him a high level of credibility in global and regional public health circles. His vision statement for the SEARO candidacy is clear, succinct, innovative and forward-looking.

Several highly respected global health journals, such as The Lancet, the British Medical Journal and others have highlighted the importance of the WHO-SEARO Regional Director’s position and called for the appointment of a suitably qualified candidate for the post. Dr. Acharya has been acknowledged by many global health professionals and leaders as the most qualified candidate for this crucial position, even beyond the present contest.

In contrast, the only other candidate in competition for the position is regarded by the public health and medical fraternity as a political protégé with a privileged pedigree whose thin resumé is not adequate to lead a complex global health institution such as WHO-SEARO. The unabashed, high-profile lobbying at senior most political levels, aided by a mother’s access to global leaders at unrelated summits and conclaves, has generated cautionary commentary not only in public health circles but also in journals of renown and credible international media.

In the current post-Covid public health environment with its numerous challenges, including those related to income disparities, climate crisis, and the potential surge of new vectors with potential for great destruction, UN leaders steering health issues must have strong credentials and proven dynamism.

Because Dr. Acharya achieving the position of Regional Director would be beneficial for our entire region, we believe the Government of Nepal must redouble efforts among concerned governments of the region in favour of his outstanding candidacy. Further, we demand a transparent election process so that the better qualified candidate is elected to this important position.

 
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