Dr.Sowmya Swaminathan,a paediatrician and a globally famous researcher on tuberculosis and HIV has been appointed as a Deputy Director General of the World Health Organization. This is the first time such a post has been created. It is also the highest post held by an Indian in the WHO.
She is currently the Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research. She was appointed as Deputy Director General for programmes and Ms.Jane Ellison has been appointed as the other Deputy Director General to handle Corporate Operations. Dr.Swaminathan was associated with UNICEF, WHO and World Bank for a number of years. This announcement was made by WHO’S Director General Tedros Adhanom.Representatives from 14 countries were chosen to be part of the team out of which 60% were women.
