Kathmandu, October 5
Nepal is preparing to contest the top post of the World Health Organization’s South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO), with the government planning to nominate Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Food Safety, Dr Sangeeta Kaushal Mishra, for regional director.
The post became vacant after former regional director Saima Wazed of Bangladesh resigned.
According to sources at the Ministry of Health, the government has decided to put forward Mishra’s candidacy and has already started diplomatic efforts to secure support from member states.
The WHO is preparing to announce the official schedule for the election of the new regional director. According to sources, nominations are expected to open on October 12, with the election scheduled for January 24.
Nepal is not the only country preparing to field a candidate. Bhutan, the Maldives and Sri Lanka are also expected to put forward candidates.
WHO’s South-East Asia Region has 11 member states. However, only 10 countries are expected to participate in the voting this time. Myanmar will be excluded from the voting process due to United Nations sanctions imposed following the military coup in 2021.
Nepal, India, Bhutan, North Korea, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste are among the countries whose votes are expected to be significant in the election.
Health sector experts say India’s position could have a major influence on the outcome.
“Cabinet has also decided to nominate her as a candidate for regional director. We have now started preparations to secure votes and support from member states,” a Health Ministry official said.
Mishra had previously been proposed for appointment as health minister during the interim government led by Sushila Karki. Her name was also sent to the Office of the President for approval.
However, Karki withdrew the decision to appoint her after being informed that a case against Mishra was under investigation at the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority.
The Special Court acquitted Mishra in the case on June 15.
Nepal had previously fielded senior public health expert Dr Shambhu Acharya, who works at WHO headquarters, in the 2023 election for the SEARO regional director. Saima Wazed received eight votes in that election, while Acharya received two.
Wazed was later suspended following political changes in Bangladesh, corruption allegations against her and an internal WHO investigation. She subsequently resigned from the regional director position on September 9.
