ZAGREB, Sept 12 (Hina) - The World Health Organisation (WHO) is to elect a new director of its regional office for Europe during the 49th session of the WHO regional committee, scheduled for 13-17 September in Florence, Italy.
ZAGREB, Sept 12 (Hina) - The World Health Organisation (WHO) is to
elect a new director of its regional office for Europe during the
49th session of the WHO regional committee, scheduled for 13-17
September in Florence, Italy.#L#
One of six candidates for this office is Croatia's Health Minister,
Zeljko Reiner.
The post of the director of the WHO Office for Europe is very
important, as the European office is the most important and
numerous part of the World Health Organisation which finances 50
percent of the WHO entire budget, Minister Reiner explained.
As this function is so important, not only the references of a
candidate but also politics exert influence on the election of the
candidate.
The new director is to be chosen on Wednesday, and under current
estimates, my chances are good, and I have received letters of
support from a dozen countries, the Croatian minister added.
Fifty health ministers will choose the new director by a majority
vote for the five-year term of office.
The newly elected director assumes this duty after his/her
selection is confirmed by the WHO executive committee, whose
session is convened for January next year.
The incumbent director, dr. Jo E. Asvall, who has been holding this
post since 1985, is to be retire.
Besides Croatia's Health Minister, other five candidates are Marc
Danzon from France, Ilona Kickbusch from Germany, Zarko Pavic from
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Agis Tsouros from Greece and Thomas Zeltner
fro Switzerland.
(hina) ms