The New Leadership Team at WHO: Restructuring Update
Newsletter Edition #270 [The Files Flash]
Hi,
Here is a brief update from us on this morning’s announcement at World Health Organization of a newly restructured leadership team. This story may be updated subsequently when we have more information.
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NEWS FLASH: WHO RESTRUCTURING
Announcement of New Leadership Team at World Health Organization
The following is an excerpt of the email sent by Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to all staff at World Health Organization this morning. (Geneva Health Files has seen the communication.)
Last month, DG Tedros had told member states that the institutional structure of World Health Organization will shrink by nearly half to 34 departments (from 76).
The previous leadership team included, Michael Ryan, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme. The Assistant Directors-General who do not feature in the restructured team are: Samira Asma, Data, Analytics and Delivery; Bruce Aylward, Universal Health Coverage, Life Course; Catharina Boehme, External Relations and Governance; Ailan Li, Universal Health Coverage, Healthier Populations; Jérôme Salomon, Universal Health Coverage, Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases.
Chikwe Ihekweazu, previously Assistant Director-General for the Division of Health Emergency Intelligence and Surveillance Systems in the Emergencies Programme, will now head the Emergencies Programme.
(Ihekweazu has also served as the organization's acting regional director for Africa. Countries are also expected to elect a new regional director for Africa over the weekend ahead of the World Health Assembly next week.)
The restructuring is the result of one of the worst financial crisis facing the organization following the retreat by multiple donors, including notably the United States at the beginning of 2025.
WHO is facing a salary gap of as much as US$ 650 million for the next two years 2026–27 – this is nearly 25% of current staffing costs, he said. (In addition, there is a hole of US $ 600 million in the current year.)
The new structure is expected along the following lines, as per discussions last month: three core pillars of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and Control; Health Systems; and Health Emergency Preparedness and Response. In addition, these technical divisions will be supported by the Office of the Chief Scientist. The division of Business Operations and Compliance will include the traditional corporate functions, while the Office of the Director-General will oversee corporate functions including accountability, governance, legal and external relations.
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