MMV welcomes the election of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as the new Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Under Dr Tedros’ leadership as Ethiopia’s Minister of Health from 2005 to 2012, the nation achieved remarkable results in preventing and controlling malaria. Ethiopia reduced malaria deaths by more than 50 percent, in part by training and deploying an army of community health workers across the country.

“We warmly congratulate Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus’ on his appointment as the new DG of WHO,” said Dr David Reddy, CEO of MMV. “Dr Tedros is not only a proven reformer, bringing decades of experience at the national and international level, but he has led and witnessed first-hand the benefits of reducing the burden of malaria in his home country of Ethiopia.”

Prior to his election, Dr Tedros served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ethiopia from 2012–2016 and as Minister of Health, Ethiopia from 2005–2012. He has also served as chair of the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; as chair of the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership Board; and as co-chair of the Board of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.

“Dr Tedros’ appointment this week is extremely timely, as we embark on a new chapter in the fight against malaria,” Dr Reddy added. “By 2030, the world aims to reduce malaria cases and deaths by 90 percent and eliminate the disease in an additional 35 countries. Through the development of next-generation antimalarials, we look forward to supporting Dr Tedros’ efforts to achieve these targets and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.”