Henk Bekedam appointed new WHO representative to India

New Delhi: Senior public health specialist Henk Bekedam has taken charge as the World Health Organisation representative to India, an official statement said on Wednesday.

“It is a privilege to be in India. I am looking forward to building upon and further strengthening the excellent partnership that WHO has with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and with other stakeholders,” said Bekedam who has worked for 19 years with the WHO. 

In his earlier roles Bekedam, a Dutch national and a medical doctor by training, served as WHO representative in China and Egypt, director of Health Sector Development in the WHO Western Pacific Region Office in Manila in the Philippines and as team leader of the health sector reform project in Cambodia. 

“WHO India will continue to strive towards further strengthening health and equity in the country, as India takes major steps towards Universal Health Coverage,” he added.