Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh elected as the new SEARO Regional Director After 44 years SEARO Countries of WHO elect Indian Delegate as Regional Director

Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Health & Family Welfare Minister announced that the South
East Asian Regional Organisation (SEARO) Countries have elected India’s candidate,
Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh as the Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia Region,
here today. This is after a gap of 44 years that India has regained the post of the Regional
Director of SEARO countries. India had occupied the post from 1948 – 1968, but since
1968 India has not occupied the post of the Regional Director of SEARO. The countries
met as part of the ongoing 31st meeting of Ministers of Health of countries of the WHO
South-East Asia Region and 66th session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia.
The present incumbent, Dr. Samlee Plianbangchang, is from Thailand and has served for 10
years now (two consecutive terms since 2004).

Speaking after the election, the Union Health & Family Welfare Minister said the election of the
Regional Director is an opportunity to strengthen India’s commitment to perform its role in health
and development with World Health Organisation (WHO) as a key partner. He further added that
Dr Poonam Singh is an acknowledged public health specialist and administrator with vast experience
and recognition in public health and the UN system. She would be able to contribute to regional as
well as global initiatives and further strengthen cooperation amongst SEARO Members States,
Sh Azad noted.

Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh has experience at global level in WHO as Executive Director Sustainable
Development and Healthy Environments and Member of the Cabinet of the Director-General in Geneva.
She has been Executive Director, Sustainable Development and Healthy Environments, WHO/HQ,
Geneva, 1998 –2000 and Deputy Regional Director, WHO SEARO 2000 – 2013. Dr. Singh has
international experience as Project Officer, World Bank, Resident Mission in India: 1987-1989.
At National level Dr Singh has been the Advisor, International Health, Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare, Government of India from 1st March 2013. She has also been Secretary,
(1994-1995 and 1996-1997) and Joint Secretary (1984-1986), Department of
Health & Family Welfare Punjab, India.

The South East Asian Regional Organisation (SEARO) is one of the six regions of WHO with its
HQ in New Delhi, India. SEARO has 11 countries, namely, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh,
Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Timor Leste and DPR Korea. SEARO is
headed by a Regional Director (RD) who is elected by the members of the SEARO countries.
The RD has a term of five years and, though elections are held, customarily, the RD gets a second term.

Persons who have held this post in the past are Dr. C. Mani (1948-1968; India), Dr. V.T.H.
Gunaratne (1968-1981; Sri Lanka), Dr. U KoKo (1981-1994; Myanmar) and
Dr. Uton Muchtar Rafei (1994-2004; Indonesia).

Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh ******
MV/GM
(Release ID :99297)