KUALA LUMPUR: Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has been appointed as the World Health Organisation (WHO) Executive Board vice-chair representing the Western Pacific region until next year.
The appointment was shared by Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah in a Facebook post today.
It is understood the announcement was made today at around 10am (local time).
"Alhamdulillah and congratulations to Health MInister Khairy Jamaluddin on his appointment as the vice-Chair of the WHO Executive Board representing the Western Pacific Region (WPR) for 2022-2023.
"This appointment is unprecedented and a great honour for Malaysia. In the midst of every crisis, lies great opportunities to do what is right for the people and communities, locally and globally.
"Malaysia aspires to champion the priorities and vital common issues that the regional and global communities face, by being the voice as the Vice President of World Health Assembly and now the Vice Chair of WHO Executive Board.
"In solidarity, we will address current issues such as International Health Regulations (IHR), vaccine inequity, Health Systems and all related Global Public Health preparedness and response to win the public health battle together," he said.
Malaysia is also currently serving as board member of the WHO Executive Board from 2021 to 2024.
Khairy also uploaded a post to address his appointment on Twitter.
"After Malaysia was given the honour as vice president of the World Health Assembly, today the country was chosen as vice-chair for WHO Executive Board.
"Alhamdulillah, @KKMPutrajaya will continue to represent Malaysia's voice to the world health stage," he said.
On May 23, Khairy was appointed as one of the five vice-presidents of the 75th World Health Assembly which was held in Geneva, Switzerland from May 22 to 30.
Khairy was appointed along with candidates representing four other countries namely Bulgaria, Indonesia, Togo and the United States of America.