Dr Hiromasa Okayasu

Dr. Hiromasa Okayasu has over 20 years of experience in both public health and the private sector, offering significant expertise in policy and strategy development for various public health initiatives. He has spent 15 years in various roles at the World Health Organization (WHO), currently serving as the Director of Data, Strategy and Innovation at the WHO's Western Pacific Regional Office.

At the WHO Headquarters, Dr. Okayasu led the Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV) technology transfer initiative, aiming to enhance IPV production capabilities worldwide. This effort successfully facilitated the transfer of IPV manufacturing technology to various countries, resulting in the authorization of three new IPV products. Moreover, as the secretariat for the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization's polio working group, Dr. Okayasu coordinated WHO immunization policies and strategies concerning polio. SAGE recommendations led to key global policy decisions, including the declaration by WHO of the international spread of poliovirus as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in May 2014, under the International Health Regulations (IHR), and the withdrawal of OPV2 (Oral Polio Vaccine type 2) in April 2016.

In WHO Cambodia, Dr. Okayasu led the Mekong Malaria Elimination programme, strengthening subregional coordination and national implementation. Under his leadership, Cambodia achieved a reduction of more than 90% in malaria cases, contributing to substantial progress across the Greater Mekong Subregion. This work was recognized with the WHO Regional Director’s Award in 2019.

At the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific in Manila, he pioneered the Healthy Ageing Programme, promoting a whole-of-society approach and supporting Member States to adapt health and social systems to rapidly ageing populations. He later served as Director of Healthy Environments and Populations, leading work on noncommunicable disease prevention, social determinants of health, healthy schools and cities, healthy ageing, and environmental health.

In his current role as Director of Data, Strategy and Innovation, Dr. Okayasu provides strategic leadership on data, digital health, responsible artificial intelligence, innovation, research, and foresight, positioning the division as an engine for future-ready health systems. His work focuses on strengthening data and digital governance, scaling integrated health information systems, embedding responsible AI, and translating long-term vision into measurable results for Member States.

Prior to the WHO, Dr. Okayasu worked for McKinsey & Company as a management consultant in Japan and the U.S., contributing to various strategic issues in both private and public sectors. He led problem-solving efforts and provided strategic advice on various management issues in both the private and public sectors, including healthcare companies and government offices. His work focused on improving healthcare access, availability of medical products, and developing strategies for system improvements.

He holds an MBA from Stanford University, USA, and an MD from Keio University, Japan.