My dear sister Tshidi,
Congratulations on your re-appointment as WHO Regional Director for Africa.
This election demonstrates that you enjoy both the confidence and the trust of the Member States.
And for good reason. Under your leadership, the region is making very encouraging progress.
There is tangible progress in many countries for universal health coverage.
Member States have strengthened their emergency preparedness, and the time it takes to detect and contain outbreaks has reduced dramatically.
There has not been a single case of wild poliovirus in Africa for three years, and if that remains the case, Africa will be certified as polio-free this year.
The number of people with access to HIV treatment has doubled, more people are being tested than ever before and incidence is declining.
Some countries are recording some of the fastest declines globally in TB, and some are on track to eliminate malaria.
19 countries are rolling out WHO’s Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease Interventions to integrate NCD prevention and management into primary health care.
More and more countries are strengthening tobacco control and 35 Member States now have multi-sectoral action plans.
You also fostered WHO’s first innovation challenge, and many of the
transformation initiatives you have implemented in the Region have been incorporated into our global transformation.
As the first woman to be elected Regional Director for Africa, you have also made gender equality a priority, with impressive improvements in gender balance among international staff.
Of course, you know that the continent is still facing many challenges.
Out-of-pocket health spending remains a major impediment.
Many countries lack the infrastructure and the health workers they need to achieve and sustain universal health coverage.
Progress against malaria has stalled.
Antimicrobial resistance threatens to unwind much of the progress we have made.
Each of these challenges demands courageous political leadership, intelligent investment and creativity.
And there is no one better for that task than you. I have very strong confidence in you.
My dear sister, I greatly value your leadership, partnership and friendship.
You have played a key role in WHO’s Global Policy Group as we work together to build the WHO of the future.
I am honoured to call you my colleague, and I look forward to working with you closely during your second term.
You have the full support of the region. And you have mine too.
Thank you.