The World Health Organization (WHO) has appointed Dr Vanessa Kerry as its Director-General’s Special Envoy for Health Resilience.
The organisation, which made this known on Wednesday in a statement, said Kerry would promote resilient, integrated and sustainably financed health systems capable of addressing everyday health challenges and emerging threats.
“Her mandate will cover climate change, health emergencies and other complex global challenges affecting health systems and communities worldwide.
“The appointment builds on Kerry’s previous role as WHO’s first Director-General Special Envoy for Climate Change and Health,” it said.
It quoted WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus as saying the appointment represented a natural evolution of Kerry’s work with the organisation.
According to the statement, Ghebreyesus said her leadership had helped elevate climate change as a critical health issue and build momentum for stronger and more resilient health systems.
“As Special Envoy, Kerry will engage governments, development partners, multilateral institutions, civil society and the private sector on health system resilience.
“She will advocate for stronger health systems, sustainable financing and better coordination of partners and resources around national health priorities.
“Kerry will also promote investment in integrated health systems and sustainable financing for universal health coverage, including domestic resource mobilisation.
“Her responsibilities will include high-level advocacy, resource mobilisation and providing strategic advice to WHO leadership on health resilience,” the statement said.
It said that, according to the Director-General, the role would prioritise climate-resilient health systems, investments in health workers and country-led financing approaches while encouraging greater coordination among global health partners.
According to the statement, Kerry said resilient health systems must be built over time through sustained investment in the workforce, financing and infrastructure, enabling countries to withstand climate pressures, pandemics and funding shocks.
