29 July 2016, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA | Dr. Akpaka Kalu, the newly appointed WHO Representative to Ethiopia, presented his credentials to  H.E. Dr Tedros Adhanom, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia on 29 July 2016.

H.E. Dr Tedros Adhanom gave Dr. Kalu a warm welcome and assured him of the Government's continued support as he accepted Dr. Kalu’s credential. “I wish you all the best and we will support you in any way possible to make your stay successful,” he said.

In presenting himself, Dr. Akpaka Kalu highlighted that he was in Ethiopia as the representative of the WHO Director General, Dr. Margaret Chan, and the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, with a focus on promoting maximum return on investment for health and development in the context of national health and development priorities. Specifically, added Dr. Kalu, “WHO would continue its support to Ethiopia in sustaining its achievements in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) especially through the Health Extension Program.”

Following Dr. Kalu’s statement, H.E. Dr. Tedros Adhanom in his remark underscored that community-based intervention is a key approach to universal health coverage that needs to be strengthened since communities are producers of their own health and prevention of communicable and non-communicable disease can only be attained through their active participation. He added, "Communities have the right to get health information and knowledge, and this can be transferred through health workers and change agents who are mainly women in Ethiopia.”

H.E. Dr Tedros also highlighted the need to document best health practices and share with the world. He also mentioned that Ethiopia has tried to study and apply other countries' models and create a hybrid cocktail of good health practice.

Dr. Kalu further committed himself to lead the WHO Team in Ethiopia to become a more reliable, responsive and responsible partner to support the country in its commitment to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and achieve Universal Health Coverage for its people.

For further information, Please contact:

Selamawit Yilma
EPI Communication Officer
email: yilmas [at] who.int
Tel.251 911 671134