Hanan H. Balkhy announces candidacy for WHO Director-General

Dr. Hanan H. Balkhy, the current WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, has announced her candidacy for Director-General of the World Health Organization. Nominated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Balkhy is proposing a platform centered on building a more trusted, prepared, and accountable organization.

Her campaign focuses on three pillars: earning trust through science and stewardship, delivering impact through preparedness and country-led action, and demonstrating value through measurable results. Dr. Balkhy, a physician with over 30 years of experience in clinical medicine, academic research, and international public health, aims to transform universal health coverage from a global commitment into a lived reality for individuals.