Armenian pediatric oncologist enters race for WHO director-general

Armenian pediatric oncologist Gevorg Tamamyan has entered the race to become the next director-general of the World Health Organisation, with his candidacy put forward by Botswana rather than Armenia.

Tamamyan is one of six candidates seeking to succeed current WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The election is scheduled for May 2027, with the new director-general due to be appointed at the 80th session of the World Health Assembly. Tedros’ term expires on August 15, 2027.

The other candidates named in the current field are Hans Kluge, a Belgian and head of the WHO Regional Office for Europe; former Qatari Health Minister Hanan Al-Kuwari; Hanan Balkhi, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean; and Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin. Spain nominated Maria Neira, director of the WHO Department of Public Health, on the final day of the nomination process.

A shortlist of three candidates is due to be selected in January next year.

Kluge has temporarily stepped aside from his position as head of the WHO European office to campaign for the top post.

The leadership contest comes as the WHO faces financial pressures following the withdrawal of the United States. The organisation has already cut more than 1,000 jobs amid reduced funding.

Tedros has also warned that the world remains inadequately prepared for future pandemics.

Tamamyan said on social media that he had devoted his professional career to pediatric oncology, with a particular focus on expanding healthcare in regions where resources are limited and access to medical services is inadequate.

By Tamilla Hasanova