Awwad elected Deputy Head of WHO Mediterranean Regional Director

Dr. Jawad Awwad Palestinian Minister of Health was elected on Friday as Deputy Head of World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr. Mahmoud Fikri.

The nomination was made during the meetings of the 64th session of WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean which is being held in Pakistan.

Ministry of Health said in a brief press statement that this position grants the State of Palestine the right to lead the meeting of Arab Health Ministers in addition to Ministers of Health in Pakistan Iran and Afghanistan in case of the absence of the Director General.

Awwad has been leading the Ministry of Health since 2013 within the national consensus government headed by Rami al-Hamdallah.