GENEVA (25 May 2018)
Earlier this morning, Prof. Itamar GROTTO, Associate Director-General at the Israeli Ministry of Health, was elected to the Executive Board of the World Health Organization, the Geneva-based UN Agency charged with directing and coordinating global public health.
Prof. GROTTO will serve as a representative of the European Region, alongside three new European representatives from Finland, Germany and Romania. The election took place in Geneva during the 71th session of the World Health Assembly, the organization’s top decision-making body.
“It is both a great honor and a great responsibility” said Prof. GROTTO following his election. “I hope to bring the best of Israel’s knowledge and expertise and work with our partners towards achieving Health for All”, he added.
Israel’s priorities at the Executive Board will include, amongst others, the Health Emergencies Program, Polio eradication, reduction of NCDs, access to assistive technologies, and technology and innovation for health.
“This is a great accomplishment for Israel, and a world recognition of Israel’s expertise in the field of health”, commented Israeli Ambassador to the UN Aviva RAZ SHECHTER. She added that “the WHO must remain a professional and expert-led organization. The global health challenges we face deserve the full and undivided attention of the international community.”
Prof. Itamar GROTTO previously served as Director of Public Health Services at the Ministry of Health, and has been representing Israel in the WHO in various capacities since 2013. He holds a PhD from the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
Prof. Itamar GROTTO is the second Israeli to hold this prestigious position, 25 years after the election of Mrs. Pnina HERZOG.
ENDS.