Experts from the related field have requested the Nepal government not to withdraw the candidature for the post of Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO).
They have requested not to withdraw Dr Shambhu Prasad Acharya's candidature for the post of the Director of WHO's South East Asia region.
According to Rita Thapa, the first female director, the position, Nepal has now applied for, is the most prestigious in terms of WHO.
"Because, under the WHO, the first regional office to look after the South East Asia Region (SEAR) was established," she said, "this office has a history of playing an important role in eliminating smallpox in Nepal in the past."
“If Dr Acharya is elected as the director for this regional office, he can play an important role during similar epidemics, so his victory can be productive for Nepal,” Thapa said.
It is to be recalled that the South East Asia Regional Office was established under WHO in 1948.
“To protect the dignity of such an important institution, Dr. Acharya's win is necessary,” said Dr. Thapa, adding, “There is no other candidate as experienced and capable as Acharya for this responsibility.”
Public health expert Dr. Badri Pandey said that Acharya has the ability to turn challenges into opportunities.
According to Dr Naresh Pratap KC, who has spent a long time in the field of public health, currently the executive director of Family Planning Association of Nepal, although Nepalis have a good presence in the United Nations and other international bodies, they are not in the WHO, hence, Dr Acharya's election as regional director will be significant for Nepal.
"More importantly, his victory will expand vaccination programs in this region," said Dr KC said, "There will be an increase in public health programs through WHO."
Nepal has officially advanced the candidature of Acharya who is contesting the election to be held at the regional office of WHO in New Delhi on November 1.
Dr Acharya, who is competing for regional director of South East Asia, had been appointed to the post of Director of Country Strategy and Support at WHO's Geneva Office four years ago.
This department is considered very important as it is under the Secretary General of WHO. Dr Acharya is also the first Nepali to receive such important responsibility under WHO.
Dr Acharya, who started his professional career from the Family Planning Association of Nepal, has a degree in Health Policy and Management from the Gillings School of Global Public Health University in America.
Besides, the then Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, in 2016, had nominated Acharya as a board member of the UN System Staff College. This assignment was for two years.
However, the incumbent Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, extended his term for some time after noticing his efficiency. Based on such a strong performance, Nepal, on the basis of his efficient performance as the director of WHO's Country Strategy and Support Department, put forward Acharya as a candidate.
Acharya is being challenged by Saima Wazed of Bangladesh, the daughter of incumbent President Sheikh Hasina.
"They are trying to exercise familialism even in an organization like WHO, so there are two options before the voting countries: choose a good person or our person," Dr Pandey said, "If the dignity of WHO is to be preserved, Dr Acharya should be chosen, as he is the most competent and suitable of the two candidates.”
Eleven countries -- Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, South Korea, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste – are included in the WHO’s SEAR Office.
According to the information given in the program, the health ministers of the member countries will vote on behalf of their respective countries in the voting for the regional director position. Voting will be confidential.
Then, instead of 'lobbying' with the respective countries as voters, why was the 'lobbying' done in favor of Acharya by gathering journalists in Kathmandu?
The reason for this is the doubt whether Nepal, under the influence of Bangladesh, will withdraw Dr Acharya's candidature. Because Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has intensified lobbying to get her daughter Saima Wazed elected unopposed.
"Whenever she regularly reaches the international stage, she takes her daughter Saima with her and arranges meetings with high-ranking officials," said journalist Kanak Mani Dixit, one of the organizers of the event, "Under the pretext of improving Nepal-Bangladesh relations, Dr Acharya's candidature can also be withdrawn.”
According to Dixit, India currently has a cordial relationship with Bangladesh in South Asia. "The government of Nepal is also a comfortable government," he added. In order for that not to happen, there should be a concerted effort from all areas.
In the program, Dr. Bishwa Prakash Parajuli, and Dr. Bhagawan Koirala said that all Nepalis should play a role in their respective areas to make Acharya's candidature successful.
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