The World Health Organization has revoked the appointment of Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe as a goodwill ambassador following a widespread outcry.
“I have listened carefully to all who have expressed their concerns,” WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement.
He had previously praised Zimbabwe for its commitment to public health.
But critics pointed out that Zimbabwe’s healthcare system had collapsed under Mr Mugabe’s 30-year rule.
Staff often go without pay, medicines are in short supply, and Mr Mugabe, who has outlived the average life expectancy in his country by three decades, travels abroad for medical treatment.
Mr Tedros said he had consulted with the Zimbabwean government and decided that rescinding Mr Mugabe’s position was “in the best interests of” the WHO.
He said he remained “firmly committed to working with all countries and their leaders” to build universal health care.
Mr Tedros, elected in May under the slogan “let’s prove the impossible is possible” had said he hoped Mr Mugabe would use his goodwill ambassador role to “influence his peers in the region”.
But the appointment was met by a wave of surprise and condemnation. The UK government, the Canadian prime minister, the Wellcome Trust, the NCD Alliance, UN Watch, the World Heart Federation, Action Against Smoking and Zimbabwean lawyers and social media users were among those who criticised the decision.
Post published in: Featured
It was a foolish thing for WHO to have done, the organisation has staff in Harare and one expected them to know what a mess President Mugabe has made in Zimbabwe!
WHO is just another corrupt and useless bureaucratic organisation like SADC, AU and UN.
Very true!
mug abe needa start itz dirt nap now, not affa it dyes
An excellent post also on this site can be found here https://www.thezimbabwean.co/2017/10/zimbabweans-stop-living-fantasy-land-take-responsibility-future/ and in light of those thoughts – it DOES seem right that that WHO should have cancelled his ambassador role.
A dreadful excuse of a man who lets his countryfolks die from lack of cheap medication while he spends whatever resources are needed to keep treating him in the best hospitals of the world.
Mugabe is no Ambassador – he (and ZANU PF) is what keeps Zimbabwe in poverty, misery and without adequate food or medication.
As the post I linked to above rightly points out, there is little use blaming sanctions when millions are wasted on government frivolities.
Alas, not sure what will change even when Mad Bob finally dies.