The World Health Organization (WHO) has appointed Dr Vanea Kerry as the Director-General’s Special Envoy for Health Resilience, giving her a new mandate to push for stronger and more sustainable health systems globally.
The organisation announced the appointment in a statement on Wednesday, saying Kerry would promote resilient, integrated and sustainably financed health systems capable of dealing with everyday health challenges and emerging threats.
Kerry to Focus on Climate Change, Health Emergencies
According to the WHO, Kerry’s mandate will cover climate change, health emergencies and other complex challenges affecting health systems and communities worldwide.
The organisation said the appointment builds on Kerry’s previous work as WHO’s first Director-General Special Envoy for Climate Change and Health.
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said Kerry’s appointment was a natural progression of the work she had already done with the organisation.
“Her leadership has helped elevate climate change as a critical health issue and build momentum for stronger and more resilient health systems,” Tedros said.
As Special Envoy, Kerry will engage with governments, development partners, multilateral institutions, civil society and the private sector on ways to strengthen health system resilience.
The WHO said she would also advocate for stronger health systems, sustainable financing and better coordination of partners and resources around national health priorities.
Push for Sustainable Health Financing
Kerry’s responsibilities will include promoting investment in integrated health systems and sustainable financing for universal health coverage, including stronger domestic resource mobilisation.
The WHO said her role would also involve high-level advocacy, resource mobilisation and providing strategic advice to WHO leadership on health resilience.
The organisation said the new mandate would prioritise climate-resilient health systems, investment in health workers and country-led financing approaches, while encouraging stronger coordination among global health partners.
Kerry Calls for Long-Term Investment
Kerry said countries cannot build resilient health systems without sustained investment in the people and structures that keep them running.
“Resilient health systems must be built over time through sustained investment in the workforce, financing and infrastructure,” she said.
According to Kerry, such investment would help countries better withstand climate pressures, pandemics and funding shocks.
Her new role will therefore focus on strengthening health systems so they can continue providing essential services while responding to emerging global health threats.
Share this
