PHILIPPINES NOMINATES PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERT FOR REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
23 May 2018 - The Philippines has nominated Dr. Susan Pineda Mercado, Special Envoy of the President for Global Health Initiatives, for the position of Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Western Pacific.
In announcing the nomination, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Dr. Mercado is eminently qualified to spearhead WHO initiatives to bring better health outcomes at the country level, including the Philippines and other countries in the region.
"Dr. Mercado is uniquely qualified for this role because of her professional competence, proven track record, and commitment to a more proactive WHO in the Western Pacific,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano said.
“With her efficient work ethic and heart for public service, we are convinced that she will make the WHO a truly responsive organization in these complex times," Secretary Cayetano said.
“Dr. Mercado believes that the best role for WHO in the Western Pacific is to be of service to the people of the region and collective needs of the Member States, in order to truly deliver on the promise organizations goal of being Healthy Together, Today,” the Secretary said.
As Regional Director of the World Health Organization Regional Office for Western Pacific (WPRO), Dr. Mercado would be expected to seek practical solutions to public health issues in the Philippines and the Western Pacific with a combined population of 1.9 billion people.
Dr. Mercado formerly served at the WPRO as the Director for Non-Communicable Diseases and Health through the Life-Course where she leads teams of international public health experts who work closely with governments in 31 countries and areas across Asia and the Pacific.
She has served the WHO for more than 15 years. She has also served as the Regional Adviser for Health Promotion in WPRO and as the Team Leader for Urban Health Equity of the WHO Kobe Center in Japan as well as the WPRO’s Tobacco Free Initiative.
Dr. Mercado also previously served as Undersecretary and Chief of Staff of the Department of Health where she oversaw major reforms and demonstrated strong managerial skills.
Dr. Mercado graduated from the University of the Philippines with a degree in AB Philosophy (magna cum laude). She obtained her Doctor of Medicine and Masters in Public Health degrees from the same university.
For more information on the campaign, Dr. Mercado may be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or through the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, 11th Floor, DFA Main Building, 2330 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, 1300 Philippines. END