16 June 2016, Mbabane: Dr Tigest Ketsela Mengestu presented her letter of credence to the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Senator Chief Mgwagwa Gamedze at his offices in Mbabane on the 16th of June 2016. This followed her confirmation and appointment as the Head of Mission and Representative to the WHO Swaziland country office.  Her appointment is with effect from the 15th of April 2016.

During the meeting Dr Mengestu applauded the Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland's commitment to and prioritisation of the health sector in terms of budget allocation especially in the areas of procurement of Antiretroviral drugs, malaria commodities as well as vaccines. "Swaziland is one of few Governments in Africa that allocate a significant proportion of the national budget to the health sector" she said. She reiterated WHO's commitment to providing technical support to the Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland in all health related issues. She mentioned that WHO continues to support health systems strengthening, building a resilient health sector especially during this time when the country is experiencing severe drought. She also talked about WHO's support in epidemic preparedness and response through strengthening disease surveillance and building national response capacities for any epidemics and events of public health concern.

In response the Honourable Minister welcomed Dr Mengestu to the Kingdom of Swaziland. He mentioned that WHO is working very well with the Government of Swaziland through the programmes under the Ministry of Health with special emphasis on the good work done so far in the fight against HIV/AIDS. He also mentioned that the world is experiencing emergence of epidemic prone diseases such as the Ebola Virus Disease and the Zika Virus. He commended WHO for being at the forefront in fighting these infections, noting that Ebola was conquered and Zika Virus is almost under control. He called upon WHO to lead in discovering vaccines against these disease including for HIV. He concluded by saying "WHO should continue supporting all the health programmes in the country".

Dr Mengestu brings to Swaziland over thirty years of progressive experience in public health in various capacities and at various levels. Part of her vast experience includes significant contribution in providing policy and technical advisory support around maternal and child health. She joined the WHO in 2001 initially as a medical officer of child health and later as Director of the Health Promotion Cluster for nine years at WHO Regional Office for Africa based in Brazzaville, Congo. As Director of a Regional Cluster, she was responsible for Reproductive Maternal and Child Health; Nutrition; Women's Health and Gender; Prevention of Risk factors for Non-Communicable Diseases; Social Determinants of Health and Environmental Health including adaptation to climate change for all the 47 countries of  the WHO African Region.

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For more information, please contact:

Dr Kevin Makadzange- HPR officer, Phone :  (+268) 24042928, 24049635,  fax : (+268) 2404 4566 email: makadzangek [at] who.int