[e-drug] WHO/EDM Management Changes

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E-DRUG: WHO/EDM Management Changes
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[original message dated 9 March 2000]

In message this morning from the Director General several new senior 
staff announcements were made, among which:

Effective next Monday, 13 March, Dr Michael Scholtz becomes Special
Representative of the Director General, "charged primarily to work with the
private sector on improved access to relevant drugs and vaccines.  Dr Scholtz
will be report to my office (ie, DG's office) and working closely with the
relevant cluster."

Also effective 13 March, Dr Hiro Suzuki becomes Executive Director of Health
Technology and Pharmaceuticals (HTP), in which EDM sits.

Below is Dr Suzuki's CV from the WHO web page.  Also enclosed is a transition
note from Michael Scholtz which he asked that we share with all staff. 

*****************************************

Dr Yasuhiro Suzuki
Executive Director, Social Change and Mental Health

The Director General of the World Health Organization, Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland,
appointed Doctor Yasuhiro Suzuki Executive Director - Social Change and Mental
Health, effective 21 July, 1998.  He becomes Executive Director, Health
Technology and Pharmaceuticals, effective 13 March 2000.

Dr Yasuhiro Suzuki was born in Yokohama, Japan on 26 September, 1959.  Dr Suzuki
received his Medical Doctor degree from the Keio University School of Medicine
in 1984. Afterwards, he received a Master of Public Health (1989) and a Master
of Science (1990) from the Harvard School of Public Health and a Ph.D. (1996)
from Keio University.

At the time of his appointment, Dr Suzuki was Deputy Director of the Division of
Ageing and Health in the Ministry of Health of Japan. His responsibilities
included resource allocation in health care expenditure for the elderly, health
promotion and screening programmes for the aged, and development of long-term
care insurance for the aged to be introduced in the year 2000. Dr Suzuki began
his career in 1984 as a Clinical Resident in the Akita Stroke Research Center
(Japan) where he did his residency in neurology. In 1986, he became Medical
Supervisor in the Akita Public health Center where he was responsible for
community-wide health promotion programmes targeting prevention of
cerebrovascular disease.

In 1987, Dr Suzuki joined the Ministry of Health of Japan as Unit Chief for the
Division of Mental Health. He then went on to become the Deputy Director for the
Environmental Health Department (1990), the Deputy Director of the Food Safety
Division in the Ministry of Health (1992), and then the Deputy Director of the
International Affairs Division in that same ministry.

Dr Yasuhiro Suzuki is married and has one daughter


---------------
Author: scholtzm
Date:       9-Mar-2000 12:47

Dear All

By now you will have read the official announcement made by the Director General
on new assignments of Senior Staff. There is little add as it relates to the HTP
cluster other than what I said yesterday evening during the briefing in which I
thanked you for your contribution and hard work in making HTP a strong,
successful entity:  

Vaccines and Biological: has been placed high on the WHO agenda, driving polio
eradication and forming the newly created Global Alliance for Vaccines and
Immunization.

Blood safety and Clinical Technology: Clearly a "sunrise" area instrumental in
leading the 2000 World Health Day (which is a sign of confidence to our
technical work and ability to manage the event), the  Alliances for Blood Safety
and Injection Safety. There are high expectations of our member states and we
have increased our capacity to deliver.

We have successfully managed the difficult task of the revised drug strategy
resolution, clearly defined our drug policies and get the buy in from the DG as
it relates to trade and health issues.

And finally I think it is fair to say that we have one (if not the) best MSU(s)
- the spirit, committment and morale of HTP staff in difficult times of change
has been "impecable" - factual discussion, overall no-nonsense management and
high integrity of staff.

Sure, there are areas of improvement but these are achievements you should be
proud of - I certainly am. 

So why the change? In anticipation of some "unfounded gossip" (that is the most
polite word I could find) I want to make clear and reiterate what I said
yesterday: the position and challenge I am taking on is born out of meeting the
DGs priorities and answering a need where I have recognized skills, skills that
I brought to the organization and those, most importantly, that I have learned
here. 

In my new capacity as representative of the DG I will advise on WHOs policy and
strategy to increase access to essential health technology (initially with an
emphasis on drugs and vaccines), implement the action items related to
pharmaceuticals as laid out in the Director Generals address to the Executive
Board in January 2000 and initiate, prepare and lead dealings with health
industry on related matters ( as a short excerpt of my terms of reference that I
will refine with the relevant clusters)

But most important: I very much enjoyed being part of the change process of WHO
and working with you. But after having brought in my general management skills I
can serve the organization better in focussing on technical matters for which
the DG recruited me in the first place. My choice.

I am very much looking forward to this new challenge and count on your support
for the incoming Executive Director, Dr Hiro Suzuki.

And don't forget, you have a friend in the DGO.

Michael    

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