Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
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ቴዎድሮስ አድሓኖም ገብረኢየሱስ
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Tedros in 2024
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| 8th Director-General of the World Health Organization | |
| Assumed office 1 July 2017 |
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| Deputy | Zsuzsanna Jakab Michael Ryan |
| Preceded by | Margaret Chan |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 29 November 2012 – 1 November 2016 |
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| Prime Minister | Hailemariam Desalegn |
| Preceded by | Berhane Gebre-Christos (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Workneh Gebeyehu |
| Minister of Health | |
| In office 12 October 2005 – 29 November 2012 |
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| Prime Minister | Meles Zenawi Hailemariam Desalegn |
| Preceded by | Kebede Tadesse |
| Succeeded by | Kesetebirhan Admasu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 March 1965 Asmara, Ethiopia (present-day Eritrea) |
| Political party | Tigray People's Liberation Front |
| Children | 5 |
| Education |
University of Asmara (BS)
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (MS) University of Nottingham (PhD) |
| Signature |  |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Community health |
| Thesis | The effects of dams on malaria transmission in Tigray Region, northern Ethiopia, and appropriate control measures (2000) |
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (born 3 March 1965) is an important public health official and researcher from Ethiopia. Since 2017, he has been the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). He is the first person from Africa to lead the WHO.
Before joining the WHO, Tedros held two major roles in the government of Ethiopia. He was the Minister of Health from 2005 to 2012. Then, he served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2012 to 2016. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in 2020.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Tedros was born in Asmara, which was then part of the Ethiopian Empire. Today, Asmara is in Eritrea. His parents were Adhanom Gebreyesus and Melashu Weldegabir. His family came from the Tigray region.
Tedros remembers how much suffering and death malaria caused when he was a child. His younger brother died very young, possibly from a disease like measles. This experience made him passionate about global healthcare.
In 1986, Tedros earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Asmara. He then studied at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. In 1992, he received a Master of Science degree in the study of infectious diseases. In 2000, he earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the University of Nottingham. His research focused on how dams affect malaria in the Tigray region.
Early Career in Health
After finishing his first degree in 1986, Tedros started working for the Ethiopian Ministry of Health. He began as a junior public health expert.
In 2001, Tedros became the head of the Tigray Regional Health Bureau. This role put him in charge of health services for a large area. In 2003, he was promoted to State Minister for Health.
Working for Ethiopia
Minister of Health (2005–2012)
In October 2005, Tedros was appointed Ethiopia's Minister of Health. At that time, Ethiopia faced many health challenges. These included poverty, poor health facilities, and a difficult global economy.
During his time as Minister, Ethiopia made big improvements in health. The country received a lot of help, including US$1.9 billion in aid. Tedros created a plan to train and send out thousands of doctors, nurses, and other health workers. This plan also built 4,000 new health centers.
These efforts helped reduce infant mortality (baby deaths) in Ethiopia. The number of deaths fell from 123 per 1,000 births in 2006 to 88 in 2011.
Global Health Efforts
As Minister of Health, Tedros was very active in global health. He worked with important groups like the Clinton Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Ethiopia became a key country for the US Global Health Initiative.
He led the Roll Back Malaria Partnership from 2007 to 2009. He was also a member of the board for UNAIDS and the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. He helped lead the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health.
Fighting Diseases
Tedros oversaw programs that helped reduce deaths from malaria. Between 2005 and 2007, malaria deaths dropped by more than 50%. The Ministry of Health also gave out millions of insecticide-treated bed nets to protect families from mosquitoes.
Under Tedros, Ethiopia also made great progress against AIDS. The rate of new HIV infections dropped by 90% between 2002 and 2012. Deaths related to AIDS also fell by 53%. More people received HIV treatment.
Minister of Foreign Affairs (2012–2016)
In November 2012, Tedros became Ethiopia's Minister of Foreign Affairs. He held this position until 2016.
Helping Africa's Future
As the head of the African Union's Executive Council in 2014, Tedros pushed for big changes in Africa. He wanted the continent to focus on economic growth, peace, and democracy. During his time, the African Union created a plan called Agenda 2063. This plan aims for a successful Africa with growth for everyone, and health is a key part of it.
Responding to Ebola
As Foreign Minister, Tedros played a vital role in Africa's response to the 2013–2016 Ebola outbreak. He helped countries follow WHO guidelines. He also sent 200 Ethiopian health workers to help the African Union's response team.
Director-General of the World Health Organization (2017–Present)
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First Term (2017–2022)
Becoming Director-General
On 24 May 2016, Tedros announced he wanted to become the Director-General of the World Health Organization. He was the only candidate from Africa and had support from the African Union. His campaign slogan was "Together for a Healthier World."
In January 2017, the WHO's executive board chose Tedros as a top candidate. He received the most votes. On 23 May 2017, the World Health Assembly elected him as Director-General. He received 133 out of 185 votes. He became the first African to lead the WHO. He also became the first Director-General who is not a medical doctor. He started his five-year term on 1 July 2017.
Before the election, some stories came out about possible cholera outbreaks in Ethiopia when Tedros was Health Minister. It was claimed that these outbreaks were called "acute watery diarrhea" instead of cholera. Tedros denied these claims, calling them a "last-minute smear campaign."
Leading the WHO
Tedros has led the WHO's response to several major health crises. This includes the Kivu Ebola epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic. He quickly traveled to affected areas like the Democratic Republic of Congo and China.
His main goal at the WHO is universal health coverage. This means making sure everyone can get the health care they need. He also made sure that women held 60% of the top leadership roles in his team.
In October 2017, Tedros chose President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe to be a WHO Goodwill Ambassador. This decision was criticized by many because of concerns about Zimbabwe's healthcare system and human rights.
Second Term (2022–Present)
Re-election
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Tedros planned to seek re-election in May 2021. In September 2021, Germany suggested him for another term, and no one opposed this. By October, 28 countries had nominated him. He was re-appointed on 24 May 2022, without opposition. His second term began on 16 August 2022.
Current Work
In February 2023, after the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes, Tedros visited Antakya, Turkey, and Aleppo, Syria. He went to make sure more help reached the affected areas.
In 2023, he spoke about the serious humanitarian impact of the war in Sudan. He said that 40% of the people in Sudan were suffering from hunger.
In December 2023, Tedros also talked about the situation in Afghanistan. He noted that 30% of Afghans faced severe food shortages. He said that nearly 1 million children were severely malnourished. The WHO needed $185 million to help prevent more deaths from malnutrition.
Israel–Hamas War
Tedros spoke out against the attack by Hamas on Israel in October 2023. He called for the release of all hostages.
He also expressed deep concern about reports of hospitals in Gaza receiving evacuation warnings. He stated that it is "impossible to evacuate hospitals full of patients without endangering their lives." He stressed that patients, health workers, and medical facilities must always be protected.
In December 2023, he criticized Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip. He said that getting supplies to health facilities had become very difficult. In January 2024, Tedros described conditions in Gaza as "hellish." He called for a ceasefire and a lasting solution to the conflict.
Personal Life
Tedros is married and has five children. He is an Orthodox Christian.
Awards
- 1999: American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Young Investigator of the Year
- 2003: Ethiopian Public Health Association, Young Public Health Researcher Award
- 2011: National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award
- 2012: London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Honorary Fellow
- 2012: Wired magazine, One of 50 people who will change the world in 2012
- 2012: Yale University, Stanley T. Woodward Lectureship
- 2015: New African magazine, One of the 100 most influential Africans for 2015
- 2016: Women Deliver Conference, Women Deliver Award for Perseverance
- 2018: Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Honorary Doctorate
- 2019: Newcastle University, honorary degree
- 2020: African leadership magazine, African of the Year 2020 Award.
- 2021: University of Nottingham, honorary professorship
- 2021: Nizami Ganjavi International Medal
- 2022: Ubuntu Humanitarian Award, 6th Ubuntu Awards, Special Ubuntu Humanitarian Award
- 2023: University of Michigan, Thomas Francis Jr. Medal in Global Public Health
- 2024: The University of Glasgow, honorary degree.
- 2024: University of Groningen, Honorary doctorate degree
- 2024: University of Nicosia, Honorary Doctoral Degree [1]
Images for kids
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Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus's signature
See also
In Spanish: Tedros Adhanom para niños
