Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, an Ethiopian biologist and public health researcher was the first African to be chosen as the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) for a five-year term, in May 2017. He took over the responsibilities from July 1, 2017 and outlined the 5 key priorities on the very first day – Health emergencies, health impacts of climate and environmental change, universal health coverage, women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health and a transformed WHO. Born in Asmara, the then part of the Ethiopian Empire, Dr. Tesros is globally recognized for his first-hand experience in research, operations and leadership in emergency responses.
Personal Details
| Name | Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus |
| Age | 56 years |
| Date of Birth | March 3, 1965 |
| Place of Birth | Asmara, Ethiopia (current capital of Eritrea) |
| Occupation | Biologist and public health official |
| Designation | Director-General in WHO (World Health Organization) |
| Father’s Name | Adhanom Ghebreyesus |
| Mother’s Name | Melashu Weldegabir |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Kidist Birhane |
| Children | 5 (Names not mentioned) |
Tedros Adhanom Early Life
- Tedros was born in Asmara, Ethiopia to Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Melashu Weldegabir on March 3, 1956.
- His family belonged to the Enderta awrajja of Tigray Province, Ethiopian empire.
- His younger brother’s death at the age of 3 or 4 years due to measles, became Tedros’s cause of awareness for a global healthcare for diseases like, HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria.
Tedros Adhanom Educational Qualifications
- Tedros received the Bachelor of Science degree in biology in 1986 from University of Asmara.
- Then he served as a junior public health expert for Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health.
- In 1992, Tedros completed his master’s degree in immunology of infectious diseases from University of London.
- In 2002, he finished his studies with a Ph.D. in community health from the University of Nottingham.
Tedros Adhanom Career
- Tedros was appointed as the head of the Tigray Regional Health Bureau in 2001.
- In 2003, he became the state deputy minister for health and served for 1 year.
- In October 2005, Ethiopian prime minister, Meles Zenawi, appointed Tedros as the Minister of Health of Ethiopia.
- He became the vice president of the 60th World Health Assembly, held from 14-23 May, 2007.
- Tedros was also a member of the High-Level Taskforce on Innovative International Financing for Health Systems, co-chaired by Gordon Brown and Robert Zoellick, from 2008 to 2009.
- He was a member of the Programme Coordinating Board of UNAIDS from 2009 to 2010.
- He was also a part of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria from 2009-2011.
- In 2012, Tedros became the foreign affairs minister of Ethiopia and played a major role in drafting the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA) and responding to the 2013-16 Ebola outbreak in Western Africa.
- On May 23, 2017, Tedros became the first African to be elected as the Director-General of the World Health Organization.
Tedros Adhanom Awards
- Young investor of the year from American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in 1999.
- Young public health researcher award from Ethiopian Public Health Association in 2003.
- Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian award from National Foundation for Infectious Diseases in 2011.
- Honorary Fellow from London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in 2012.
- One of the 100 most influential Africans of 2015 in New African magazine.
- Honorary degree from Newcastle University in 2019.
- African of the Year 2020 award from African leadership magazine.
- Honorary professorship from University of Nottingham in 2021.
- Nizami Ganjavi International medal in 2021.