The World Health Organization has appointed Dr. Hanan Balky as the elected Regional Director for the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Office, following her receipt of the highest vote from member states during the 70th session of the organization's regional committee, held in Cairo from October 9 to 12. She competed for the position after being nominated by Saudi Arabia's Minister of Health, Fahd bin Abdulrahman Al-Jalajel. In a press statement, the Minister of Health remarked, "The election of Dr. Hanan Balky as Regional Director for the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Office highlights the excellence and leadership of Saudi women in various fields."
Dr. Balky is a Saudi scientist and international expert who has spent nearly 25 years in public health, child health, and infectious diseases, gaining extensive knowledge in managing emergency situations related to disease outbreaks. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery from King Abdulaziz University and a fellowship in pediatric infectious diseases from Case Western Reserve University. She is also a Professor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences.
Additionally, she has served as the Executive Director of the Infectious Diseases Control Department at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Head of the Infectious Diseases Section at King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, and Director of the WHO Collaborating Center for Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control.
