Poonam Khetrapal Singh took charge as Regional Director of SEARO

Poonam Khetrapal Singh took charge as the Regional Director of World Health Organisation (WHO) South-East Asia Region on 1 February 2014.

Poonam Khetrapal Singh succeeded Samlee Plianbangchang of Thailand who served for ten years consecutively. The Regional Director has a term of five years and can get a second term.

She is the first Indian in 44 years to hold the post of Regional Director, South East Asian Regional Organistion (SEARO). India had occupied the post from 1948-1968.

About Poonam Khetrapal Singh

Poonam retired as Advisor, International Health in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Poonam was Executive Director, Sustainable Development and Healthy Environments, WHO and Deputy Regional Director of WHO from 2000 to 2013.

About South East Asian Regional Organisational

SEARO is one of the six regions of World Health and its headquarters is in New Delhi.

SERO has 11 countries namely India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Timor Leste and DPR Korea.

SERO is headed by a Regional Director (RD) who is elected by the members of the SEARO countries.