The current Minister of Health of the russian Federation, Mikhail Murashko, holds a senior position in the executive bodies of the World Health Organization (WHO) and has the right to influence the organization's policies.
This was reported by analysts of the Ukrainian Center for Health (UNS).
Yes, Murashko is a member of the WHO Executive Committee.
The WHO Executive Committee consists of 34 members elected for three years. The current committee works from 2020 to 2023. The responsibilities of the Executive Committee include agreeing on the agenda of the WHO General Assembly and the resolutions to be considered. At the same time, the committee works after the General Assembly to promote the implementation of approved decisions and policies. In fact, the current Minister of Health of russia has a direct influence on the agenda and work of the WHO.
In addition, the Executive Committee includes the Minister of Health of Belarus Dmitry Pinevich.
It should be noted that the WHO has long avoided public recognition of the fact of full-scale invasion and active hostilities of russia in Ukraine, taking a restrained diplomatic position. Now the organization is recording the fact of the existence of war on the territory of Ukraine and large-scale destruction of medical infrastructure.
In addition, WHO President Tedros Adan Gebreesus criticized the war in Ukraine, saying that “the situation in Ukraine is globally significant, but other “crises” have not received enough attention”, said theguardian.com.
Russia remains a full member of the WHO and has not been sanctioned.
In turn, according to Reuters, the diplomatic mission of Ukraine calls on the WHO European Office to hold an urgent meeting on the impact of the russian invasion on health. The letter of appeal was signed by 38 WHO member states.