Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is Ethiopian biologist, health researcher, public health official, and politician. Tedros Adhanom is the first African and non-physician to serve as Director-General of the World Health Organization in the organization’s 72-year history.
After inheriting this big position, Tedros Adhanom becomes a celebrity in the global health and diplomacy worlds. He is well known for his emergency responses and efforts to control the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people remember him performing “The Safe Hands Challenge” following the corona outbreak.
CHILDHOOD AND FAMILY
Dr. Tedros was born in 3 March 1965 in Asmara, Eritrea (before its secession from Ethiopia in the 1990s), to Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Melashu Weldegabir. His family originated from the Enderta awrajja of the province of Tigray. Tedros was raised in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, where conflict and civil war were prevalent. At his youth, Tedros had also seen many local peoples dying from diseases malaria and measles. Even worse, when Tedros was just a child, his younger brother died at the age of 3 or 4 years, of a preventable disease, what he now suspects was measles. This was the main event that intensified and triggered his ambition of working on global healthcare.
Little known about his family; Tedros is married and has five children.
ACADEMICAL ACHIEVEMENT
In 1986, Dr Tedros graduated from the University of Asmara with a Bachelor of science degree in Biology. He then received his Master of Science (MSc) in Immunology of Infectious Diseases from the University of London in 1992. Later on, in 2000, he finished his studies with a Ph.D. in community health from the University of Nottingham for his thesis research investigating the effects of dams on the transmission of malaria in the Tigray region of Ethiopia.
Moreover, Dr Tedros has published many articles in notable scientific journals, and received awards and recognition from across the world. In 2016, he received the Decoration of the Order of Serbian Flag. Besides, he was also awarded the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award for his contributions to the field of public health in 2011.
CAREER HISTORY
Dr. Tedros, after earning his first degree, joined the Ministry of Health of the Derg as a junior public health expert. In this position, he was working as field-level malariologist. In 2001, Tedros was appointed head of the Tigray Regional Health Bureau.
Later on, Tedros was appointed as the head of the Tigray Regional Health Bureau in 2001 and served for just over a year.
After heading a regional health service, Tedros was appointed Minister of Health of Ethiopia by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi in October 2005. As Minister of Health from 2005 to 2012, he led a profound reform of the country’s health system, built on the foundation of universal health coverage and provision of services to all people, even in the most remote areas. He had also worked to expand access to health care with the limited resources of the country.
In November 2012, Tedros became Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. In this big position, he has served his country for four consecutive years. Many gives him credit with saving the conference from collapse by drawing 193 countries to the table to work together to finance the initiative for the Sustainable Development Goals program.
Dr. Tedros, being only African Candidate, competed for the role of Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). On May 23, 2017, Tedros became the first African to be elected as the Director-General of the World Health Organization. On May 23, 2017, Dr Tedros was elected as the first African Director-General of WHO by getting 133 out of the 185 votes.
Besides his enrollment in the health world, Dr. Tedros has also engaged in Ethiopian politics. Tedros was one of the members of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, the leading group in a coalition of movements known as the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front in a successful bid to overthrow Mengistu Haile Mariam.
Additional Career Positions:
- Chair, Executive Council of Foreign Ministers of the AU (2013)
- Chair, AIDS Watch Africa (2013)
- Member, High-Level Task Force for the International Conference on Population and Development, (2012 – Present)
- Chair, Executive Council of Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) (2012 –Present)
- Member, High-Level Task Force for Innovative Financing for Health Systems (2008-2009)
- Board Member, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (2008 –2009)
- Vice President, 60th World Health Assembly and Chairman of the 56th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa (2007)
- Coordinating Board Member, Stop TB Partnership (2005 – 2006)
- Member, Global Leaders Council for Reproductive Health, The Aspen Institute (2011 – Present)
- Advisory Board, Ministerial Leadership in Health Program at Harvard University (2012 – 2014)
- Board Member, Tana High Level Forum on Security in Africa (2015-Present)
QUICK FACTS ABOUT TEDROS ADHANOM
- Name: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
- Name in native language: ቴዎድሮስ አድሓኖም ገብረኢየሱስ (Amharic)
- Gender: Male
- Date of Birth: March 3, 1965
- Place of Birth: Asmara, Eritrea(formerly Ethiopia)
- Nationality: Ethiopian
- Zodiac Sign: Pisces
- Age: 56 years
- Father’s Name: Adhanom Ghebreyesus
- Mother’s Name: Melashu Weldegabir
- Marital Status: Married
- Spouse: Kidist Birhane
- Children: 5
- Profession: Biologist and public health official
- Current position: Director-General in WHO (World Health Organization)
- Sexuality: Straight
- Salary: US$239 755 gross per annum
- Net worth: $1 millon to $5million
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT Dr. TEDROS ADHANOM
Is Dr Tedros Adhenom a medical doctor?
No he is not a medical doctor. Infact he is the first director-general in the WHO’s 72-year history not to be a medical doctor.
When is the birthday of Tedros Adhanom?
Ans: Tedros celebrates his birthday on March 3 every year.
Is Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus married?
Ans: Tedros is married and has five children.
What nationality is Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus?
Ans: Tedros Adhanom is an Ethiopian.
Can Tedros Adhanom speak Tigrigna?
Ans: Yes, Tedros Adhanom can speak Tigrigna fluently.
How many languages can Tedros Adhanom speak?
Ans: Three, Tedros Adhanom can speak Amharic, Tigrigna, and English.
How much is the salary of Dr, Tedros Adhanom?
Ans: Tedros Adhanom earns US$239 755 gross per annum
Where does Dr. Tedros Adhanom live?
Ans: Dr. Tedros lives in New York City and Geneva, Switzerland.
Is Dr. Tedros Adhanom controversial?
Ans: Some controversies are raised regarding him. He was criticized for his support of disease control measures implemented by the Chinese government during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even Donald Trump has been questioning WHO chief Tedros’ credentials to handle the coronavirus pandemic. Moreover, the current Ethiopian Government accuses him for backing of TPLF leaders.
SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS OF TEDROS ADHANOM
- FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/DrTedros.Official
- INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/drtedros
- TWITTER: https://twitter.com/DrTedros
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