The position to lead the World Health Organization is up for grabs this year, with three people vying for the position, according to Science.
Here are five things to know:
1. The remaining contenders include:
• Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, an Ethiopian health minister and minister of foreign affairs
• Dr. David Nabarro, an United Nations official
• Dr. Sania Nishtar, former science minister and cardiologist from Pakistan
2. During a press conference in Geneva Switzerland, the candidates introduced themselves as interested parties on Jan. 27, 2017. Mr. Ghebreyesus, Dr. Nabarro and Dr. Nishtar will campaign until May 2017 to compete for the support of WHO's 194 member states.
3. Ilona Kickbusch, an independent global health consultant based in Brienz, Switzerland, told Science that Dr. Nishtar may not seem the likely choice for the position. However, many in the medical community are impressed with her professionalism and technical knowledge. Dr. Nishtar stepped down from her posts after she announced her candidacy. She told the press conference that "I had bilateral meetings with more than 185 member states and I will continue to make sure that I meet all of them now that I have been nominated."
4. Dr. Nabarro has worked in developing countries for nongovernmental organizations and joined WHO in 1999. He is the leading force behind WHO's response to the current cholera outbreak in Haiti. At the press conference, he said "I think to be director-general of WHO is a job I have been training for the whole of my life."
5. Equipped with the support of the African Union, Science says many industry leaders think Dr. Tedros would benefit the WHO as the first African leader if the organization nominated him. He has been serving the Ethiopia's prime minister for the past four years and served as health minister between 2005 and 2012.
Dr. Tedros said at the press conference, "I believe I am the best candidate because I have a mix of national and international experience. If I could get a chance to lead this organization, I can help countries to implement reform in a comprehensive way, because I have the hands-on experience."
