Indian nominated as WHO South-East Asia regional director after 44 years

India on Thursday regained the position of regional director of World Health Organization's South-East Asia Region (SEAR) after a gap of 44 years with its nominee Poonam Khetarpal Singh, a former IAS officer, being elected on Thursday by member countries.

India had last occupied the post from 1948 to 1968 but has not held it since then. 

64-year-old Singh takes over from Samlee Plianbangchang of Thailand, who has served as regional director for 10 years now (two consecutive terms since 2004). She will hold the post for five years.