Indonesia nominates Uton for WHO top post

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has nominated Uton Muchtar Rafei as the next director general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Minister of Health Sujudi said yesterday.

Sujudi said President Soeharto had approved Uton's nomination and asked all related institutions to support it.

Uton is now the WHO regional director for Southeast Asia. The organization's top job will be up for grabs next January.

"The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are battling to win our campaign. Indonesian people have to pray for him," Sujudi was quoted by Antara as saying.

He said Uton fitted the requirements for the key position because of his experience in the international body.

Sujudi was speaking after accompanying 17 WHO officials and foreign health ministers at a meeting with Vice President Try Sutrisno at Merdeka Palace.

Bahraini Health Minister Al-Mousawi, Hungarian Health Minister Mihaly Kokeny and Madagascar Health Minister Rahantalalo were among the guests who paid a courtesy call on Try.

The WHO officials and foreign health ministers are here to attend the WHO conference on health impacts of modern living. The conference was opened by Soeharto Monday and is scheduled to wind up on Friday.

Around 400 participants from 70 developed and developing countries are taking part in the conference.

The conference aims to promote health in the face of growing challenges, including urbanization, aging, the widespread Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and smoking. (amd)