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| Mugabe named as goodwill ambassador by WHO | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The World Health Organization (WHO) has appointed President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe as a "goodwill ambassador" to help tackle non-communicable diseases. | The World Health Organization (WHO) has appointed President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe as a "goodwill ambassador" to help tackle non-communicable diseases. |
| New WHO head Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Zimbabwe for its commitment to public health. | New WHO head Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Zimbabwe for its commitment to public health. |
| But critics say that during Mr Mugabe's 37-year rule Zimbabwe's health services have deteriorated, with staff regularly unpaid and medicines in short supply. | But critics say that during Mr Mugabe's 37-year rule Zimbabwe's health services have deteriorated, with staff regularly unpaid and medicines in short supply. |
| Dr Tedros, who is Ethiopian, is the first African to lead the WHO. | Dr Tedros, who is Ethiopian, is the first African to lead the WHO. |
| He was elected with a mandate to tackle perceived politicisation in the organisation. | He was elected with a mandate to tackle perceived politicisation in the organisation. |
| Dr Tedros replaced Margaret Chan, who stepped down from her 10-year post in June. | Dr Tedros replaced Margaret Chan, who stepped down from her 10-year post in June. |
| Controversial decision | Controversial decision |
| Imogen Foulkes, BBC News, Geneva | Imogen Foulkes, BBC News, Geneva |
| The appointment of 93-year-old Robert Mugabe will cause astonishment among many WHO member states and donors. | The appointment of 93-year-old Robert Mugabe will cause astonishment among many WHO member states and donors. |
| A goodwill ambassador may be a largely symbolic role, but the symbolism of giving it to a man whose leadership of Zimbabwe has, critics say, coincided with a collapse of its health service, and major human rights abuses, will be very unpopular. | A goodwill ambassador may be a largely symbolic role, but the symbolism of giving it to a man whose leadership of Zimbabwe has, critics say, coincided with a collapse of its health service, and major human rights abuses, will be very unpopular. |