New WHO chief: Top goal is universal health care

The new head of the World Health Organization says his "central priority" will be working to achieve universal health coverage, while pledging to "provide value for money" and reform the U.N. agency.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of Ethiopia thanked WHO's Assembly after its 185 voting members elected him Tuesday over Britain's David Nabarro and Sania Nishtar of Pakistan.

Tedros, who goes by his first name, spoke out about diversity and the importance of listening. He vowed to focus on the most needy and noted the importance of effective partnerships with health care providers.

He said "all roads lead to universal health coverage. This will be my central priority." Only about half of the world's population has access to health care "without impoverishment."

While he acknowledged it was "challenging times for global health," Tedros pledged that "we will innovate and measure our progress by clearly-defined outcomes."

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