Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala Becomes First Pacific Islander to Lead WHO Western Pacific Region
On January 23, 2024, Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala was appointed as the) World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Regional Director for the Western Pacific by the WHO Executive Board. Dr. Piukala, has outlined a comprehensive strategy for his initial 100 days in office, which includes visiting numerous countries within the region, engaging with governments and key stakeholders, discussing pivotal health issues, and seeking collaborative opportunities.
Dr. Piukala aims to bolster health care across the Western Pacific by focusing on primary health care transformation and universal health coverage. This approach will target predominant diseases and mortality causes in the region, notably noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and chronic respiratory illnesses, which are responsible for nearly 90% of deaths there.
His agenda also prioritizes areas like healthy ageing, mental and oral health, maternal and child health, immunization, communicable disease prevention, and leveraging health technology to reduce inequities. This includes potential partnerships with the private sector.
A significant aspect of his directorship will be addressing climate change, environmental health, and pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. Dr. Piukala will engage in global initiatives, including the development of a new “Pandemic Accord” and revisions to the International Health Regulations, while also aligning WHO’s regional activities with its global operations, enhancing workplace culture, and improving operational efficiency.
Dr. Piukala’s election as Regional Director is a milestone, marking him as the first Pacific Islander in this role. With nearly 30 years of experience in public health and surgery, his career spans various significant roles in Tonga and the Pacific. He has been a vocal advocate for tackling NCDs, climate change health impacts, universal health coverage, infectious disease management, youth health, tobacco control, safe surgery, and disaster response.
Before becoming Regional Director, Dr. Piukala served as a Member of Parliament and the Minister of Health of Tonga. He has been instrumental in leading the country’s responses to various health crises, including the undersea volcanic eruption and tsunami in 2022 and COVID-19, achieving one of the world’s lowest case fatality rates. His past roles include Vice-Chair of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, Chair of the Pacific Health Ministers Meeting, and Commissioner for WHO’s Independent High-Level Commission on NCDs.
Dr. Piukala’s academic credentials include degrees from the Fiji School of Medicine/University of the South Pacific, encompassing a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, a Postgraduate Diploma in Surgery, and a Master of Medicine in Surgery.
