Countries worldwide are experiencing disruptions in the functioning of health systems. While the Covid-19 virus does not discriminate, its impacts do – affecting those most fragile and vulnerable. Mass immunization campaigns are being cancelled - newborn babies are at risk. Human health and well-being is closely connected to the health of wildlife, domesticated animals, and our shared environment. The Covid-19 crisis has revealed the fragility of our health and food systems like no other crisis has done in living memory. It is time to reconsider what is most important in our societies, and the relationship between humans, animals and the planet. Learn what we need to change and about returns of long -term investments in health. Hear why we need to fully incorporate the voices, experiences, and leadership of women and of young people for an inclusive and sustainable approach to “Recover Better.” Dr Nata Menabde is Executive Director of WHO Office at the United Nations, New York since May 2015, where she promotes WHO’s engagement with the United Nations system and a broad range of stakeholders to anchor health in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development agenda.

Prior to her current role, Dr Menabde was Head of Mission and WHO Representative to India, leading a large team with thousands of dedicated professionals in over 250 offices across the country. Most notably, her tenure saw one of the biggest achievements in public health: a polio-free India.

As Deputy Regional Director at the WHO Regional Office for Europe (2006-2010) she successfully led the Region’s work on strengthening health systems, which culminated in the development and adoption of the European Tallinn Charter: Health Systems for Health and Wealth, a decade ago. During this period she was also in charge of WHO’s extensive operations in 35 European countries, including emergency response and post-conflict recovery and rehabilitation.

With a solid academic background and an exemplary track record of over 30 years of experience in regional and global health, health diplomacy and health systems, Dr Nata Menabde has shown unwavering commitment to the goal of Health for All. Her current interests are linked to universal health coverage and sustainable development, health and foreign policies, global health governance, emergency preparedness and crises response, health systems performance, as well as addressing public health in other sector policies. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx