Henk Bekedam

Dr. Henk Bekedam is a medical doctor, public health specialist and an employee at the World Health Organization (WHO). Since 27 November 2015, he works as the WHO Representative to India. In 2020, he provided expert opinion on COVID-19 prevention and control in India.

Career Dr. Henk Bekedam is a Dutch national. Bekedam, who did his M.Sc. in economics from London School of Economics in 1996. He was then appointed as the WHO Representative to China from 2002 to 2007 and supported China successfully to contain the SARS outbreak in 2003. He also worked for six years as the Director of Health Sector Development in the WHO Western Pacific Region. There, he led a team that provided policy support to 37 countries. In 2013, he started serving as the WHO Representative to Egypt, where he focused on prevention of Hepatitis C, response to avian flu and maintaining polio free status. Starting November 2015, he works as the WHO Representative to India. He has expertise in strong expertise in health system strengthening, Universal Health Coverage health sector reforms, food safety, AIDS, tuberculosis, tobacco control and chronic diseases.