Examination of Witnesses (Questions 420
- 422)
WEDNESDAY 26 MARCH 2008
Dr Scott Dowell
Q420 Chairman:
Thank you very much for that. Finally, can I ask you one last
question, which is this. If you stand back from all of this and
look at it with your considerable experience, what changes would
you most like to make within the intergovernmental organisations
dealing with communicable diseases? If you could change something,
what stands out in your mind as to what it would be?
Dr Dowell: Interesting! Again, I am focusing
not on all of the intergovernmental organisations but I am focusing
my thinking on WHO in particular, which is the one with which
I am most familiar. I am reflecting on the fact that, as I said,
I have seen a lot of progress in what WHO has been able to do
over the last 10-15 years or so. I also said I do not think they
are all the way there and more could be done. What more could
be done? WHO in the last one or two years has been going through
a reorganisation, which is not yet complete. We are very sympathetic
to that because we went through a reorganisation a couple of years
ago and ours is finally becoming complete. But it is a disruptive
process and has an impact on the ability of the organisation to
do what it should be focusing on doing. In particular, I am thinking
about the WHO leadership of GOARN and the need for them to continue
to play a strong role in leading GOARN. I would predict that,
as they emerge from their reorganisation, they will take a firmer
hand on guiding the GOARN process and leading that process for
the future.
Q421 Chairman:
The leadership role is essential to that and that is what you
would focus on?
Dr Dowell: WHO's leadership role for GOARN is
absolutely essential, especially if there is a big outbreak threat.
It has been disrupted somewhat by the reorganisation and lack
of clarity about who is in charge of what at WHO during the last
18 months or so. As I said, I see them emerging from that and
that problem solving itself, and we are looking forward to that
when it happens.
Q422 Chairman:
Dr Dowell, thank you very much indeed, you have been very helpful.
We are very grateful for your time. If you do have any more thoughts
that you want to add after you have finished this session, then
please send them through to us; we will be glad to receive them.
You will get a transcript of this sent to you in due course. Thank
you very much for your time and your effort.
Dr Dowell: Thank you.
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