Dr Rui Paulo de Jesus
The founding vision of WHO is a world in which all people attain the highest possible standard of health and well-being. The WHO mission is to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. WHO works with a commitment to human rights, universality
and equity, based on the principles espoused in the WHO Constitution.
Core functions of WHO include: providing leadership on matters crucial to health and engaging in partnerships where joint action is needed; shaping the research agenda
and stimulating the generation, translation and dissemination of valuable knowledge; setting norms and standards and promoting and monitoring their implementation; articulating ethical and evidence- based policy options; providing technical support
to catalyse changes; building sustainable institutional capacity; and monitoring the health situation and assessing health trends.
The mission of WHO in the Philippines is to support the Government to achieve universal health coverage with
all people having access to high-quality health services, within the context of the country’s needs and challenges in transitioning to middle-income status.
In order to provide effective support, the WHO country office leverages the
three levels of the Organization: to focus support where it can make a difference; to place the right people in the right places; to engage partners effectively; to enhance communications; and to improve operational intelligence.
Priorities of WHO
WHO’s general programme of work (GPW) sets medium-term priorities and strategies of the Organization. The World Health Assembly in May 2018 is expected to approve the 13th general programme of work, covering the period 2019–2023. It encompasses a set of three interconnected strategic priorities, strategic shifts and organizational shifts, as well as 10 outcomes to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The three strategic priorities are:- Universal health coverage: 1 billion more people benefitting from universal health coverage
- Health emergencies: 1 billion more people better protected from health emergencies
- Healthier populations: 1 billion more people enjoying better health and well-being
Priorities of WHO in the Philippines
The WHO Country Office works with the Philippines’ Department of Health in achieving good health for the citizenry and focus on 5 strategic priorities for WHO collaboration with the Philippines:
- Save lives
- Promote well-being
- Protect health
- Optimize the health system
- Use platforms for health
WHO Representative in the Philippines
Dr Rui Paulo de Jesus joined the WHO Country Office for the Philippines on 15 April 2023.
Prior to his appointment, he was the WHO Representative to Bhutan from 2017 to 2023. He also worked at the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) in New Delhi, India as the Coordinator for Country Support and Coordination from 2015 to 2017.
Dr Rui also held other senior positions at WHO SEARO, including serving as the Regional Advisor for Leprosy Elimination Programme (2012-2014), Regional Advisor for Communicable Diseases Control (2010-2012), Technical Officer for Country Cooperation Strategy and Governing Bodies (2009), and Technical Officer for Sustainable Health Policy (2006-2009).
Prior to joining WHO, Dr Rui worked at the World Bank Office in Timor-Leste as a Senior Health Specialist (2004-2005). He also held various senior positions in the government of Timor-Leste during the UN East Timor Transitional Administration.
