Netherlands joins WHO executive board

The Netherlands was named a member of the World Health Organization's executive board at the UN organizations annual meeting, currently taking place in Geneva. According to Health Minister Edith Schippers, this means the Netherlands will have more influence on the organization's policy, ANP reports.

At the outbreak of the Ebola crisis in West Africa two years ago, the Dutch government and parliament criticized the WHO for not reacting quickly enough. According to Schippers, the Netherlands can now help prevent this from happening again.

Schippers believes the WHO can be more innovative and act more with results in mind. She also thinks the organization should develop cooperation with partners outside the health sector.