The termination of a senior doctor at the World Health Organization has been announced following allegations of sexual misconduct made by a British medic. Temo Waqanivalu, who led a unit on non-communicable diseases at the organization’s Geneva headquarters, was dismissed after accusations from Rosie James, 26, who claimed he sexually assaulted her at a conference event in Berlin.
The organization stated that Waqanivalu was fired due to allegations of sexual misconduct against him, and this decision came after at least three reported accusations against him in the past five years.
The incident was publicly reported by Dr. James, who mentioned being sexually assaulted by a WHO staff member at the World Health Summit without naming Waqanivalu. The organization’s chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, responded to her tweet, expressing his horror at the accusations and affirming the agency’s zero-tolerance policy for sexual assault.
In an interview, Dr. James detailed the alleged incident and how she felt intimidated and uncomfortable by Waqanivalu’s actions. She also mentioned that the WHO officials did not provide her with the final investigation report, and there was little direct follow-up from Tedros despite communication through the agency’s communications director.
Furthermore, it was revealed that Waqanivalu had faced similar allegations in 2018, with little impact on his career. The organization had been criticized for its handling of the previous accusation against him, and a third accusation involving a junior employee in her mid-twenties was also reported.
Waqanivalu denied the accusations, describing them as false and potentially damaging to his career and reputation. However, WHO spokesperson Marcia Poole confirmed his dismissal and reiterated the organization’s stance against sexual misconduct, emphasizing their ongoing efforts to prevent and address such incidents.
In conclusion, the article highlighted the dismissal of the WHO doctor amidst allegations of sexual misconduct, shedding light on the organization’s actions and the impact of the accusations.
