Former Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Susan Pineda-Mercado was appointed to the second highest position in the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific region as Director for Program Management (DPM).
Newly-appointed WHO Western Pacific regional director Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala made the announcement Thursday, Feb. 1. Pineda-Mercado is the wife of former Sen. Orlando Mercado. She is also the first Filipino appointed to that position.
Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa congratulated Pineda-Mercado on her latest achievement, calling it a victory for women as well since “women are disproportionately affected by health problems.”
Herbosa noted that Pineda-Mercado is an established public health professional, who is a great addition to the WHO because of her experience, ethics, and expertise. “More importantly, she has always—and will continue to—redress gender imbalance for health equity,” he said.
“Dr. Susan Mercado deserves the honor of this appointment. RD (Regional Director) Saia has chosen his deputy well [.] The Philippines and our fellow [m]ember [s]tates will find that she can be counted on to deliver for the health of all peoples of the Western Pacific,” Herbosa stated further.
Pineda-Mercado has extensive experience at international, national, and local levels. She led the response to non-communicable diseases in her 15 years with the WHO.
She also served in the humanitarian sector with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies as Strategic Adviser for COVID-19.
In 2018, the non-profit Filipina Women’s Network recognized Pineda-Mercado, who was then a special envoy of the President on Global Health Initiatives, as one of the recipients of the 100 Most Influential Filipino Women in the World.