India's Soumya Swaminathan quits as WHO Chief Scientist

With two more years to retire, the 63-year-old has announced her exit on Twitter.

World Health Organisation's Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan (Photo | Twitter)

Soumya Swaminathan has quit as Chief Scientist at the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday.

With two more years to retire, the 63-year-old has announced her exit on Twitter Monday.

The seasons come and go - the statue of a man with river blindness & his son never fail to remind me why we are here @WHO. To find ways to make people healthier, and if necessary, to fight for their rights. I will miss the fantastic people who work here & whom I admire! @DrTedros pic.twitter.com/109Tcjaz30

— Soumya Swaminathan (@doctorsoumya) November 14, 2022

According to a report, other figures in WHO are also expected to quit shortly though the reasons are yet to be ascertained. This is the first of a series of high-profile departures expected at the global health body as it prepares for a post-pandemic future. Further, a larger shake-up is on the cards in the global health body.

Ahead of her retirement, Soumya Swaminathan was quoted by a report as saying that she has planned to return to India since she felt an urge to do "more hands-on practical work."