Background on Hugo López-Gatell
Hugo López-Gatell Ramírez is a Mexican epidemiologist who served as the Undersecretary of Prevention and Health Promotion under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration. He was a central figure in Mexico’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, often appearing at press conferences and advocating for herd immunity as a strategy. His approach to the pandemic was controversial, with critics arguing that his policies contributed to Mexico’s high death toll.
The Rumor and Its Origins
A rumor circulated that López-Gatell might be appointed as Mexico’s representative to the World Health Organization (WHO). The rumor was sparked by a post from María Elena Álvarez-Buylla, former director of Mexico’s National Council of Science and Technology (Conacyt) and currently a professor at the Institute of Ecology at UNAM, congratulating López-Gatell on his supposed appointment. However, neither Álvarez-Buylla nor López-Gatell holds positions in the current administration of Claudia Sheinbaum, adding uncertainty to the rumor.
Debunking the Rumor
Senator Gerardo Fernández Noroña, president of the Senate’s Directorate Board, denied any official proposal had been sent to the Senate for approval, which is necessary for diplomatic appointments. As of now, neither the Mexican government nor WHO/OPS has officially confirmed López-Gatell’s appointment, leaving the matter in the realm of speculation.
Contextualizing López-Gatell’s Potential Appointment
This rumor comes amid another controversial appointment: Juan Ferrer, former director of the failed Insabi program, being named Mexico’s ambassador to UNESCO in Paris. Ferrer played a significant role in dismantling the Seguro Popular and creating Insabi, which left Mexico’s healthcare system in disarray. His tenure was marked by depleting funds for high-cost treatments for non-insured individuals and accumulating substantial debt with medical suppliers, contributing to ongoing medication shortages.
Speculations and Interpretations
Some observers believe that the rumored appointment of López-Gatell could be an attempt by a hardline faction within Morena, supportive of former President López Obrador, to position controversial figures. Neither López-Gatell, Ferrer, nor Álvarez-Buylla are part of Sheinbaum’s team, which tends to favor technical profiles over ideological ones.
WHO Representation and Appointment Processes
It’s essential to understand that Mexico’s representation at the WHO primarily falls under the Secretary of Health, currently David Kershenobich. The Mexican representative attends the World Health Assembly (WHA) or delegates responsibilities to someone else. WHO consultative committees are not assigned by countries but through direct invitations or open calls, as seen with Dr. Julio Frenk’s appointment in 1998, who was personally invited by then-WHO Director-General Gro Harlem Brundtland without government intervention.
Mexico’s Involvement in WHO
As an active member, Mexico participates in WHO through delegations at the WHA, the Executive Board, and regional committees of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). High-ranking officials from the Secretariat of Health and Mexico’s permanent mission in Geneva lead these delegations. In the 77th WHA of 2024, Mexico was represented by the director of the National Center for Health Surveillance (Cenaprece) and the ambassador in Geneva, advocating for initiatives like a Public Policy Network for Food Systems.
Professional Merit and WHO Appointments
WHO positions, when available, are filled based on professional merit rather than governmental appointments. For instance, Dr. Julio Frenk was a candidate for the WHO Director-General position in 2003, competing based on his own merits rather than as Mexico’s official representative.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the rumor about? The rumor suggests that Hugo López-Gatell might be appointed as Mexico’s representative to the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Who started the rumor? The rumor was sparked by a congratulatory post from María Elena Álvarez-Buylla, former Conacyt director, on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
- Has the rumor been confirmed? No, neither the Mexican government nor WHO/OPS has officially confirmed López-Gatell’s appointment.
- What are the implications of such an appointment? Critics argue that López-Gatell’s controversial approach to the COVID-19 pandemic and his lack of current involvement in Sheinbaum’s administration raise questions about the rationale behind such an appointment.
- How are WHO representatives chosen? WHO representatives are typically selected based on professional merit, not governmental appointments. Countries do not assign representatives to WHO committees; instead, invitations or open calls are extended directly by the organization.
