WHO probing allegations towards official who ‘abused employees, leaked vaccine knowledge to Japan’

The World Health Organisation (WHO) stated it’s trying into allegations {that a} regional director in Asia bullied employees, used racist language and leaked delicate vaccine knowledge to Japan, accusations the official denies.

WHO stated in an announcement to Reuters on Thursday it “is aware of the allegations and is taking all appropriate steps to follow up on the matter,” following a report on the complaints by the Associated Press.OFFICIAL DENIES ALLEGATIONS OF RACISMIn an announcement offered by the WHO, Takeshi Kasai, the Manila-based director of the Western Pacific area, acknowledged being “hard on staff” however rejected expenses of racism or that he shared confidential data with Japan. He wrote that he was contemplating the best way to enhance his administration model and the work atmosphere.Kasai didn’t reply to an e-mailed request for remark by Reuters.Japan’s well being and international ministries didn’t instantly reply to requests for touch upon the alleged leaks of vaccine knowledge.The AP reported on Thursday the abuse expenses have been outlined in an inside criticism filed in October and in an e-mail final week, despatched by “concerned WHO staff” to its senior management.Kasai’s authoritarian model has led to the departure of greater than 55 key employees prior to now yr and a half, and most of them haven’t been changed, the report quoted unidentified WHO employees as saying within the e-mail.Kasai, a doctor from Japan who has labored for greater than 15 years on the WHO, was additionally accused of sharing confidential knowledge to the Japanese authorities to assist it achieve diplomatic favour from Covid-19 vaccine donations to neighbours.ALLEGATIONS OF RACIST REMARKSThe AP stated the criticism and e-mail accused Kasai of constructing “racist and derogatory remarks to staff of certain nationalities” and making a “toxic atmosphere” with “a culture of systemic bullying and public ridiculing.”The WHO assertion quoted Kasai as saying, “Regarding the accusation of racism towards particular cultures or countries: this I reject.”It is true that I’ve been arduous on employees, however I reject the suggestion that I’ve focused employees of any specific nationality. Racism goes towards the entire rules and values I maintain expensive as an individual and a world civil servant, and have all through my life and profession.”He also said he takes “the considerations raised about my administration model and dealing tradition in WHO’s Western Pacific Region very severely”.He said he was “dedicated to listening rigorously to employees about their considerations, reflecting on methods of working, and pondering rigorously about how I can enhance, in addition to enhance the working atmosphere for all our employees now and into the longer term.”