Who will be the next leader of the beleaguered WHO?

The term of the World Health Organization’s current boss, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, is coming to an end after a nearly 10 year reign. Given constant political upheavals and unrelenting health crises, you would think no one would want the complex job of leading WHO when his tenure ends in August 2027. But the campaigning for its next director general has already begun, with several notable names, including doctors, rumoured to be in the mix (box 1).Box 1Potential candidates for the next WHO director generalAmong those reported to be considering candidacy are several WHO staff and regional directors and former government officials, among them doctors:Hanan Balkhy—physician and WHO regional director for the Eastern MediterraneanJarbas Barbosa—physician and director of the Pan American Health OrganizationHelge Braun—physician and former chief of staff of German chancellor Angela MerkelJeremy Farrar—physician and WHO assistant director general for health promotion, disease prevention, and careHans Kluge—physician and WHO regional…