Georgetown, 20 January 2025 (PAHO/WHO) - The PAHO/WHO Guyana country office team welcomes Dr. Kim Eva Dickson, incoming Representative. A national of Ghana and the UK, Dr. Dickson is a Public Health Physician with over 25 years of international experience. Her appointment was effective 12 January 2025. Dr. Dickson has worked in several countries in Africa, Asia, America, Europe and the Pacific and has a wealth of knowledge in Health and International Development; having worked in three UN Agencies: -UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO.
Dr Kim Eva Dickson holds a BSc and a MB CHB from the School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana; a MSc in Maternal and Child Health from the Institute of Child Health, University of London, United Kingdom; and a Diploma in Family Planning with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, UK; and several management and leadership certificates.
Dr Kim Eva Dickson was the Head of WHO Country Office and Representative to Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau where she has supported the governments of the five Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) with technical assistance for strengthening their preparedness for appropriate responses to climate emergencies, the prevention and management of noncommunicable diseases and acceleration of efforts towards the achievement of Universal Health Coverage.
Prior to her assignment to Samoa, Dr. Dickson was the UNFPA Country Representative to Sierra Leone (2016 — 2020) where she managed an office of over 50 staff and provided leadership in a complex and changing environment: the post Ebola emergency response, the landslide humanitarian crisis, the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. She also supported the building of a 70-bed hospital, several clinics and a COVID-19 treatment center, as well as the development of numerous national reproductive health policies, strategies and guidelines.
From 2012 until 2016 Dr. Dickson worked with UNICEF as Senior Advisor, Maternal and Newborn Health where she spearheaded the development of the first ever global newborn action plan through a global partnership with WHO and other organizations.
Dr Dickson worked with WHO from 2006-2012 and led efforts to develop HIV prevention options for women and to scale up male circumcision as a HIV prevention method. She was also responsible for developing the HIV Department's technical support strategy and provision of technical cooperation to countries.
She also worked as Senior HIV/AIDS Adviser in Nigeria with the UK Department for International Development (DFID). Dr. Dickson was instrumental in establishing the Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Research Unit in South Africa (then RHRU) as a WHO Collaborating Center and an African Center of Excellence in SRH and HIV research.
Dr. Dickson’s arrival indicates a new chapter for the PAHO/WHO Guyana office, with a promise of fresh, new and exciting opportunities for technical cooperation and growth. Her dedication and commitment to improving health and wellness makes her an asset to our team.
The PAHO/WHO Guyana country office looks forward to working with Dr. Dickson to address the country’s health priorities and build a healthier, more resilient future for all. Her leadership and expertise will certainly make a significant impact, driving positive change and improving health outcomes across Guyana.
