Hans Kluge

{{Short description|Belgian doctor (born 1968)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Hans Kluge

| office = Regional Director for Europe of the World Health Organization

| image = Hans Kluge in Copenhagen for RC74 - 2024 - P064633-113505 (cropped).jpg

| caption = Dr. Hans Kluge in 2024

| alma_mater = KU Leuven

| predecessor = Zsuzsanna Jakab

| termstart = 1 February 2020

}}

Hans Henri Marcel Paul Kluge (born 29 November 1968, in Roeselare) is a Belgian medical doctor and public health expert. {{As of|2020|02|01}}, he served as the World Health Organization Regional Director for Europe after being nominated in September 2019 by the WHO Regional Committee for Europe.{{Cite web|url=http://www.euro.who.int/en/about-us/executive-management/dr-hans-henri-p.-kluge|title=Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge|website=Euro.who.int|access-date=15 May 2020|archive-date=24 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424052201/http://www.euro.who.int/en/about-us/executive-management/dr-hans-henri-p.-kluge|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.efna.net/dr-hans-kluge-elected-as-who-regional-director-for-europe/|title=Dr Hans Kluge elected as WHO Regional Director for Europe|website=Efna.net|date=14 October 2019|access-date=8 August 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://healthmanagement.org/c/hospital/news/who-appoints-hans-kluge-as-regional-director-for-europe|title=Radiology Management, ICU Management, Healthcare IT, Cardiology Management, Executive Management|website=Healthmanagement.org|access-date=8 August 2020}}

In 2019, Belgium proposed Kluge as a candidate for the position of WHO Regional Director for Europe.{{Cite web|url=https://www.euro.who.int/en/media-centre/sections/press-releases/2019/dr-hans-kluge-is-the-nominee-for-who-regional-director-for-europe|title=Dr Hans Kluge is the nominee for WHO Regional Director for Europe|website=Euro.who.int|access-date=3 February 2022}}

He qualified in medicine, surgery and obstetrics at KU Leuven in 1994.{{cite web |title=Hans Henri P. Kluge |url=https://kuleuvencongres.be/er-wcpt2020/speakers/hans-henri-kluge |website=KU Leuven Congres |access-date=1 July 2022}}

As WHO Regional Director for Europe, Kluge introduced a new strategic vision for the WHO European Region, called "United action for better health".{{Cite web|url=https://www.euro.who.int/en/about-us/regional-director/vision-and-strategic-directions|title=Vision and strategic directions|website=Euro.who.int|access-date=3 February 2022}} When introducing the vision, Kluge said, "Together, we must build a pan-European culture of health, where health and well-being goals guide public and private decision-making, and everyone can make healthy choices". This vision was translated into the European Programme of Work 2020-2025 (EPW), which was formally adopted by the Region in September 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-policy/european-programme-of-work/european-programme-of-work-20202025-united-action-for-better-health-in-europe|title=European Programme of Work (2020–2025) – United Action for Better Health in Europe|website=Euro.who.int|access-date=3 February 2022}}

Kluge also initiated the Pan-European Commission on Health and Sustainable Development, an independent and interdisciplinary group of leaders convened to rethink policy priorities in the light of pandemics.{{Cite web|url=https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-policy/pages/news/news/2020/08/inaugural-meeting-of-pan-european-commission-on-health-and-sustainable-development-takes-place|title=Inaugural meeting of Pan-European Commission on Health and Sustainable Development takes place|website=Euro.who.int|access-date=3 February 2022}}

In December 2021 Kluge said: "We can see another storm coming".{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-12-22-21-intl/index.html|title=Dec 22, 2021 Omicron variant and coronavirus news|date=22 December 2021|website=Cnn.com|access-date=3 February 2022}} In February Kluge said "This period of higher protection should be seen as a 'ceasefire' that could bring us enduring peace."{{Cite news |date=2022-02-03 |title=Europe entering Covid pandemic 'ceasefire', says WHO |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60245273 |access-date=2022-02-03}}

In June 2022, during the 2022 monkeypox outbreak, Kluge called on governments and the public to increase efforts to prevent the disease from extending its geographical reach.{{cite web |title=No room for complacency over monkeypox, says WHO |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/01/no-room-for-complacency-over-monkeypox-says-who |website=The Guardian |access-date=1 July 2022}}