The World Health Organization (WHO) fired one of its top officials, Dr. Takeshi Kasai (57) after the AP reported last January that dozens of staffers accused him of being racist, abusive, and exhibiting unethical behaviors that may have been problematic operation of the U.N health agency’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Associated Press.

Dr. Takeshi’s termination has been issued on Wednesday through an email to its employees after an internal investigation found his “misconduct.” It is the first kind of decision that the WHO has made. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that “This has been an unprecedented and challenging journey for all of us,” and the incoming new director will start next month.

Kasai previously denied acting in a racist, abusive, and unethical manner. The Japanese government supported Dr. Takeshi as one of the top officials to be nominated in 2019 but has not commented on the matter at this time.

According to the summary of the internal WHO investigation presented at a meeting of the agency’s executive board this week in Geneva, “Kasai regularly harassed workers in Asia, including engaging in “aggressive communication, public humiliation, and making racial comments.”

More than 30 unidentified WHO staffers have sent out their written complaints about Kasai’s misconduct after holding off for an extended period in fear of Kasai’s retaliation.

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