Dr. Hanan Balkhy, the Saudi candidate for Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), stated that her first priority would be to reset the relationship between the organization and its member states, adopting a framework where nations lead while the WHO listens and empowers. In a recent interview, Balkhy emphasized that restoring trust requires absolute transparency in scientific decision-making, free from political interference. She also called for sustainable funding to reduce reliance on earmarked donations and highlighted the importance of boosting local vaccine and drug manufacturing to improve national health resilience. Drawing on over three decades of professional experience, Balkhy argued that the WHO's success should be measured by the practical implementation of policies rather than just guidelines. She stressed that health should never be a negotiating chip and reiterated that protecting healthcare workers and vulnerable populations remains the core focus of her leadership, reflecting her experience in managing humanitarian crises in conflict-affected regions.