A mockery of the United Nations after Mugabe was appointed Goodwill Ambassador

The United Nations faces a wave of criticism and ridicule after Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has been named Goodwill Ambassador for Health, despite poor health conditions in his country.
The United Nations World Health Organization has asked Mugabe, 93, to act as ambassador to help tackle noncommunicable diseases such as heart attacks, strokes and asthma across Africa.

The head of the organization, Tidros Gibrisos, praised Zimbabwe's health system, saying it places universal health care at the top of its priorities.

The choice raises many questions, especially as most hospitals in Zimbabwe suffer from shortages of essential medicines and medical supplies, and the government does not pay health workers regularly, the Guardian reported Saturday.

An official from Human Rights Watch said Mr Mugabe's horrific record of human rights did not qualify him to become a UN ambassador.

"Mugabe and his family are traveling to Singapore for treatment after they have destroyed the country's hospitals," said the spokesman for the Democratic Change Party (MDC).