Indian-origin Vivek Murthy confirmed as US Surgeon General

Photo courtesy: Twitter/@vivek_murthy
Photo courtesy: Twitter/@vivek_murthy

The United States Senate on Tuesday voted to confirm Indian-origin Dr Vivek Murthy as American surgeon general.

The vote in the Senate was 57-43, making Dr Murthy, President Biden’s main public health official to handle the coronavirus pandemic.

"I am deeply grateful to be confirmed by the Senate to serve once again as your Surgeon General. We have endured great hardship as a nation over the past year, and I look forward to working with you to help our nation heal and create a better future for our children," Vivek Murthy tweeted.

Dr Murthy had previously served in the same capacity under the Obama administration but was fired by former President Donald Trump in 2017.

Dr Murthy is a distinguished physician and former Vice Admiral in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.