New head of WHO puts women and Africa at top of her agenda

dpa German Press Agency
Published: Thursday November 9, 2006

Geneva- Bird flu expert and former Hong Kong Director of Health Margaret Chan was formally elected Thursday as the new head of the World Health Organization. She was confirmed as the new Director-General by the World Health Assembly of 193 member states.

After her election, she told the Assembly she wanted to be judged by the impact WHO's work has on the people of Africa and on women across the globe.

"What matters most to me is people. And two specific groups of people in particular. I want us to be judged by the impact we have on the health of the people of Africa, and the health of women," said Chan.

"Improvements in the health of the people of Africa and the health of women are key indicators of the performance of WHO.

"This is a health organization for the whole world. Our work must touch on the lives of everyone, everywhere. But we must focus our attention on the people in greatest need."

She has managed major health crises during her career in public health including the world's first outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Avian flu.

She joined WHO and became chief technical and administrative officer after working previously as Assistant Director-General for Communicable Diseases.

She paid tribute to her predecessor, Dr Lee Jong-wook who died suddenly in May, and told the Assembly she intended uring her five year term as director-general to focus on six key issues - health development, security, capacity, information and knowledge, partnership, and performance.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency