UN Chronicle | New WHO Head: Dr. Jong-Wook Lee elected Director-General

New WHO Head:
Dr. Jong-Wook Lee elected Director-General
By Nuchhi R. Currier for the Chronicle

Web Article

As health issues dominate world headlines and predatory diseases like HIV/AIDS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), tuberculosis and malaria roil populations and rock economies, the World Health Organization (WHO) acquires greater authority and its role greater urgency. At the World Health Assembly on 21 May 2003, the 192 Member States elected Dr. Jong-Wook Lee as Director-General of the Organization, succeeding Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland.

Dr. Lee, the first national of the Republic of Korea to ever head a United Nations agency, is a veteran of WHO, having worked there for 19 years in various technical, managerial and policy positions, notably leading the fight against tuberculosis, as well as children's vaccine-preventable diseases. He has also led the WHO Global Programme for Vaccines and Immunizations and the Stop TB programme.

In his speech to the Assembly, he recalled the Organization's commitment of attaining the highest health standards for every human being on earth and declared his intention to immediately expand and strengthen the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network. "The world needs leadership in the ongoing struggle for security and justice. Security from infections, and justice for those worst affected by diseases of poverty" he said, emphasizing the importance of meeting the health targets of the Millennium Development Goals.

Underlining the importance of health for global economic development and security, he announced in an interview the launch of a new "Global Health Surveillance and Response Initiative", which is envisioned to build capacity and strengthen infrastructure at the local, national and global levels to combat communicable diseases. Not shying of ambitious targets, Dr. Lee declared a war on polio, committing to an all-out assault and eradication within his five-year tenure as Director-General.

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New Appointments at the WHO: Dr. Jong Wook Lee to Lead WHO as Director-General

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