Roundup: HK backs Margaret Chan to run for WHO Director-General

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive Donald Tsang said in Hong Kong Monday the HKSAR government will fully support Dr. Margaret Chan in her campaign for the post of Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Tsang voiced his support for Dr. Margaret Chan, former director of health of Hong Kong and currently serving as WHO assistant director-general for communicable diseases control and prevention, during a 50-minute meeting and discussion with Chan at the HKSAR Government House.

After the meeting, Tsang hosted a reception to recommend Dr. Chan to the consular representatives in the Special Administrative Region. Twelve representatives from the 34 countries on the Executive Board of the WHO were present.

Lu Xinhua, commissioner of the Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong, also attended the reception.

Tsang told the Consuls-General and Honorary Consuls that if Dr. Chan is elected as the Director-General, she will lead WHO into a new era of international cooperation.

"Margaret is most eminently suitable for the job because she is an outstanding public health professional with a strong sense of responsibility, solid professional and academic background," Tsang said, referring to her first-hand experience in handling infectious disease prevention and control and her full understanding of the operation of and challenges to the WHO.

Tsang added that Dr. Chan will be the right candidate for WHO Director-General given her illustrious record of achievements in terms of influenza pandemic preparedness during the past three years in WHO.

Tsang said Dr. Chan had been recognized for her contribution and professional knowledge by Hong Kong people during her government services in Hong Kong.

In reply, Dr. Chan said she was deeply honored by the trust placed in her by the Chinese central government.

"In these times of great change in global health, leadership of the WHO demands vision, integrity, political skills, technical knowledge and managerial excellence," Dr. Chan said.

"The new Director-General of WHO will have a crucial role in ensuring that the Organization's work supports the Member States' efforts in reducing poverty, promoting health and preventing diseases and suffering, especially in the developing countries," she said.

Dr. Chan said she was confident that her 28 years of experience in public health amassed in Hong Kong and in WHO had prepared her for the upcoming challenge.

Dr. Chan also met health officials in Hong Kong to listen to their opinions on world health issues.

Chan returned to Hong Kong from Beijing on Sunday after meeting officials of the central government, including Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi and Minister of Health Gao Qiang.

China announced on July 25 to recommend Margaret Dr. Chan to run for WHO Director-General, a post that will be elected by the Executive Board of WHO in November.

In 1994, Dr. Chan was appointed the first female Director of Health in Hong Kong and gained a wealth of experience in combating infectious diseases like avian influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

In 2003, she joined the WHO and worked as WHO's Director of the Department of Protection of the Human Environment. In June 2005, she was appointed Director of Communicable Diseases Surveillance and Response as well as Representative of the Director-General for Pandemic Influenza.

Source: Xinhua