Dr Margaret Chan of China will be the next Director General of the World Health Organizati

In her acceptance speech, Dr Chun said: "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... Improvements in the health of the people of Africa and the health of women are key indicators of the performance of WHO." "All regions, all countries, all people are equally important. This is a health organization for the whole world. Our work must touch on the Lives of everyone, everywhere," she said. "But we must focus our attention on the people in greatest need."

Dr Chun was nominated as Director-General on Wednesday by the WHO Executive Board and her appointment was confirmed on Thursday by the World Health Assembly. The Director-General is WHO's chief technical and administrative officer. She was previously WHO Assistant Director General for Communicable Diseases and Representative of the Director-General for Pandemic Influenza.

Dr Chan obtained her Medical Degree from the University of Western Ontario in Canada and also has a degree in public health from the National University of Singapore. She joined the Hong Kong Department of Health in 1978, and was appointed as Director of Health in 1994. As Director, she launched new services focusing on prevention of disease and promotion of health. She also introduced new initiatives to improve, communicable disease surveillance and response, enhance training for public health professionals, and to, establish better local and international collaboration. She has effectively managed outbreaks of avian influenza and the world's first outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

The procedures for the current nomination and election process were decided following the sudden death of Dr LEE Jong-wook, WHO Director-General, on 22 May 2006. At its meeting on 23 May, the WHO Executive Board agreed on an "accelerated process" for electing a Director-General.

In her speech to the World Health Assembly, she said: "In leading WHO, I will like all my predecessors by WHO in its efforts to improve world health are subject to scientific scrutiny, or yield their secrets under a microscope. You know the ones I mean: lack of resources and too little political commitment. These are often the true killers ."

Ending her address, Dr Chan repeated her pledge to work hard to improve the health of people around the world. "The work we do together saves lives and relieves suffering. I will work with you tirelessly to make this world a healthier place."

Chan, 59, is expected to take office in January for a five-year term. The U.N. agency has been led by Dr. Anders Nordstrom of Sweden who was appointed by the Executive Board as Acting Director General of WHO in May. He will continue in this role until a new Director-General takes office.

The Chinese government on Thursday congratulated Margaret Chan after she was confirmed as new chief of the World Health Organization. It is the first time a Chinese national has been elected to head a specialized U.N. body, Jiang Yu, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, said. The Chinese government fully supports Margaret Chart as the director-general of the WHO, Jiang said, noting that governments of Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions also actively supported her.

Chan is capable, experienced, which left the members of the WHO Executive Board a deep impression and won wide support from WHO member countries, the spokeswoman said. It is believed that Chan will fully implement her promise and work together with all members f

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