Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Wall Street Journal - November 10, 2006
Betsy McKay, betsy.mckay@wsj.com
Dr. Chan's candidacy was approved in a special session of the World Health Assembly, which comprises WHO's 192 member countries. She was nominated Wednesday for the world's top health post by WHO's executive board, a governing body made up of representatives of 34 member countries.
The confirmation vote is a landmark for China; Ms. Chan was its first ever nominee to the post, and the country has been criticized by the international health community for failing to disclose critical health information in a timely way. Dr. Chan has pledged not to favor Chinese political interests over those of international public health.
Dr. Chan, who had been the agency's top communicable diseases official, will assume her new role Jan. 4. Her term is expected to run five and a half years, ending June 30, 2012.
During the World Health Assembly meeting, a member of China's delegation praised Dr. Chan and promised the Chinese government would "enhance cooperation with the WHO and encourage and support Dr. Chan faithfully throughout her duties."
In a speech to assembly delegates after taking her oath of office, Dr. Chan pledged to "work with you tirelessly to make this world a healthier place."
She warned that "infectious diseases have staged a dramatic comeback" and promised to work harder to prevent and prepare for outbreaks such as pandemic flu. "HIV, Ebola, SARS and avian influenza will not be the last bad surprises delivered by the ever-changing microbial world," she said.
Dr. Chan said global outbreak alert and response mechanisms already in place aren't enough to prevent a pandemic, and more is needed in individual countries. The WHO will help countries improve prevention, preparedness and response efforts, she said.
She said she would also devote efforts to improving health in a broad range of areas, from infectious diseases to chronic conditions such as heart disease and cancer, as well as pushing ahead with tobacco control efforts.
The health of two vulnerable populations -- the people of Africa and women -- should be key indicators by which the agency's performance is judged, she said.
"I want us to be judged by the impact we have on the health of the people of Africa and the health of women," she said.
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