SECRETARY-GENERAL CONGRATULATES NEW HEAD OF WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General extends his warmest congratulations to Dr. Margaret Chan as she takes office as Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO).  He wishes her every courage and success as she prepares to carry on WHO’s vital mission.  The Secretary-General particularly welcomes Dr. Chan’s visionary intention of judging the performance of WHO by two key indicators:  improvements in the health of the people of Africa and in the health of women.  He agrees fully with Dr. Chan that, as a health organization for the whole world, the work of WHO must touch the lives of everyone, everywhere -- but that it must focus its attention on those in the greatest need.

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For information media • not an official record