HKSAR Government supports Dr Margaret Chan's WHO Director-General election campaign (with photos)
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    The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, today (July 31) discussed with Dr Margaret Chan at Government House how the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government could complement the efforts by the Central People's Government in supporting her election campaign for the post of Director-General of the World Health Organisation.

     The Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, the Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Ms Sandra Lee, and the Director of Health, Dr Lam Ping-yan, also attended the session.

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

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

     He said: "Margaret is most eminently suitable for the job because she is an outstanding public health professional with a strong sense of responsibility and solid professional and academic background: first-hand experience in handling infectious disease prevention and control; her full understanding of the operation and challenges of the WHO; and more importantly her illustrious record of achievement in terms of influenza pandemic preparedness during the past three years in WHO."

     In reply, Dr Chan said she was deeply honored by the trust placed in her by the 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. The new Director-General of WHO will have a crucial role in ensuring that the Organisation's work supports the Member States' efforts in reducing poverty, promoting health and preventing diseases and suffering, especially in the developing countries," said Dr Chan.

     She 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.

     Twelve countries were represented in the reception. The Commissioner of the Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong, Mr Lu Xinhua, also took part in the function.

Ends/Monday, July 31, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:16

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