As a candidate for the post of Director-General of the World
Health Organization (WHO), Dr Margaret Chan, said Wednesday she was
more confident about her chances having secured the support of
China's central government as well as the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (HKSAR).
Currently serving as WHO Assistant Director-General for
Communicable Diseases she held a press conference yesterday
afternoon before departing for Geneva. Dr Chan explained she'd met
with HKSAR Chief Executive Donald Tsang; Hong Kong Secretary for
Health, Welfare and Food, York Chow and professional colleagues for
their advice in the run-up to the appointment.??
Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi
(R) shakes hands with Margaret Chan, during their meeting in
Beidaihe, a summer seaside resort in north China's Hebei Province
on July 29, 2006.
Dr Chan said she felt a bit nervous having secured the backing
of the central government in her bid to become Director-General.
However, at the same time their support and assistance from the
government of HKSAR had heightened her confidence.
She stressed she'd do her utmost to live up to everyone's
expectations. She would become "an international civil servant" if
elected to the post. "I've to demonstrate that I'll be fair, open
and transparent and deal with issues on their merits," said Dr
Chan. ?
China announced on July 25 that it was recommending Dr. Chan for
the position. The appointment will be made by the WHO Executive
Board 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 such as avian influenza and severe acute
respiratory syndrome (SARS).
In 2003 she joined WHO and as Director of the Department of
Protection of the Human Environment. In June 2005 she was appointed
as Director of Communicable Diseases Surveillance and Response as
well as being a Representative of the Director-General for Pandemic
Influenza.
(Xinhua News Agency August 3, 2006)
