Newswatch

Sunday, February 9, 2003

UH Alum to lead
World Health Organization

ASSOCIATED PRESS A little-known South Korean tuberculosis expert who graduated from the University of Hawaii School of Public Health has been selected as the director-general of the Word Health Organization, promising more help for those worst hit by AIDS and other scourges.

Jong-wook Lee, head of the WHO’s Stop TB program, defeated several higher-profile candidates – including Mozambique’s prime minister, Mexico’s health minister and the head of the UH AIDS agency.

Lee, 57, received a Master of Public Health degree in epidemiology from the University in 1981. He singled out the fight against AIDS as a top priority and said he would focus on Africa.

"Our mission is at once extremely simple and challenging, and that is attainment by all of the highest level of health," he told reporters.

Lee will become the first South Korean to head a UN agency. As director-general, he will oversee a budget of more than $1 billion. In addition to tackling infectious diseases and poverty related ailments, e will have to wrestle with choppy new topics such as advances in biotechnology and cloning.

Lee started work for the WHO 19 years ago on Hansen’s Disease (leprosy) programs in the South Pacific and on vaccine development. As head of the anti-TB program for two years he has gained a reputation as an efficient administrator.