The Global Alliance for TB Drug Development today issued a statement expressing its sorrow over the death of Dr. LEE Jong-wook, the Director-General of the World Health Organization.
“Dr. Lee was a steadfast supporter and ardent advocate for all activities targeted at ending TB. He will be sorely missed,” said Maria C. Freire, PhD., CEO and President of the TB Alliance. “We join others in the global health community in expressing our condolences and our appreciation for his contributions to improving the lives of millions of people around the world.”
Dr. Lee was elected to the post of Director-General on May 21, 2003, for a five-year term. Prior to assuming leadership of WHO, Dr. Lee was founding director of the WHO Stop TB Department and was instrumental during his three-year tenure to creating the Stop TB Partnership.
Dr. LEE Jong-wook died Monday morning in Geneva, where he had been hospitalized since Saturday after undergoing emergency surgery for a subdural hematoma. He was 61.