Funeral of UN health agency chief Lee Jong-wook set for tomorrow in Geneva

The funeral of Lee Jong-wook, Director-General of the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO), who suddenly died on Monday, will take place in Geneva tomorrow at the Basilique de Notre-Dame.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown, will represent Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Tributes to Dr. Lee, who made the fight against HIV/AIDS a hallmark of his tenure and led global preparations for a possible human bird flu pandemic, continued to flow in.

“Dr. Lee worked tirelessly to improve the health of millions of people, from combating tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS to his aggressive efforts to eradicate polio,” United States President George W. Bush said.

“He provided tremendous leadership to the international community as it confronted the challenges of the 21st century, including the threat of an influenza pandemic. Dr. Lee’s outreach to world leaders and entities increased awareness of potentially devastating public health dangers,” he added.

Mark Harrington, Executive Director of the non-governmental organization Treatment Action Group (TAG) said: “People living with HIV/AIDS around the world should take a moment and recognize the pivotal contributions to their lives made by Dr. LEE Jong-wook. TAG expresses its solidarity with all those who are mourning the loss of this transformative leader in the world’s struggle against AIDS.”

Dr. Lee’s widow has requested that donations in memory of Dr Lee should be given to the project where she works, Socios En Salud in Lima, Peru. Donations can be given via the sister organization of Socios En Salud, Partners In Health www.pih.org.