WHO chief dies

Published May 23, 2006

GENEVA, May 22: World Health Organisation chief Lee Jong-wook of South Korea died on Monday two days after suffering a blood clot on the brain, the United Nations agency said. Mr Lee, 61, was spearheading the organisation’s fight against global threats from bird flu, AIDS and other infectious diseases. He was WHO’s director-general since 2003.

“I am sorry to tell you that Dr Lee Jong-wook, director-general of the WHO, died this morning,” Spanish Health Minister Elena Salgado told the opening meeting of the agency’s annual assembly. Her voice trembling, Ms Salgado described Mr Lee as an ‘exceptional person and an exceptional director-general’.

—Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...
Centre vs provinces
Updated 10 Jun, 2026

Centre vs provinces

The reason the centre finds itself in this position is rooted in its failure to expand the tax net and boost revenues.
Party in crisis
10 Jun, 2026

Party in crisis

THE young KP chief minister must be starting to realise just how thorny a seat he occupies. There has been a flurry...
Varsity woes
10 Jun, 2026

Varsity woes

FINANCIAL crises affecting public sector universities across Pakistan are now having an impact on academic...