Posted on 05/22/2006 9:32:29 AM PDT by Smokin' Joe
WHO chief dies after emergency brain surgery
22/05/2006 - 10:12:36
Dr Lee Jong-wook, head of the World Health Organisation, has died after emergency surgery for a blood clot in his brain over the weekend, officials in Geneva said today.
Lee, who spearheaded the UN health agency’s fight against the spread of bird flu and the preparations for a potential human influenza pandemic, died this morning, said South Korea’s Ambassador to Switzerland, Park Won-hwa. Lee was 61.
It is a “very sad bit of news”, Elena Salgado, Spain’s health minister and president of the World Health Assembly, said at the opening of the annual meeting of the 192 members of WHO.
Lee “was an exceptional person and an exceptional director-general”, Salgado said.
Lee, who took over as director-general of WHO in 2003, underwent emergency surgery for a blood clot in his brain at the weekend in the Cantonal Hospital of Geneva.
He fell ill on Saturday afternoon while attending an official function. He was taken to a hospital and medical staff operated immediately.
WHO had already said Lee would be in hospital for “some time” and would be unable to attend the World Health Assembly, the annual meeting of WHO members which started today.
Lee had worked for WHO for 23 years, including time served in regional posts.
ping
There's an insightful comment to be had in there somewhere, but I'm dipped if I can see what it is.
Dr. Who has left the building...
Or would he just know how to scare up funding?
We've still got Roger!
another FOB
Costello: What was responsible for the blood clot in his brain?
Abbott: Who's brain?
Costello: I don't know.
Together: Third base!
RIP
Roger that!
Nanny State Ping.
I will refrain from the rather irreverent comments that are currently swimming in my head..........
When they broke the seal, all the compressed air let out and he was a goner.
If he only had a condom, this would have come out better.
bump
Let me be the first FR member to offer prayers to his family, instead of jokes.
The WHO is about the only UN organization that actually accomplishes anything.
They've been largely responsible for eliminating or almost eliminating several infectious diseases.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.