HHS Chief Leavitt praises WHO nominee

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt Wednesday applauded the new World Health Organization director general nominee.

The nominee, former Hong Kong Health Director Margaret Chan, is a "strong leader with a proven record on managing health programs," said Leavitt, who headed the U.S. delegation to the WHO elections.

He also pointed to her success managing responses to SARS and avian-flu outbreaks in Hong Kong, saying, "I am confident she will ensure WHO's role as the premier global health agency, guided by scientific excellence and well-prepared to meet the many challenges it faces."

WHO, the global health arm of the United Nations, embarked on an expedited search for a new director general after South Korean Director General Lee Jong-wook died from a blood clot in May.