In a statement the WHO described Dr Lee, a national of the Republic of Korea, as a world leader in public health.    

‘€œHe tackled every challenge with passion, dedication and professionalism. He was unfalteringly committed to WHO’s mission, to help all people to attain the highest possible level of health,’€ the statement said.

It added that throughout his 23-year career at WHO, Lee made a difference in every programme he managed – whether by leading the charge to eradicate polio from the Western Pacific, or  to launch a cutting edge Global Drug Facility so people would have access to tuberculosis medicines.

The British Broadcasting Authority reported on Monday that Lee had been rushed to hospital in Geneva on Saturday. Initially he had been described as “recovering” but he died early on Monday.

Lee was taken ill on Saturday afternoon while attending an official function. He was taken to Geneva’s Cantonal Hospital and underwent emergency surgery for a blood clot in his brain.

The news of his sudden death came as the 192-nation body convened its annual assembly.

“I am sorry to tell you that Dr Lee Jong-wook, director-general of the WHO, died this morning,” Spain’s Health Minister Elena Salgado told the opening session of the assembly.

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan also paid tribute to Lee: “The world has lost a great man today. LEE Jong-wook was a man of conviction and passion. He was a strong voice for the right of every man, woman and child to health prevention and care, and advocated on behalf of the very poorest people.

‘€œHe tackled the most difficult problems head on, while upholding the highest principles.   He will be very gravely missed, but history will mark LEE Jong-wook’s many contributions to public health.”

UNAIDS executive director Peter Piot also paid tribute to Lee: ‘€œWith the passing away of Dr Lee, the world has lost one of its greatest forces for good health ‘€“ a scientist, policymaker and leader of exceptional caliber and accomplishments.’€

While personally a modest man, the WHO said Lee would be remembered as a bold leader.

When he became Director-General, he announced that WHO would work with partners to achieve “3 by 5” – to ensure three million people with HIV/AIDS would have access to the medicines they needed by the end of 2005.  

While the world fell short of the target, the successes and momentum of “3 by 5” demonstrated that universal access to medicines was possible – and had become a moral imperative.  

A few days before his death, Lee explained his vision of “universal access” to staff in his office as he worked on his speech to the World Health Assembly: “There can be no ‘comfort level’ in the fight against HIV. We must keep up the pressure to get prevention, treatment and care linked and working.   A key outcome of “3 by 5″ was the commitment to universal access to treatment by 2010.   But what does universal access mean? To me, this means that no one should die because they can’t get drugs. It means that no one will miss being tested, diagnosed, treated and cared for because there aren’t clinics.”        

As Director-General, he led global efforts to tackle avian influenza and to prepare for a human influenza pandemic. Pointing to the health, social and economic devastation of historical influenza pandemics, he stressed repeatedly that every head of state should ensure their country developed a national pandemic preparation plan.

He personally met with many heads of state, including US President George Bush, President Jacques Chirac, of France, and President Hu Jintao of China.    

He talked to the top decision-makers, but sought out everyday people to ask about their lives, as he traveled the world. He would find a farmer, or a market stall holder, a nurse, or a schoolchild and learn about them. Their personal stories with their photographs were often the anchor for his public statements on global health policy.  

Lee was invited by President Vladimir Putin to speak at the G8 Summit this July in St. Petersburg, where the fight against infectious disease is one of three major items on the agenda.

He preferred to lead by example, rather than instruction. He led a healthy life, and embraced life in Switzerland to its fullest. He loved skiing, mountain biking, and walking. He would pause at the office window and invite others to stand with him, reflecting on the beauty of the lakes, mountains and hills around him. During lunch hours at WHO, he would often take walks through the gardens, or a bike ride along the paths. He took great pleasure in sharing good food and wine. He also set an example across the United Nations, with strict rules against tobacco use, and the conversion of the fleet of WHO cars to small, environmentally-friendly fuel/electric vehicles.  

‘€œHe will be very fondly remembered for his self-deprecating wit.   He often used his quirky, unexpected humour either to put people at ease, to diffuse a difficult situation, or just to make his friends laugh with his astute observations,’€ the WHO said.

Lee was the first UN agency head from the Republic of Korea. He began his five-year term as Director-General of WHO on 21 July, 2003.  

Lee was 61 years old. He is survived by his wife and son, two brothers and one sister and their families.  
Condolences can be sent to DrLee-tribute@who.int.

* Director-General of the WHO, Dr Anders Nordstr̦m Рcurrently Assistant Director-General for General Management Рwill serve as Acting Director-General.