Brazzaville, 11 April 2007 -- WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan, is expected in Brazzaville on Wednesday on her first official visit to Africa since she assumed office on 4 January.

Dr Chan’s visit will enable her to meet all senior WHO leaders in the African region, a region with various daunting health challenges which, she says, rank top on her list of priorities during her tenure as Director-General of WHO.

“We look forward to Dr Chan's visit, which is another demonstration of her intention to translate her oft-stated commitment to our region into action,” said WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo.

During her two-day visit, Dr Chan will meet with WHO staff at the Regional Office, and address the 38th Regional Programme Meeting - a statutory Programme Budget planning and coordinating forum which brings together WHO’s Africa senior management staff, Regional Advisers and WHO Representative from the 46 countries which make up the WHO African Region.

She is also expected to meet with the Congolese leader, President Denis Sassou Nguesso during her visit.

Addressing WHO staff around the world on taking office early this year, Dr Chan made clear: “I want my leadership to be judged by the impact of our work on health on two populations: women and the people of Africa.”

For more information contact:

Samuel T. Ajibola

Tel: + 47 241 39378 ; Mobile: 6537022

Email : ajibolas [at] afro.who.int (ajibolas[at]afro[dot]who[dot]int)