THE TASKFORCE

ARTICLES

PROFILE: Margaret Chan, WHO chief 123 by Times Online (2009-03-14)

As head of the world’s health authority, Margaret Chan, a diminutive Chinese scientist, is skilled at getting leaders to sit up and listen. People can be “sons of guns” who need to “walk the talk”, while some of the most effective earbending, she believes, can be done by ministerial spouses in the bedroom.

“Have you seen the film Pillow Talk?” she asked her audience at Downing Street on Thursday night. “That’s what its about.”

For Dr Chan, an expert in communicable disease including pandemic flu and Sars, the entirely preventable dangers of childbirth run by women in the developing world has become a central mission. And the help of the first ladies of the world — including Gordon Brown’s wife, Sarah — is key to driving the issue up the political agenda.

“Behind every successful man is a successful woman. The partnership is important,” she said. “That is why we have many contries that have demonstrated successful progress through mobilising first ladies or local champions.

She added that the Browns, with their first-hand experience of losing a child shortly after birth, were very powerful advocates of the cause. “Every leader has to juggle political demands, but first hand experience is very powerful,” she said.

Seen as feisty and unflappable, Dr Chan also emphasises the need to speak to the lay person — often with soundbites — and avoid flooding audiences with the scientific technicalities that appear so readily in her job.

Dr Chan was appointed to the post of Director-General in 2006, after three years at the World Health Organisation in roles in health improvements through environmental protection and communicable disease surveillance. Her term runs until 2012.

Before the WHO, she was Hong Kong’s director of health for nine years, when she introduced new initiatives to improve communicable disease surveillance and response, enhance training for public health professionals, and establish better local and international collaboration. She effectively managed outbreaks of avian influenza and of severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars).

The GAVI, Global Fund, and World Bank joint funding platform
by LANCET (2009-11-16)
The GAVI, Global Fund, and World Bank joint funding platform On Sept 23, the Taskforce on Innovative International Financing for…
Innovative financing of health care
by BMJ, Tatum Anderson, freelance journalist (2009-11-05)
  With national budgets stretched, countries are trying to find new ways to fund aid to developing countries, Tatum Anderson…
All Together Now
by Gordon Brown (2009-10-01)
  Read the article by Gordon Brown in the International Herald Tribune
AL JAZEERA COVERAGE OF THE UNGA MEETING VIDEO
by (2009-09-28)
  AL JAZEERA COVERAGE OF THE UNGA MEETING - VIDEO 1 AL JAZEERA COVERAGE OF THE UNGA MEETING - VIDEO 2  
Calls for new global health framework
by ABC (2009-09-25)
ASHLEY HALL: It's estimated that every day 1500 women die in childbirth or because of complications during pregnancy. And health…
The New York Times: A Tiny Tax Could Do a World of Good
by By PHILIPPE DOUSTE-BLAZY. (2009-09-25)
AS leaders of the world's largest economies gather today in Pittsburgh for the Group of 20 meeting, people in the…
Women step up pressure for maternal health
by TIMES (UK) (2009-09-25)
They came in their Jimmy Choos, their diamonds and their pearls. But these women meant business. As the (mostly male)…
Aid deal pledges free health care
by BBC (2009-09-24)
At least 10 million people in developing nations will get access to free health care, in an aid deal launched…
HEALTH SYSTEMS THAT DELIVER FOR WOMEN WHEN THEY DELIVER BENEFIT ALL, SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS TASK FORCE ON INNOVATIVE HEALTH FINANCING
by States News Service (2009-09-24)
Following are Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's remarks at the launch of the report of the Task Force on Innovative International Financing…
World leaders can boost healthcare at UN
by Archbishop Desmond Tutu (2009-09-23)
Today a unique opportunity will present itself to world leaders, which has the potential to change the face of healthcare…
Extra $1bn for healthcare in world's 72 poorest nations
by THE GUARDIAN (UK) : Sarah Boseley, health editor (2009-09-22)
Extra money is intended to fund vaccines for children in developing countries and improve healthcare systems Tuesday 22 September 2009…
New Airline Ticket Tax to Aid the Developing World
by TIME (2009-09-19)
Starting next January, whenever you buy an airline ticket at a travel agency or online, there'll be a new question…
UK Prime Minister and President of Liberia spedak out on women's rights.
by (2009-08-25)
Taking Women's Rights Seriously The sustained degradation and subjugation of girls and women remains the world's most pervasive human rights…
Anders Nordstrom Interview
by Dagens Nyheter (2009-05-28)
Sida warns: millions of children could die due to financial crisis The financial crisis will destroy progress that´s been made…
FEATURE: Children's futures: Keeping kids - and your money - healthy
by Shabtai Gold, dpa (2009-03-20)
Geneva (dpa) - Government bonds are generally attractive to the layman investor as they are relatively safe. The saver can…
Save mothers – and you will save the world
by Sarah Brown, The Observer (2009-03-15)
A new campaign to improve maternal care could finally reduce needless deaths in childbirth In 1985, the great Professor Allan…
PROFILE: Margaret Chan, WHO chief 123
by Times Online (2009-03-14)
As head of the world’s health authority, Margaret Chan, a diminutive Chinese scientist, is skilled at getting leaders to sit…
Women of the world are crying out for your help
by Telegraph (2009-03-12)
Around the world today, more than 1,400 women will die as a result of complications during pregnancy or childbirth, either…
Christopher Egerton-Warburton (Working Group II) interviewed on Bloomberg TV
by Bloomberg (2009-03-05)
Download the video
World poverty, poor health, financial meltdown? Gordon'll fix it. Jim's getting on a bit
by Hugh Muir, Guardian (2009-03-05)
He may or may not return with new stature from his meeting with Barack Obama - the audacity of hype,…