A tribute to Dr Lee Jong-Wook, Director-General of WHO from the staff of the Stop TB Department
WHO
With the sudden death of Dr Lee, Director-General of WHO, the TB community has lost an important supporter. As a former director of WHO's Stop TB Department, he successfully initiated work programmes - such as the Global TB Drug Facility - that today have saved the lives of millions of TB patients. Dr Lee was a unique visionary who understood the need to fight infectious disease as a public health priority. But for many though, he was not just a world leader, but a friend, a friend who understood how to get the best out of people and teams. Perhaps this, reflected through the achievements happening in TB control today, will be his lasting legacy.