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<P align=left><FONT size=1>For the kind attention of Dr. Margaret Chan Director
General, The World Health Organization </FONT></B><FONT face=Arial,Arial><FONT
size=1>(Please convey the following message to Dr. Chan) </FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=1>Dear Dr. Margaret Chan, </FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=1>The People’s Health Movement (PHM) takes great
pleasure in welcoming you as the next Director General of the World Health
Organisation. </FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=1>As you know, the PHM was active, along with
others, in trying to ensure that the election was conducted in a manner that was
transparent and which would ultimately identify the best candidate to lead an
organisation dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of people
worldwide, with a particular responsibility of reducing inequalities in health
and health care. </FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=1>You were one of the candidates who took the
trouble to respond to a set of questions that we posed to all the candidates. We
appreciate your replies, particularly those which reflect your commitment to:
</FONT></P>
<DIR>
<P align=justify><FONT size=1>• "the Alma Ata principles of Primary Health Care"
</FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=1>• "revitalise WHO health system agenda to support
countries in building their sustainable national capacities" </FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=1>• "work of the Commission of the Social
Determinants of Health in narrowing health inequalities through their
recommendations for action on the social determinants" </FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=1>• "the strengthening of relations with Civil
Society" and "listening closely to grassroots voices" </FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=1>• "transparency; removal of influence of special
interests; evidence-based practice; and the work ethic based on competencies;
collaboration and pride in achieving results for Health". </FONT></P></DIR>
<P align=justify><FONT size=1>Only a strong team with good leadership and a pool
of skills and experiences can take WHO forward into the 21</FONT><SUP><FONT
size=1>st century. We hope that you will recruit individuals into your senior
management team with the following competencies to complement those that you
already demonstrate: </FONT></P>
<DIR>
<P align=justify><FONT size=1>• the will and passion to institutionalise WHO’s
work on a rights-based and equity-oriented framework; </FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=1>• ability to communicate and develop the
principles of the Alma Ata Declaration and the Primary Health Care Approach as
the basis for all WHO activities; </FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=1>• intellectual leadership and expertise and
experience from the social, economic and political sciences to enable WHO and
its member states to take action on the social determinants of health;
</FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=1>• sustained experience of working in
developing-country contexts; </FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=1>• diplomatic skills to bring coherence to a
fragmented and chaotic global health landscape; and </FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=1>• courage and expertise to champion public health
over profits and the narrow expediencies of commercial activity.
</FONT></P></DIR>
<P align=justify><FONT size=1>It is time that WHO becomes an organisation of the
people, and not just an organisation of governments and officials. We look
forward to a renewal and strengthening of WHO’s civil </FONT></P></SUP></FONT>
<P><FONT size=1>1</FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=1>society initiative and commit ourselves to working
with you to enhance your efforts through a positive collaboration. We would like
to recall a message from the late Dr. Lee Jong Wook to the delegates of the
Second People’s Health Assembly, which was held in Cuenca last year. He noted:
</FONT></P>
<DIR>
<DIR>
<P align=justify><FONT size=1>"Our objective is the same, and our methods
complement each other: working with governments and with non-governmental groups
to protect and promote the health of all peoples. By combining our strengths and
uniting our efforts, we have achieved a great deal and we will achieve a great
deal more together…. as the People’s Charter for Health puts it, our common
vision is "a healthy life for all". Thank you for adding your voices and your
strength to the pursuit of this great objective". </FONT></P></DIR></DIR>
<P align=justify><FONT size=1>The future success of WHO will also depend on it
being properly funded and freed from too many donor-driven agendas. The
secretariat must also be allowed to function without inappropriate and undue
influence from the vested interests of particular countries or corporate
interests. PHM will endeavour to campaign for a more enabling environment for
WHO itself. </FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=1>We offer you our solidarity in working towards
equity in health and request a formal meeting with you at the earliest
convenient time. Please let us know with whom we should liaise in order to set
up such a meeting. </FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=1>Yours sincerely,</FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=1>The People’s Health Movement </FONT><FONT
size=1> </FONT></P>
<P align=justify><FONT size=1>Global </FONT><FONT
size=1> Secretariat</FONT></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>