Margaret Chan

陈冯富珍

1947–present

Director of Health of Hong Kong (1994–2003)
Director-General of the World Health Organization (2006–2017)

Biography

Margaret Chan (born 1947) is a Hong Kong-born public health specialist who served as Director of Health of Hong Kong from 1994 to 2003, leading the territory's public health response during the SARS outbreak. Hong Kong recorded 1,755 confirmed cases and 299 deaths during the epidemic, making it one of the most severely affected jurisdictions. Chan oversaw the establishment of Hong Kong's quarantine and contact-tracing systems and coordinated actively with the WHO and the international community. She subsequently joined the WHO in 2003, rose through its infectious disease departments, and was elected Director-General of the World Health Organization in 2006, serving two terms until 2017.

Related Events (1)

2002-11-01

SARS Epidemic

A novel coronavirus emerged in Guangdong province in November 2002 and spread globally, ultimately infecting over 8,000 people across 29 countries with 774 deaths. China's initial management of information flows delayed the international response. Following containment, China and the international community undertook systemic reforms to public health emergency and reporting mechanisms.

social