Margaret Chan Quotes

Influenza pandemics must be taken seriously precisely because of their capacity to spread rapidly to every country in the world.

For the first time in history, we can track the evolution of a pandemic in real-time... Influenza viruses are notorious for their rapid mutation and unpredictable behaviour.

All countries should immediately now activate their pandemic preparedness plans. Countries should remain on high alert for unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia.

The international community should treat this as a window of opportunity to ramp up preparedness and response.

Pandemic influenza is by nature an international issue; it requires an international solution.

The unique nature about the influenza virus is its great potential for changes, for mutation.

HIV AIDS is a disease with stigma. And we have learned with experience, not just with HIV AIDS but with other diseases, countries for many reasons are sometimes hesitant to admit they have a problem.

Health system development is a key to effective detection, response, and control of any outbreak.

I have a reputation for being a straight-talker.

Tobacco is the only industry that produces products to make huge profits and at the same time damage the health and kill their consumers.

Avoid activities outdoor. If you like to take an afternoon nap sleep under bed net. So these are measures that can be done to minimize [the] chance of infection [with Zika virus].

After all it really is all of humanity that is under threat during a pandemic.

...we hope to stop the transmission in six to nine months

We should never forget the government should be held accountable for providing services.

For a pandemic of moderate severity, this is one of our greatest challenges: helping people to understand when they do not need to worry, and when they do need to seek urgent care.

I am personally overseeing changes that include the establishment of a global health emergency workforce.

The multiple roles that women can play in a society if given the opportunity is really a tremendous asset.

The WHO is the lead agency in health in the United Nations system, and clearly we have very important functions to play.

When WHO works with the private sector, the Organization takes all possible measures to ensure its work to develop policy and guidelines is protected from industry influence.

At a time of multiple calamities in the world, we cannot allow the loss of essential antimicrobials, essential cures for many millions of people, to become the next global crisis.

Mexico is a safe, as well as a beautiful and warmly gracious, place to visit.

A severe disease that transmits easily will leave very little international surge capacity as most countries will need their own staff and resources to combat the outbreak in their territories.

When you're dealing with new and emerging diseases, you have no idea and you can't predict in advance what would happen.

The possible impact of the virus [Zika] an extraordinary event and a public health threat to other parts of the world.

The Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, and the related Accra Agenda for Action, are useful policy instruments that set out the mutual responsibilities of donors and recipient countries.

[we have]taming of an ancient disease [malaria] that over the centuries has killed untold millions of people.

What amazes me most is that the media and I have fostered a close relationship.