Former WHO Director-General Dies

Halfdan Mahler, the third leader of the World Health Organization, has passed away at age 93.

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WIKIMEDIA, ERLINGMANDELMANN

Halfdan Mahler, the third Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), died this week (December 14). He was 93.

Mahler joined the agency in 1951. During his tenure at WHO, he worked with the National Tuberculosis Programme in India and led the tuberculosis unit at WHO headquarters, in Geneva. Mahler was also Director Project Systems Analysis and Assistant Director-General, before becoming Director-General in 1973. He held that role until his retirement, in 1988.

Mahler then directed the International Planned Parenthood Federation until 1995. “He will be deeply missed by the global health community,” the WHO said in a statement.

Thumbnail image: WHO

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