The NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health is deeply saddened by the passing of Emeritus Professor Lee Shiu-Hung, former Director of Health, Hong Kong.
Prof Lee was a graduate of the School’s Diploma of Public Health course (Class of ’63) and went on to become a respected leader and advocate in the field of public health in Hong Kong and internationally. He was appointed founding Director of Health upon the establishment of the Department of Health in April 1989 and headed the Department until 1994. Under his leadership, Prof Lee made substantial contributions and advancements to public health and primary health care in Hong Kong’s health services, including establishing an infrastructure for the control of communicable diseases in Hong Kong.
Prof Lee’s dedication to promoting the development of public health continued on after his retirement from civil service. He joined the Chinese University of Hong Kong as Professor of Community Medicine, became founding President of the Hong Kong College of Community Medicine, and spearheaded the formation of the World Association of Chinese Public Health Professionals. Prof Lee was recognised and honoured for his contributions to public health, receiving the World Health Organisation Medal from the Western Pacific Regional office in 1988 and awards from the Asia Pacific Association for the Control of Tobacco in 2007 and the Alliance on Healthy Cities in 2010.
Prof Lee’s passing signifies a tremendous loss for the medical and public health community in Hong Kong as well as in the international sphere. His outstanding efforts and contributions towards public health have inspired and paved the way for numerous public health professionals. Prof Lee will be dearly missed by fellow colleagues and friends at SSHSPH.