Geneva, Jan. 25 -- Executive Director of WHO's Division for Universal Health Coverage - Life Course Peter Salama passed away, a WHO statement said.

He was 51 and is survived with his wife and three children.

According to the statement released on Friday, the Organisation extends its most profound sympathies and condolences to Dr Salama's family, friends and colleagues.

''Pete embodied everything that is best about WHO and the United Nations - professionalism, commitment and compassion,'' WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

''Our hearts are broken'', he added.

Dr Salama, a medical epidemiologist from Australia, joined WHO in 2016 as Executive Director of WHO's Health Emergencies programme, which he led until 2019. ...