Fresh face: Dr Lam Ping-yan will lead the Department of Health from August 21.

Deputy Director of Health Dr Lam Ping-yan will succeed Dr Margaret Chan as Director from August 21.

Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service Rebecca Lai said Dr Lam has proven leadership and administrative skills plus profound professional experience. She is confident he will lead the department well in facing the challenges ahead.

Dr Lam is one of the key people responsible for implementing public health control measures during the SARS outbreak.

A specialist in Community Medicine, Dr Lam is head of the administrative services of the department and is responsible for, among other duties, health regulations and specialised infectious disease programmes such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.

Aged 51, Dr Lam joined the civil service as a Medical & Health Officer in July 1978. He was promoted to Assistant Director of Health in May 1994 and to Deputy Director in June 1996.

Mrs Lai thanked Dr Chan for her dedicated and meritorious service during the last 25 years and wished her every success in her new World Health Organisation post.