Dr Gevorg Tamamyan, Candidate for WHO Director-General, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology at Yerevan State Medical University and Editor-in-Chief of OncoDaily, announces that Dr. Chinburen Jigjidsuren, former Minister of Health of Mongolia and Member of Parliament, has joined his campaign’s International Advisory Board, highlighting his contributions to cancer care, healthcare reform, and tobacco control in Mongolia.
“It is a great honor to announce that Dr. Chinburen Jigjidsuren, former Minister of Health of Mongolia and Member of the State Great Khural (Parliament) of Mongolia, has kindly agreed to join the International Advisory Board of my campaign for Director-General of the World Health Organization.
Dr. Chinburen is a true changemaker. A surgeon by training, he established Mongolia’s first dedicated liver–pancreas surgical team together with his colleagues and, as Director of the National Cancer Center, helped launch the center’s liver transplant program. Through his work as Minister of Health and as a parliamentarian, he has been championing health innovation and accessible healthcare for the whole country.
Just a few days ago, the Mongolian Parliament adopted amendments to the Law on Tobacco Control, and Dr. Chinburen was one of their architects. When we met in Ulaanbaatar a few months ago, he spoke about these changes with such passion and concern that I could feel how much they meant to him. Today they are a reality and will help protect the health of generations of Mongolians.
Thank you very much for your trust and support, my dear friend.”
About Dr Chinburen Jigjidsuren
Dr Chinburen Jigjidsuren, MD, PhD, is a Mongolian oncologic surgeon, former Minister of Health of Mongolia, and Member of the State Great Khural (Parliament). He served as General Director of the National Cancer Center of Mongolia from 2016 to 2019 and previously leaded its Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Unit. He played a key role in establishing Mongolia’s first dedicated liver–pancreas surgical team and developing the liver transplantation program at the National Cancer Center.
He completed surgical training at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland and earned his PhD from Tokyo Women’s Medical University in Japan. Throughout his career, he has contributed to the development of cancer care in Mongolia, combining clinical practice with national healthcare policy and public health initiatives.
He has also been involved in healthcare legislation, including tobacco control reforms. In recognition of his contributions to medicine, he received the Merited Physician of Mongolia title in 2019, along with the Polar Star Order and the Red Banner of Labour Order.
About Dr Gevorg Tamamyan
Dr Gevorg Tamamyan, MD, MSc, PhD, DSc, FASCO, is a prospective candidate for the post of Director-General of the World Health Organization, nominated by the Republic of Botswana. He is a global leader in oncology, health systems strengthening, and international health cooperation, recognized for building bridges between countries and advancing equitable cancer care in resource-limited settings.
Dr. Tamamyan is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology at Yerevan State Medical University and CEO of the Immune Oncology Research Institute (IMMONC).
He is the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of OncoDaily, one of the world’s largest oncology media platforms, created to democratize access to reliable, independent, and evidence-based cancer information globally.
Dr. Tamamyan was elected and currently serves as President of two major international pediatric oncology organizations: the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) Asia Continental Branch, representing pediatric oncology professionals across Asia, and the Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) Group, uniting 28 countries and 110 cancer centers. He also serves as Co-Chair of the St. Jude EURO Regional Advisory Committee, encompassing 13 European countries.
At the age of 31, Dr. Tamamyan was appointed Head of the Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Armenia, where he led the consolidation of previously fragmented pediatric oncology and hematology services into a single national center. Under his leadership, the Center evolved into a regional reference point, with survival rates reaching up to 80%.
He also co-founded City of Smile, a national pediatric cancer charity that helps ensure universal coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of every child and young adult with cancer in Armenia.
Dr. Tamamyan is Chairman of the Board of the Institute of Cancer and Crisis and an adviser to the Rector of Yerevan State Medical University. He previously served as President of the Harvard Club of Armenia.
Educated and trained across seven countries in Europe, North America, and Asia, his professional journey spans frontline clinical practice, research, academic leadership, national cancer center management, global health diplomacy, and institution building.
He is the recipient of numerous international awards and distinctions, including Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO); ASCO LIFe and IDEA Awards; UICC and IARC Young Leader Awards; the 40 Under 40 in Cancer Award; the Latin American and Caribbean Society of Medical Oncology (SLACOM) Award for Global Oncology Leadership; and the Global Health Catalyst Distinguished Leader Award.
He is married and has two daughters, Charlize and Letizia.
Read more about Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan’s WHO candidacy:
Dr Gevorg Tamamyan is Nominated as a Candidate for WHO Director-General Position
Watch HRH Princess Dina Mired’s interview with Dr. Gevorg Tamamyan: The Man Who Challenged Cancer Hierarchies