For the first time since the 1990s, the World Health Organization has been asked by member states to update its assessment on the health impacts of nuclear war, although not without significant resistance, led by Russia and North Korea, but also including many other major nuclear states.  The resolution calling for an updated assessment of […] Continue reading ->
Several countries at the World Health Assembly (WHA) called for enforcement clauses to be included in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) code on international recruitment as wealthier countries continue to recruit health workers from poorer countries. Regions will take up discussion on how to strengthen the code, based on an expert advisory group’s assessment, and […] Continue reading ->
The 78th World Health Assembly picked up momentum Saturday as countries adopted a Nigeria-sponsored initiative to stimulate more public health spending; and  first-ever WHO resolutions recognizing rare diseases and neglected skin diseases as global equity issues. The resolution on strengthening health finance globally aims to accelerate progress towards long standing commitments on financing Universal Health Coverage.  […] Continue reading ->
In a region where war, displacement, and weak health systems fuel a deadly disease, nine African governments are trying a new approach: eliminate visceral leishmaniasis by working together. As neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) continue to strain underfunded health systems across Africa, a regional political coalition has formalised its intent to eliminate visceral leishmaniasis (VL) through […] Continue reading ->
A Nigerian Health Tech firm, Codix Bio, has been awarded a license to develop and manufacture a new generation of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) royalty-free for African consumers, using technology transferred from a South Korean firm. The deal is a breakthrough for WHO’s new Health Technology Access Programme (HTAP) and the non-profit Medicines Patent Pool […] Continue reading ->
Urgent measures are needed to curtail the rising “medicalization” of female genital mutilation (FGM) and to engage health workers to prevent the practice, according to a new guideline published by the World Health Organization (WHO). The guideline recommends professional codes of conduct that expressly prohibit health workers from performing FGM and stresses the need to […] Continue reading ->
Amid bleak global economic and development aid trends, Africa’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is piloting innovative financing solutions and doubling down on efforts to get member states to invest more domestic funds in health. A week ago, Africa CDC launched a new financing guide for member states and on Friday the […] Continue reading ->