Three leading Geneva-based non-profit organisations involved in the research and development (R&D) of “effective, affordable, and life-saving medicines” are pooling resources to address the growing unmet needs of the world’s most vulnerable patients. The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP), and Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) announced […] Continue reading ->
A rare and deadly strain of the Ebola virus is spreading rapidly through a region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that has never previously experienced the disease, pushing suspected cases past 1,000 this week amid severe logistical hurdles and mounting community resistance. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo version of the virus, […] Continue reading ->
A stiffly-worded resolution approved this week by World Health Organization member states condemned the “wanton” destruction of Gaza’s health facilities and “extreme violence of the illegal Israeli settlers.” The decision called on Israel to ensure humanitarian access to Gaza of medicines, fuel, and other essentials, refrain from further destruction of food production and water supplies, […] Continue reading ->
The UN General Assembly voted 141-8 to endorse a landmark International Court of Justice opinion finding that states are bound under international law to curb greenhouse gas emissions driving the climate crisis and protect states most affected by its fallout. “Climate change is an unprecedented challenge of civilisational proportions,” the resolution states. “The well-being of […] Continue reading ->
The world is in the last stretch of polio eradication, but closing this gap will require political commitment, the World Health Organization (WHO) told member states at the ongoing 79th session of the World Health Assembly (WHA). Polio virus has shown resurgence in conflict-hit or hard-to-reach areas like northern Yemen, Gaza, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Conflict […] Continue reading ->
The African region made an impassioned appeal for global funding to be restored for malaria elimination at the World Health Assembly on Wednesday. Drastic aid cuts in the past 18 months, particularly by the United States, have had a dramatic effect on malaria efforts – particularly as they coincide with growing drug resistance. Nigeria, speaking […] Continue reading ->
All World Health Organization (WHO) member states supported the extension of talks on the last outstanding piece of the Pandemic Agreement, the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex, at the World Health Assembly’s (WHA) Committee A on Monday. A draft PABS annex was due to have been presented to the WHA for approval, but instead, […] Continue reading ->
The world is on course to miss every one of the 52 health-related Sustainable Development Goal targets by 2030, the World Health Organization has warned, as ministers from its 194 member states gather in Geneva for an assembly tasked with reversing that trajectory. With malaria cases rising, maternal deaths still occurring at nearly three times […] Continue reading ->
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on governments to strictly regulate nicotine pouches to prevent an imminent epidemic among vulnerable adolescents. These highly addictive products threaten to dismantle decades of global progress in tobacco control if left completely unchecked, health officials warn. Faced with declining cigarette sales, tobacco companies continuously release new product lines, […] Continue reading ->
This week’s announcement of BioNTech factory closures in Germany marks an end to the country’s pandemic-era COVID-19 vaccine production boom. The Mainz-based pioneer announced that it will manufacture its final batches of the vaccine domestically later this year, transferring all future production to its American partner, Pfizer. This strategic retreat from Germany – which includes […] Continue reading ->