The huge push to reach children who missed vaccinations during COVID-19 has largely paid off, reaching 18.3 million children – but plummeting aid and misinformation threaten future childhood immunisations. This is according to leaders from the vaccine alliance, Gavi, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, who reported on the “Big Catch-Up” at a media […] Continue reading ->
Although the World Health Organization (WHO) recognises comprehensive abortion care as an essential health service, countries all over the world are tightening access, inspired by the United States. But all this means is worse outcomes for women’s health There is a persistent myth that restricting abortion stops it from happening.  What restrictions really do – […] Continue reading ->
As WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visits Germany, a high stakes week for Germany’s future role in the World Health Organization agency may be unfolding in Berlin.  On Monday, Tedros began a two-day high-level visit to Germany at the invitation of the World Health Summit where he has served as a patron.  The […] Continue reading ->
Several WHO member states about to join the Executive Board have dubious human rights records, but they will shortlist Director General candidates at the Organization’s most consequential period in a generation. The World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board does not make headlines. It should. This is the body that screens Director General candidates, whittles the […] Continue reading ->
From stalled Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) negotiations to failing consensus in global climate policies, United Nations structures face a profound crisis. Diplomats are currently being forced to explore alternative governance models to bridge the disconnect between sluggish, power-driven diplomacy and the rapid, equitable action required in health and climate crises. This institutional rupture […] Continue reading ->
Global health leaders say the world needs to rethink how it approaches health, arguing that outdated systems, narrow thinking, and lack of coordination are slowing progress at a time of growing challenges. Speaking on the Global Health Matters podcast, Axel Pries, president of the World Health Summit, told host Dr Gary Aslanyan that improving health […] Continue reading ->
Final talks on the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system, the last outstanding piece of the Pandemic Agreement, are being held in Geneva this week. The Pandemic Agreement, being negotiated in Geneva, emerged to address the unacceptable inequities that defined the COVID-19 global health disaster. During this pandemic, delayed and inequitable access to vaccines may […] Continue reading ->
Over 60% of maternal deaths in 2023 took place in countries and territories experiencing conflict or institutional and social fragility, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) technical brief published on Tuesday. “In 2023, an estimated 260,000 women died from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Around 160,000 of those deaths occurred in settings experiencing […] Continue reading ->
As the mandate of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus approaches its expiration in August 2027, the high-stakes manoeuvring for the next Director-General (DG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) has intensified in the halls of Geneva and capital cities worldwide. While the official call for nominations is expected in April 2026 and no candidate has formally […] Continue reading ->