GENEVA — The monkeypox outbreak has spread to almost 200 cases reported by more than 20 nations outside of Africa, where the disease is endemic. But the epidemic can be contained through a quick response, World Health Organization (WHO) officials told a public briefing for member nations on Friday. With few vaccines and drugs available […] Continue reading ->
The World Health Assembly on Thursday approved a resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by 88 votes to 12 – but the 53 abstentions reflected the discomfort of many member states with a debate that polarised the global health body. Russia’s counter-resolution only garnered 15 votes including those of Belarus, Burundi and Eritrea, with 66 […] Continue reading ->
GENEVA –Russia’s war in Ukraine grabbed centre stage at the World Health Assembly Thursday as delegates prepared to take up competing draft resolutions on Ukraine’s health emergency: one denouncing Russia and supported by Turkey, Ukraine, the United States and all European Union members except for Hungary; the other co-sponsored only by Russia and Syria. Although […] Continue reading ->
Barbados recently imposed a 20% tax on sugary drinks, while Mexico, Chile and Uruguay, have introduced warning labels on food packaging to curb unhealthy eating – a key driver of obesity, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Mexico also has restricted the marketing of junk food to children, including sports sponsorships as it battles one […] Continue reading ->
GENEVA – Despite pushback Monday from many WHO member states, including the 47-member ‘Africa Group’, Loyce Pace, US Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services remains “hopeful we may reach consensus” on reforming international health emergency rules at the World Health Assembly this week. The proposal backed by Australia, […] Continue reading ->
GENEVA – Faced with a chorus of demands for accountability from member nations, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus again pledged greater efforts by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) leadership to eliminate sexual exploitation and abuse by its staff and contractors at the World Health Assembly on Wednesday. The discussion followed the recent publication of a […] Continue reading ->
The World Health Organization (WHO) doesn’t fully know what is driving the latest monkeypox outbreaks; it doesn’t know the virus’ animal reservoir nor knows what the future holds for the disease. A session at the 75th World Health Assembly that was aimed at enlightening member countries ended up highlighting the existence of knowledge gaps and […] Continue reading ->
A team of health professionals and Noma survivors called on the World Health Organization on Tuesday to list the deadly infection of the mouth and face as a neglected tropical disease (NTD) so that it can receive the attention it needs to be eradicated. “We hope that we can bring global attention to this disease […] Continue reading ->
In a groundbreaking decision on financing reform, the World Health Assembly (WHA) resolved on Tuesday that half of the world body’s budget will be derived from members’ fees by 2030. That will reduce the World Health Organization’s (WHO) massive reliance on donors. But there was less enthusiasm for revising the International Health Regulations (IHR). The […] Continue reading ->
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has been re-elected unopposed to spend another five years at the helm of the UN health agency, after receiving the World Health Assembly’s overwhelming endorsement as a health diplomat fluent in war and a pandemic. Tedros, a former Ethiopian health minister and the first African to […] Continue reading ->
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