A hundred years ago, the Spanish flu infected a third of the world population, and killed more people than the two world wars combined. The World Health Organization is seeking to help the world prepare for the next pandemic, which they say, is only waiting to happen. The recent World Health Assembly agreed to ask the WHO to complete an analysis on the implications of including seasonal influenza virus and pandemic virus genetic information into its benefit-sharing mechanism to help the world face the next influenza pandemic. Separately, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) issued a study on how to handle virus genetic information, and voiced preference for publicly accessible databases for sharing this information, rather than public domain databases, as the latter raise issue of traceability of the information from originators and also from users. And a WHO official issued a call for WHO member states to become involved in activities of the CBD's Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit-sharing to ensure health priorities are put before environmental priorities on genetic resources. Continue reading ->
A report by a World Health Organization Independent High-Level Commission released today proposed six bold recommendations to address the global epidemic in chronic diseases - especially in poor nations - and strongly urged governments to take the lead in creating health protecting environments through robust laws, dialogue, clear objectives, transparency and agreed targets. Continue reading ->
Goal 3 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” Around the world, there are still children that experience malnutrition leading to stunting, low birth weight, overweight and wasting. Also, there are children who are less breastfed and mothers with anaemia. But countries at the annual World Health Assembly (WHA) last week agreed to continue work towards improving maternal, infant and young child nutrition as well as put an end to all forms of malnutrition by 2030. Continue reading ->
Some 90 percent of people in the world who need assistive technology – such as glasses, walkers, or hearing aids - cannot access it, with the worst deficiency in developing countries. Today, World Health Organization members agreed on a resolution to improve access to those technologies, with overwhelming support. The WHO is instructed to provide support to countries and prepare a global report by 2021. Member states are requested to promote innovation and find ways to reduce prices. Continue reading ->
Ten years after the adoption of a World Health Organization plan of action meant to stimulate innovation for diseases that disproportionately affect developing countries, and with very little to show for it since, delegates at the World Health Assembly this week agreed to a number of recommendations to reinvigorate the effort. How to finance the implementation of those recommendations, however, is unclear. Continue reading ->
The World Health Assembly this week agreed on a roadmap to be designed by the World Health Organization in consultation with member states to facilitate access to medicines and vaccines, including actions and activities for the period 2019-2023. If everyone agrees access to medicines and vaccines is indispensable for universal health coverage, views are still divided when it comes to intellectual property rights. The ranks of strong proponents of IP resulting in high prices are however thinning. The United States remains unshakeable, criticising compulsory licences used by countries to ensure affordable medicines are available. Continue reading ->