In a few days, the 70th World Health Assembly will open its doors in Geneva with a marathon agenda, and over 4,000 registered delegates. The election of a new director general, the approval of the budget for the next biennium (2018/2019) are set to capture the attention of member states. However, many other subjects require their consideration, such as a resolution on cancer treatment costs, research and development for epidemic diseases, for new antibiotics, for medicines affecting primarily poor populations, access to medicines, and the influenza pandemic preparedness framework. Continue reading ->
The 70th World Health Assembly opening in a few days is the WHA of superlatives, according to a World Health Organization’s official. It is the longest assembly ever, with nine days of meeting, the largest number delegates, of agenda items, and of documents. It is also when the new WHO new director general will be elected, and when the WHO next budget is expected to be approved. Continue reading ->
Amid protests over the weakening of the political declaration for the UN High Level Meeting on NCDs, one huge issue was omitted from the start: oral health. As United Nations (UN) Member States navigate negotiations for the political declaration of the 2025 United Nations (UN) High-Level Meeting (HLM) on Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs), a familiar and […] Continue reading ->
The United States’ decision last Friday to reject amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) – aimed at improving the global response to disease outbreaks – is based on “inaccuracies”, according to the Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO). “We regret the US decision to reject the amendments adopted by consensus by the […] Continue reading ->
As the world observes World Zoonoses Day, it’s important to remember that human health is intimately tied to the health of animals, wild and domesticated.  Five years after COVID-19, the world remains alert to health threats that can cross over from animals to people.  Alongside growing concerns over high-profile spillovers like avian influenza, the silent […] Continue reading ->