United Nations member states meet in New York on Monday and Tuesday (26-27 June) to discuss the latest draft of the Political Declaration on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response, ahead of the high-level meeting in September. The 58-page behemoth compilation draft sent to member states this week is a mass of red, indicating country additions […] Continue reading ->
Three multilateral development banks and the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the launch of an investment platform on Thursday aimed at supporting low and middle-income countries to build their primary healthcare (PHC) services via grants and concessional loans. PHC is widely recognised as the most effective way to improve health and well-being, and the recent […] Continue reading ->
The European Union’s proposals to strengthen the pharmaceutical ecosystem are not ambitious enough to address health inequities The recent meeting of the European Union’s (EU) Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council on 13 June, was an opportunity for Health Ministers make proposals to strengthen the pharmaceutical ecosystem in support of competitiveness and equitable […] Continue reading ->
Thirty countries signed a political declaration at an international meeting in Morocco last week calling for the health of refugees and migrants to be included in national health systems and universal health coverage. A total of 50 UN member and observer states attended the talks. The Rabat Declaration, signed on Friday, is the first official […] Continue reading ->
Eight social media influencers were selected earlier this week as winners of the UniteHealth Social Media Awards, showcasing individuals and organisations who used social media to strengthen collective understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic and evidence-based responses. The winners represent eight countries – nominees were recommended from more than 60 countries – and cover six categories […] Continue reading ->
For years, malaria has ruled mercilessly in certain regions of the world. Especially in Africa. Yet over the past decade, despite the absence of a malaria vaccine, one anti-malarial strategy sought to make a difference: more than 700 million doses of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) were distributed to young children, globally. The evidence is now […] Continue reading ->
The burgeoning health issues of small island developing states – which are on the front lines of climate change, but also awash in handguns and ultra-processed food imports – is the focus of a high level ministerial meeting taking place in the Caribbean island of Barbados today and tomorrow. The SIDS Ministerial Conference on NCDs […] Continue reading ->
International vaccine alliance Gavi is on track to immunize 300 million more children by 2025 despite setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it announced on Tuesday. “Despite the huge strain placed on countries’ health systems by the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re on or ahead of schedule on eight of the 11 key commitments that we made […] Continue reading ->
There have been calls for abortion law reforms in the UK after a woman was sentenced to 28 months in prison on Monday for carrying out an abortion after the legal term limit. The 44-year-old mother of three was sentenced under a law passed in 1861 that carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, sparking […] Continue reading ->
Member states have been given nine days to comment on the ‘Zero draft of the Political Declaration on Pandemic Preparedness and Response, due to be adopted at the United Nations (UN) High-Level Meeting (HLM) on 20 September – with insiders describing the draft as “underwhelming”. The HLM is essential for boosting waning political commitment to […] Continue reading ->