GENEVA – WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyusus has proposed five measures to strengthen the global health infrastructure to pandemic-proof the world in his WHA report on “Strengthening the global architecture for health emergency preparedness, response and resilience”. The pandemic accord and amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) are part of the measure on […] Continue reading ->
A new “Zero+” version of a proposed World Health Organization pandemic accord being negotiated by member states has dropped previously strong language that conditioned use of public R&D funds to private sector commitments to price transparency and tech transfer of end products, among other measuress. However, the updated draft text, obtained by Health Policy Watch, […] Continue reading ->
The 76th World Health Assembly turned political even before formal the proceedings began, with the decision to exclude Taiwan. The island was seeking an observer status, something that it had held previously between 2009 and 2016, with the support of the United States and others. But its inclusion was strongly opposed by China which maintains […] Continue reading ->
It is often said that those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. So what, if anything, can we learn from the history of health? In this brand new season of the Global Health Matters podcast, host Garry Aslanyan takes a step back in time to look at why “history matters” […] Continue reading ->
The World Health Assembly opened its annual meeting of member states Sunday on a celebratory note marking the 75th anniversary of the World Health Organization’s foundation in 1948. Eradicating smallpox, eliminating polio in most countries worldwide, and dramatic reductions in deaths from once-deadly childhood diseases preventable by clean water, basic medicines and vaccines are among […] Continue reading ->
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for focused action to address global warming and climate change to promote health outcomes. Recommendations include concerted efforts to reduce carbon emissions, build climate-resilient and sustainable health systems and protect health from the impacts of climate change. There is also a decline in the treatment coverage for tuberculosis […] Continue reading ->
The call and response of “Yes we can, end TB” at the Multi-Stakeholder Hearing (MSH) on tuberculosis (TB) made one thing clear — the voices of the community will be heard. With negotiations of the UN Political Declaration now underway, what does the TB community expect to see? Members of the global TB community, including […] Continue reading ->
Much of this year’s WHA agenda, being held in Geneva between 21 and 30 May, should be preoccupied with pandemic preparedness and the WHO’s budget. But there are some obscure items for anti-rights conservatives to latch onto if they want to derail discussion – and there is growing appetite for such disruptions throughout all UN […] Continue reading ->
The HIV pandemic has affected over 2.3 million people in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) European Region, with nearly 300 new diagnoses made daily in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical turbulences in the region impacted the course of the HIV pandemic and the response, displacing populations, and disrupting access to care and HIV testing. […] Continue reading ->
Despite a forceful message from the US calling for its inclusion, Taiwan appears set to be shut out once more from the World Health Assembly (WHA) as Chinese diplomats continue to block chances of a personal invitation by WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus that would allow Taipei to attend as an observer. In […] Continue reading ->