Pandemic Talks: Europe is Blocking Health Equity – And It Knows It 23/03/2026 Guilherme Faviero & Nithin Ramakrishnan Final talks on the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system, the last outstanding piece of the Pandemic Agreement, are being held in Geneva this week. The Pandemic Agreement, being negotiated in Geneva, emerged to address the unacceptable inequities that defined the COVID-19 global health disaster. During this pandemic, delayed and inequitable access to vaccines may […] Continue reading -> Attacks on Healthcare: Devastating New Norm as Hotspots Like Sudan Are Overlooked 20/03/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The year 2025 saw significant declines in the number of attacks on healthcare worldwide asa compared to 2024, but events still remain at record high levels in comparison to previous years, said a leading civil society group that tracks incidents last week in Geneva. This grim reality took centre stage at a seminar organized by […] Continue reading -> Middle East Conflict Set to Drive Up Food and Medicine Costs, Exacerbate Hunger 18/03/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher Following Iranian missile attacks on Dubai, a major global logistics and humanitarian hub, the World Health Organization is struggling to revive the traffic of medicines and health care supplies in and around the Middle East and African regions most served by the hubs, a WHO official said on Wednesday. “We have managed to do a […] Continue reading -> Europe is Failing to Curb Tobacco Use – Especially in Women 28/02/2026 Kerry Cullinan Europe is failing to curb tobacco use – particularly in women and girls – and will have the world’s highest prevalence by 2030, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) European region revealed this week. Of the region’s 53 states, tobacco use is highest in Serbia, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Montenegro – all exceeding 30% prevalence in […] Continue reading -> Want to Become the Next WHO Director-General? Get in Line 13/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen, Elaine Ruth Fletcher & Editorial team As the mandate of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus approaches its expiration in August 2027, the high-stakes manoeuvring for the next Director-General (DG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) has intensified in the halls of Geneva and capital cities worldwide. While the official call for nominations is expected in April 2026 and no candidate has formally […] Continue reading -> WHO Executive Board Adopts New Efficiency Measures But Can They Stick? 09/02/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher After fits, starts, hours of back room negotiations and hesitations, the closing day of WHO’s Executive Board session Friday saw agreement on a number of small – but potentially meaningful – efficiency measures aimed at saving booth member states and the financially-strapped agency a time and money in preparing for and responding to member state […] Continue reading -> Flagship WHO Rehabilitation Report Delayed as States Demand Metrics for War and Trauma 05/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The publication of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) first “Global Status Report on Rehabilitation” has been effectively paused after the Executive Board concluded that the proposed methodology for measuring progress failed to capture the complex realities of health systems, particularly those in conflict zones. In a politically charged debate on Thursday, member states argued that […] Continue reading -> WHO Executive Board In Heated Debate Over Gaza Health Crisis as Israeli Amendment Fails 05/02/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher A contentious debate at the World Health Organization’s Executive Board exposed the continued deep divisions between Israel and most other member states over the health situation in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territory, with delegates trading starkly different assessments of humanitarian conditions, access to aid, and the reliability of WHO reporting. Saudi Arabia’s delegate, speaking […] Continue reading -> As WHO Debates Global AI Regulation, States Clash Over ‘Data Sovereignty’ 05/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen A stark debate over who owns the data in the future of AI and digital health emerged at the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board on Wednesday. Low and middle-income countries warned that the rapid deployment of new technologies risks accelerating data extraction and increasing inequality, cautioning that – without strict AI governance, sustainable financing […] Continue reading -> Conflicts and Vaccine Hesitancy Undermine Global Immunization Efforts 04/02/2026 Disha Shetty Ongoing conflicts and vaccine hesitancy are undermining efforts to immunize all children, according to a report tabled at the World Health Organization’s Executive Board meeting. Over 120 million people were displaced by conflicts in 2024 alone, according to the WHO. Countries will have to put in significant efforts to achieve the 2030 target of averting […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Attacks on Healthcare: Devastating New Norm as Hotspots Like Sudan Are Overlooked 20/03/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The year 2025 saw significant declines in the number of attacks on healthcare worldwide asa compared to 2024, but events still remain at record high levels in comparison to previous years, said a leading civil society group that tracks incidents last week in Geneva. This grim reality took centre stage at a seminar organized by […] Continue reading -> Middle East Conflict Set to Drive Up Food and Medicine Costs, Exacerbate Hunger 18/03/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher Following Iranian missile attacks on Dubai, a major global logistics and humanitarian hub, the World Health Organization is struggling to revive the traffic of medicines and health care supplies in and around the Middle East and African regions most served by the hubs, a WHO official said on Wednesday. “We have managed to do a […] Continue reading -> Europe is Failing to Curb Tobacco Use – Especially in Women 28/02/2026 Kerry Cullinan Europe is failing to curb tobacco use – particularly in women and girls – and will have the world’s highest prevalence by 2030, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) European region revealed this week. Of the region’s 53 states, tobacco use is highest in Serbia, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Montenegro – all exceeding 30% prevalence in […] Continue reading -> Want to Become the Next WHO Director-General? Get in Line 13/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen, Elaine Ruth Fletcher & Editorial team As the mandate of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus approaches its expiration in August 2027, the high-stakes manoeuvring for the next Director-General (DG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) has intensified in the halls of Geneva and capital cities worldwide. While the official call for nominations is expected in April 2026 and no candidate has formally […] Continue reading -> WHO Executive Board Adopts New Efficiency Measures But Can They Stick? 09/02/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher After fits, starts, hours of back room negotiations and hesitations, the closing day of WHO’s Executive Board session Friday saw agreement on a number of small – but potentially meaningful – efficiency measures aimed at saving booth member states and the financially-strapped agency a time and money in preparing for and responding to member state […] Continue reading -> Flagship WHO Rehabilitation Report Delayed as States Demand Metrics for War and Trauma 05/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The publication of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) first “Global Status Report on Rehabilitation” has been effectively paused after the Executive Board concluded that the proposed methodology for measuring progress failed to capture the complex realities of health systems, particularly those in conflict zones. In a politically charged debate on Thursday, member states argued that […] Continue reading -> WHO Executive Board In Heated Debate Over Gaza Health Crisis as Israeli Amendment Fails 05/02/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher A contentious debate at the World Health Organization’s Executive Board exposed the continued deep divisions between Israel and most other member states over the health situation in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territory, with delegates trading starkly different assessments of humanitarian conditions, access to aid, and the reliability of WHO reporting. Saudi Arabia’s delegate, speaking […] Continue reading -> As WHO Debates Global AI Regulation, States Clash Over ‘Data Sovereignty’ 05/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen A stark debate over who owns the data in the future of AI and digital health emerged at the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board on Wednesday. Low and middle-income countries warned that the rapid deployment of new technologies risks accelerating data extraction and increasing inequality, cautioning that – without strict AI governance, sustainable financing […] Continue reading -> Conflicts and Vaccine Hesitancy Undermine Global Immunization Efforts 04/02/2026 Disha Shetty Ongoing conflicts and vaccine hesitancy are undermining efforts to immunize all children, according to a report tabled at the World Health Organization’s Executive Board meeting. Over 120 million people were displaced by conflicts in 2024 alone, according to the WHO. Countries will have to put in significant efforts to achieve the 2030 target of averting […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Middle East Conflict Set to Drive Up Food and Medicine Costs, Exacerbate Hunger 18/03/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher Following Iranian missile attacks on Dubai, a major global logistics and humanitarian hub, the World Health Organization is struggling to revive the traffic of medicines and health care supplies in and around the Middle East and African regions most served by the hubs, a WHO official said on Wednesday. “We have managed to do a […] Continue reading -> Europe is Failing to Curb Tobacco Use – Especially in Women 28/02/2026 Kerry Cullinan Europe is failing to curb tobacco use – particularly in women and girls – and will have the world’s highest prevalence by 2030, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) European region revealed this week. Of the region’s 53 states, tobacco use is highest in Serbia, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Montenegro – all exceeding 30% prevalence in […] Continue reading -> Want to Become the Next WHO Director-General? Get in Line 13/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen, Elaine Ruth Fletcher & Editorial team As the mandate of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus approaches its expiration in August 2027, the high-stakes manoeuvring for the next Director-General (DG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) has intensified in the halls of Geneva and capital cities worldwide. While the official call for nominations is expected in April 2026 and no candidate has formally […] Continue reading -> WHO Executive Board Adopts New Efficiency Measures But Can They Stick? 09/02/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher After fits, starts, hours of back room negotiations and hesitations, the closing day of WHO’s Executive Board session Friday saw agreement on a number of small – but potentially meaningful – efficiency measures aimed at saving booth member states and the financially-strapped agency a time and money in preparing for and responding to member state […] Continue reading -> Flagship WHO Rehabilitation Report Delayed as States Demand Metrics for War and Trauma 05/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The publication of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) first “Global Status Report on Rehabilitation” has been effectively paused after the Executive Board concluded that the proposed methodology for measuring progress failed to capture the complex realities of health systems, particularly those in conflict zones. In a politically charged debate on Thursday, member states argued that […] Continue reading -> WHO Executive Board In Heated Debate Over Gaza Health Crisis as Israeli Amendment Fails 05/02/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher A contentious debate at the World Health Organization’s Executive Board exposed the continued deep divisions between Israel and most other member states over the health situation in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territory, with delegates trading starkly different assessments of humanitarian conditions, access to aid, and the reliability of WHO reporting. Saudi Arabia’s delegate, speaking […] Continue reading -> As WHO Debates Global AI Regulation, States Clash Over ‘Data Sovereignty’ 05/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen A stark debate over who owns the data in the future of AI and digital health emerged at the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board on Wednesday. Low and middle-income countries warned that the rapid deployment of new technologies risks accelerating data extraction and increasing inequality, cautioning that – without strict AI governance, sustainable financing […] Continue reading -> Conflicts and Vaccine Hesitancy Undermine Global Immunization Efforts 04/02/2026 Disha Shetty Ongoing conflicts and vaccine hesitancy are undermining efforts to immunize all children, according to a report tabled at the World Health Organization’s Executive Board meeting. Over 120 million people were displaced by conflicts in 2024 alone, according to the WHO. Countries will have to put in significant efforts to achieve the 2030 target of averting […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Europe is Failing to Curb Tobacco Use – Especially in Women 28/02/2026 Kerry Cullinan Europe is failing to curb tobacco use – particularly in women and girls – and will have the world’s highest prevalence by 2030, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) European region revealed this week. Of the region’s 53 states, tobacco use is highest in Serbia, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Montenegro – all exceeding 30% prevalence in […] Continue reading -> Want to Become the Next WHO Director-General? Get in Line 13/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen, Elaine Ruth Fletcher & Editorial team As the mandate of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus approaches its expiration in August 2027, the high-stakes manoeuvring for the next Director-General (DG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) has intensified in the halls of Geneva and capital cities worldwide. While the official call for nominations is expected in April 2026 and no candidate has formally […] Continue reading -> WHO Executive Board Adopts New Efficiency Measures But Can They Stick? 09/02/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher After fits, starts, hours of back room negotiations and hesitations, the closing day of WHO’s Executive Board session Friday saw agreement on a number of small – but potentially meaningful – efficiency measures aimed at saving booth member states and the financially-strapped agency a time and money in preparing for and responding to member state […] Continue reading -> Flagship WHO Rehabilitation Report Delayed as States Demand Metrics for War and Trauma 05/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The publication of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) first “Global Status Report on Rehabilitation” has been effectively paused after the Executive Board concluded that the proposed methodology for measuring progress failed to capture the complex realities of health systems, particularly those in conflict zones. In a politically charged debate on Thursday, member states argued that […] Continue reading -> WHO Executive Board In Heated Debate Over Gaza Health Crisis as Israeli Amendment Fails 05/02/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher A contentious debate at the World Health Organization’s Executive Board exposed the continued deep divisions between Israel and most other member states over the health situation in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territory, with delegates trading starkly different assessments of humanitarian conditions, access to aid, and the reliability of WHO reporting. Saudi Arabia’s delegate, speaking […] Continue reading -> As WHO Debates Global AI Regulation, States Clash Over ‘Data Sovereignty’ 05/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen A stark debate over who owns the data in the future of AI and digital health emerged at the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board on Wednesday. Low and middle-income countries warned that the rapid deployment of new technologies risks accelerating data extraction and increasing inequality, cautioning that – without strict AI governance, sustainable financing […] Continue reading -> Conflicts and Vaccine Hesitancy Undermine Global Immunization Efforts 04/02/2026 Disha Shetty Ongoing conflicts and vaccine hesitancy are undermining efforts to immunize all children, according to a report tabled at the World Health Organization’s Executive Board meeting. Over 120 million people were displaced by conflicts in 2024 alone, according to the WHO. Countries will have to put in significant efforts to achieve the 2030 target of averting […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Want to Become the Next WHO Director-General? Get in Line 13/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen, Elaine Ruth Fletcher & Editorial team As the mandate of Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus approaches its expiration in August 2027, the high-stakes manoeuvring for the next Director-General (DG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) has intensified in the halls of Geneva and capital cities worldwide. While the official call for nominations is expected in April 2026 and no candidate has formally […] Continue reading -> WHO Executive Board Adopts New Efficiency Measures But Can They Stick? 09/02/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher After fits, starts, hours of back room negotiations and hesitations, the closing day of WHO’s Executive Board session Friday saw agreement on a number of small – but potentially meaningful – efficiency measures aimed at saving booth member states and the financially-strapped agency a time and money in preparing for and responding to member state […] Continue reading -> Flagship WHO Rehabilitation Report Delayed as States Demand Metrics for War and Trauma 05/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The publication of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) first “Global Status Report on Rehabilitation” has been effectively paused after the Executive Board concluded that the proposed methodology for measuring progress failed to capture the complex realities of health systems, particularly those in conflict zones. In a politically charged debate on Thursday, member states argued that […] Continue reading -> WHO Executive Board In Heated Debate Over Gaza Health Crisis as Israeli Amendment Fails 05/02/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher A contentious debate at the World Health Organization’s Executive Board exposed the continued deep divisions between Israel and most other member states over the health situation in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territory, with delegates trading starkly different assessments of humanitarian conditions, access to aid, and the reliability of WHO reporting. Saudi Arabia’s delegate, speaking […] Continue reading -> As WHO Debates Global AI Regulation, States Clash Over ‘Data Sovereignty’ 05/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen A stark debate over who owns the data in the future of AI and digital health emerged at the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board on Wednesday. Low and middle-income countries warned that the rapid deployment of new technologies risks accelerating data extraction and increasing inequality, cautioning that – without strict AI governance, sustainable financing […] Continue reading -> Conflicts and Vaccine Hesitancy Undermine Global Immunization Efforts 04/02/2026 Disha Shetty Ongoing conflicts and vaccine hesitancy are undermining efforts to immunize all children, according to a report tabled at the World Health Organization’s Executive Board meeting. Over 120 million people were displaced by conflicts in 2024 alone, according to the WHO. Countries will have to put in significant efforts to achieve the 2030 target of averting […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
WHO Executive Board Adopts New Efficiency Measures But Can They Stick? 09/02/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher After fits, starts, hours of back room negotiations and hesitations, the closing day of WHO’s Executive Board session Friday saw agreement on a number of small – but potentially meaningful – efficiency measures aimed at saving booth member states and the financially-strapped agency a time and money in preparing for and responding to member state […] Continue reading -> Flagship WHO Rehabilitation Report Delayed as States Demand Metrics for War and Trauma 05/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The publication of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) first “Global Status Report on Rehabilitation” has been effectively paused after the Executive Board concluded that the proposed methodology for measuring progress failed to capture the complex realities of health systems, particularly those in conflict zones. In a politically charged debate on Thursday, member states argued that […] Continue reading -> WHO Executive Board In Heated Debate Over Gaza Health Crisis as Israeli Amendment Fails 05/02/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher A contentious debate at the World Health Organization’s Executive Board exposed the continued deep divisions between Israel and most other member states over the health situation in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territory, with delegates trading starkly different assessments of humanitarian conditions, access to aid, and the reliability of WHO reporting. Saudi Arabia’s delegate, speaking […] Continue reading -> As WHO Debates Global AI Regulation, States Clash Over ‘Data Sovereignty’ 05/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen A stark debate over who owns the data in the future of AI and digital health emerged at the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board on Wednesday. Low and middle-income countries warned that the rapid deployment of new technologies risks accelerating data extraction and increasing inequality, cautioning that – without strict AI governance, sustainable financing […] Continue reading -> Conflicts and Vaccine Hesitancy Undermine Global Immunization Efforts 04/02/2026 Disha Shetty Ongoing conflicts and vaccine hesitancy are undermining efforts to immunize all children, according to a report tabled at the World Health Organization’s Executive Board meeting. Over 120 million people were displaced by conflicts in 2024 alone, according to the WHO. Countries will have to put in significant efforts to achieve the 2030 target of averting […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Flagship WHO Rehabilitation Report Delayed as States Demand Metrics for War and Trauma 05/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen The publication of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) first “Global Status Report on Rehabilitation” has been effectively paused after the Executive Board concluded that the proposed methodology for measuring progress failed to capture the complex realities of health systems, particularly those in conflict zones. In a politically charged debate on Thursday, member states argued that […] Continue reading -> WHO Executive Board In Heated Debate Over Gaza Health Crisis as Israeli Amendment Fails 05/02/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher A contentious debate at the World Health Organization’s Executive Board exposed the continued deep divisions between Israel and most other member states over the health situation in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territory, with delegates trading starkly different assessments of humanitarian conditions, access to aid, and the reliability of WHO reporting. Saudi Arabia’s delegate, speaking […] Continue reading -> As WHO Debates Global AI Regulation, States Clash Over ‘Data Sovereignty’ 05/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen A stark debate over who owns the data in the future of AI and digital health emerged at the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board on Wednesday. Low and middle-income countries warned that the rapid deployment of new technologies risks accelerating data extraction and increasing inequality, cautioning that – without strict AI governance, sustainable financing […] Continue reading -> Conflicts and Vaccine Hesitancy Undermine Global Immunization Efforts 04/02/2026 Disha Shetty Ongoing conflicts and vaccine hesitancy are undermining efforts to immunize all children, according to a report tabled at the World Health Organization’s Executive Board meeting. Over 120 million people were displaced by conflicts in 2024 alone, according to the WHO. Countries will have to put in significant efforts to achieve the 2030 target of averting […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
WHO Executive Board In Heated Debate Over Gaza Health Crisis as Israeli Amendment Fails 05/02/2026 Elaine Ruth Fletcher A contentious debate at the World Health Organization’s Executive Board exposed the continued deep divisions between Israel and most other member states over the health situation in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territory, with delegates trading starkly different assessments of humanitarian conditions, access to aid, and the reliability of WHO reporting. Saudi Arabia’s delegate, speaking […] Continue reading -> As WHO Debates Global AI Regulation, States Clash Over ‘Data Sovereignty’ 05/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen A stark debate over who owns the data in the future of AI and digital health emerged at the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board on Wednesday. Low and middle-income countries warned that the rapid deployment of new technologies risks accelerating data extraction and increasing inequality, cautioning that – without strict AI governance, sustainable financing […] Continue reading -> Conflicts and Vaccine Hesitancy Undermine Global Immunization Efforts 04/02/2026 Disha Shetty Ongoing conflicts and vaccine hesitancy are undermining efforts to immunize all children, according to a report tabled at the World Health Organization’s Executive Board meeting. Over 120 million people were displaced by conflicts in 2024 alone, according to the WHO. Countries will have to put in significant efforts to achieve the 2030 target of averting […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
As WHO Debates Global AI Regulation, States Clash Over ‘Data Sovereignty’ 05/02/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen A stark debate over who owns the data in the future of AI and digital health emerged at the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board on Wednesday. Low and middle-income countries warned that the rapid deployment of new technologies risks accelerating data extraction and increasing inequality, cautioning that – without strict AI governance, sustainable financing […] Continue reading -> Conflicts and Vaccine Hesitancy Undermine Global Immunization Efforts 04/02/2026 Disha Shetty Ongoing conflicts and vaccine hesitancy are undermining efforts to immunize all children, according to a report tabled at the World Health Organization’s Executive Board meeting. Over 120 million people were displaced by conflicts in 2024 alone, according to the WHO. Countries will have to put in significant efforts to achieve the 2030 target of averting […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Conflicts and Vaccine Hesitancy Undermine Global Immunization Efforts 04/02/2026 Disha Shetty Ongoing conflicts and vaccine hesitancy are undermining efforts to immunize all children, according to a report tabled at the World Health Organization’s Executive Board meeting. Over 120 million people were displaced by conflicts in 2024 alone, according to the WHO. Countries will have to put in significant efforts to achieve the 2030 target of averting […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts