Category: Development

To accomplish this, “wealthier countries and international financial institutions need to support developing countries to make these crucial investments”, said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.  In an address to the opening of the World Health Summit in Berlin, via a video message, he began by noting how poorly prepared most of the world is, for crises. The annual gathering is being hosted by… Read More

So far, 39 people have died, he reported.  Overall, there have been 64 confirmed cases, and 20 probable cases, while 14 people have recovered from the disease.  Authorities are conducting active follow-up of more than 660 contacts. “Our primary focus now is to support the Government of Uganda to rapidly control and contain this outbreak, to stop it spreading to… Read More

In his message marking World Mental Health Day, the UN chief said there were “profound” social and economic repercussions stemming from that neglect, explaining that some countries have only two mental health workers for every 100,000 people. Anxiety and depression also take a heavy financial toll, costing the global economy an estimated $1 trillion per year. Step up support “We… Read More

“Every death by suicide is a tragedy,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, who maintained the suicide prevention was “rarely a priority” in national health programmes. Ahead of World Mental Health Day on 10 October, she called for “significant investment…to tackle Africa’s growing burden of chronic diseases and non-infectious conditions – such as mental disorders – that… Read More

The Varreux Terminal, located in the capital, Port-au-Prince, is the main entry point for fuel in the country but gangs have been blocking the entrance since mid-September.  The situation has led to a fuel shortage that has forced many hospitals and health centres to close, and affected water distribution, said Ulrika Richardson, UN Deputy Special Representative in the country and… Read More

The Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) 2030 Strategy was launched at a meeting in Yerevan, Armenia, bringing together health workers, technical experts and international partners from 110 countries.  EMTs are groups of health professionals, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, support workers and logisticians. They are trained and prepared to provide immediate support during an emergency.  A stronger network  The more than 500… Read More

So far, 63 confirmed and probable cases of Ebola Virus infection have been reported, including 29 deaths; 10 infected health workers, four of whom have died; and four people who have recovered and are receiving follow-up care. “WHO has released $2 million from our Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE), and we’re…sending additional specialists, supplies, and resources,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom… Read More

“Although dementia is the seventh leading cause of death globally, dementia research accounts for less than 1.5 per cent of total health research output”, said WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan. “Sadly, we are falling behind implementing the Global action plan on the public health response to dementia 2017-25,” she continued, adding that addressing dementia comprehensively requires “research and innovation to be… Read More

The case was identified using the cholera surveillance mechanism, established by the Haitian authorities and supported by the United Nations.  It was confirmed as positive at the National Public Health Laboratory in Port-au-Prince on Sunday 2 October. Additional suspected cases are currently under investigation.  Emergency response  The UN is actively monitoring the situation and is working with national authorities to… Read More

The UN agencies have launched two publications which aim to prevent negative work situations and cultures while also offering mental health protection and support for employees.   Performance and productivity affected  “It’s time to focus on the detrimental effect work can have on our mental health,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General at WHO, which has issued global guidelines on the… Read More