Development Health Advice 

COVID-19 cases drop for seventh week, but deaths fall less slowly: WHO

However, while weekly cases are at their lowest since February, “deaths are not falling as quickly”, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), told journalists in Geneva.  “The number of deaths reported last week was similar to the previous week, and the global decline masks a worrying increase in cases and deaths in many countries”, he… Read More
Development Health Advice 

Landmark G7 agreement pledges 870 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, half by end-2021 

“Equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines represents the clearest pathway out of this pandemic for all of us — children included, and commitments announced by G7 members…are an important step in this direction”, the Executive Director of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Henrietta Fore, said in a statement.  Building on the momentum of the G20 Global Health Summit and the Gavi… Read More
Development Health Advice 

Counting down to Peace Day, UN chief urges: Stand up against hatred and care for planet 

As we strive to heal from the COVID-19 pandemic and reimagine a better future for people and planet, Secretary-General António Guterres introduced this year’s theme: “Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world.”  Regardless of ethnicity, location or religion, the virus attacks everyone.   Confronting this common enemy, we must remember that we are not each other’s enemy.   To be able… Read More
Development Health Advice 

Guterres: Vaccines should be considered ‘global public goods’

Speaking via videolink in London, Secretary-General António Guterres said there was no other way of defeating a virus that spreads across developing countries “like wildfire” and risks mutating, other than through equitable, mass vaccination, adding that shots need to be “available and affordable to all”.  “That is not only a matter of fairness and justice but it’s also a question of… Read More
Health Advice Lifestyle 

Dynamic WHO dashboard for island states highlights barriers and progress on climate change and health

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face particularly acute health risks as a result of the climate crisis. Warming temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, rising sea levels and extreme weather events lead to increased risks of injuries, deaths, food insecurity and the spread of vector-borne, waterborne and foodborne diseases.  Despite these growing challenges, island states are leading in the global response to… Read More
Health Advice Lifestyle 

WHO issues new guidance for research on genetically modified mosquitoes to fight malaria and other vector-borne diseases

New guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) sets essential standards to inform future research and development on genetically modified mosquitoes, particularly in addressing issues relating to ethics, safety, affordability and effectiveness. Malaria and other vector-borne diseases, including dengue and Zika, affect millions globally. More than 400 000 people a year die from malaria alone. If proven safe, effective and… Read More
Health Advice Lifestyle 

World Health Assembly to focus on ending COVID-19 pandemic and preparing for next one

In a year when COVID-19 threatens the health and well-being of everyone on the planet, the seventy-fourth session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) will stress the urgency of ending the current pandemic and preventing the next one by building a healthier, safer and fairer world. The Health Assembly is WHO’s highest decision-making body and is attended by delegations from all… Read More
Health Advice Lifestyle 

New international expert panel to address the emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases

International organizations have come together to launch a new One Health High-Level Expert Panel to improve understanding of how diseases with the potential to trigger pandemics, emerge and spread. The panel will advise four international organizations – the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE); the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP);… Read More
Health Advice Lifestyle 

G20 leaders boost support of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator but urgent and immediate action is needed to maintain momentum

World leaders today met at the Global Health Summit, co-hosted by the European Commission and Italy as part of its G20 presidency, to adopt an agenda to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, and develop and endorse a Rome Declaration of principles, at a time when the virus is surging and spreading uncontrollably in many parts of the world. With nine people… Read More
Health Advice Lifestyle 

WHO and Switzerland launch global BioHub for pathogen storage, sharing and analysis

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Swiss Confederation today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch the first WHO BioHub Facility as part of the WHO BioHub System, which was announced in November 2020. This facility will enhance the rapid sharing of viruses and other pathogens between laboratories and partners globally. Based in Spiez, Switzerland, the facility will serve… Read More
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