Tag: Health News

Worst-case scenario averted, but urgent action needed to meet global malaria targets New data from the World Health Organization reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted malaria services, leading to a marked increase in cases and deaths. According to WHO’s latest World malaria report, there were an estimated 241 million malaria cases and 627 000 malaria deaths worldwide in 2020. This represents… Read More

WHO welcomes the historic decision by the Gavi Alliance Board to invest in the first malaria vaccine programme. The decision secures investment in the long-awaited malaria vaccine and assures that many more children at risk will benefit from this life-saving vaccine and additional malaria prevention. The Gavi Board  approved an investment to support the malaria vaccine introduction, procurement and delivery… Read More

Trials for severe and critical patients should continue WHO has updated its living guideline on COVID-19 therapeutics to include convalescent plasma. For non-severe COVID-19 patients, WHO recommends against its use, while it should only be used within clinical trials for severe and critical COVID-19 patients. Convalescent plasma is a transfusion of blood plasma from someone who has recovered from COVID-19.… Read More

On 8-10 November 2021, Dr Naveen Rao, Senior Vice President, Health and other senior representatives from The Rockefeller Foundation joined World Health Organization (WHO) representatives to review the strategic directions of collaboration between the two Organizations. Notably they discussed support for the WHO Health Emergencies Programme and the Science Division, including the WHO Hub on for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence,… Read More

In a consensus decision aimed at protecting the world from future infectious diseases crises, the World Health Assembly today agreed to kickstart a global process to draft and negotiate a convention, agreement or other international instrument under the Constitution of the World Health Organization to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said the decision… Read More

New HPV vaccine prequalification aims to rectify gross inequities in access to lifesaving tools New R&D recommendations for artificial intelligence-based screening technologies New investments and commitments by the French government’s L’Initiative facility, FIND, University of Miami, WHO Today WHO joins advocates around the world to commemorate a landmark Day of Action for Cervical Cancer Elimination and welcome groundbreaking new initiatives… Read More

On 15 November 2021, the State of Qatar and WHO convened their first Strategic Dialogue, building on their strong partnership and their commitment to work jointly in addressing global health challenges. The overall objective of the meeting was to create a platform to facilitate regular dialogue with WHO leadership and technical experts on WHO programmes and policies. This event also… Read More

COVID-19 has had a wide-ranging impact on all areas of society, leading to setbacks in health gains and efforts to achieve universal health coverage (UHC). The diversion of health system resources to address COVID-19 care led to a protracted disruption of essential health services. New barriers to accessing health care, such as restricted movements, reduced ability to pay and fear… Read More

The World Health Organization’s new Mental Health Atlas paints a disappointing picture of a worldwide failure to provide people with the mental health services they need, at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is highlighting a growing need for mental health support. The latest edition of the Atlas, which includes data from 171 countries, provides a clear indication that the… Read More

Countries must set ambitious national climate commitments if they are to sustain a healthy and green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO COP26 Special Report on Climate Change and Health, launched today, in the lead-up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, spells out the global health community’s prescription for climate action based on a… Read More