Development Health Advice 

Haiti: Fuel crisis prompts appeal for humanitarian corridor amid cholera outbreak

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
Development Health Advice 

New WHO strategy aims to strengthen rapid response to health emergencies

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
Development Health Advice 

‘Worrying upsurge’ in deadly cholera, warns Tedros, in wide-ranging global health update

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
Development Health Advice 

Dementia: WHO launches blueprint to tackle generational health challenge

“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
Development Health Advice 

Haiti: UN supports Government efforts to quell cholera outbreak

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
Development Health Advice 

Time to address mental health issues in the workplace, UN agencies urge

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
Development Health Advice 

Build momentum to ‘finish the job’ and end COVID-19 pandemic, Guterres urges

Mr. Guterres celebrated rising vaccination coverage worldwide, particularly among high-risk populations, and the fact that, on average, countries have vaccinated around three-quarters of health care workers and older people. COVID-19 measures are increasingly integrated into routine health programmes, and new antiviral drugs are about to become available. Gaps remain However, gaps in coverage and protection remain, said Mr, Guterres. There… Read More
Development Health Advice 

Seven Ebola cases, one death confirmed in Uganda, WHO scales up response

So far, seven cases of the rare Sudan strain of the virus, including one death, have been confirmed in the east African country. The announcement comes two days after WHO confirmed the first new case, after six suspicious deaths were reported in Mubende district earlier this month. Forty-three contacts have been identified, and 10 people are believed to have caught… Read More
Development Health Advice 

Noncommunicable diseases now ‘top killers globally’ – UN health agency report

The report and new data portal, was launched on the sidelines of the 77th session of the General Assembly, at an event co-organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) together with Bloomberg Philanthropies. Report assets NCDs constitute one of the greatest health and development challenges of this century, according to WHO. Chief among them are cardiovascular diseases, such as heart… Read More
Development Health Advice 

New UN guide helps support perinatal mental healthcare in ‘stigma-free’ environment

Life-altering moments like pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood can be stressful for women and their partners, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). 🤰🏻 Pregnancy🤱🏾 Birth👩‍👧 Early parenthood These life altering moments can be stressful for women & their partners and might impact their #MentalHealth. 🆕 WHO guide supports maternal & child health services to detect & respond to mental… Read More