Health chief hails ‘historic milestone’ in race to avert next pandemic

At World Health Assembly, countries agree on efforts to boost pandemic preparedness

Member countries of the UN World Health Organization (WHO), on the final day of the seventy-seventh World Health Assembly, adopted important amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR), including defining a “pandemic emergency” as well as pledging improved access to medical products and financing. These steps will help ensure comprehensive, robust systems are in place…

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Gaza: Rafah camp attack heightens focus on dwindling health resources

Gaza: Rafah camp attack heightens focus on dwindling health resources

Many of those injured suffered terrible burns, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which will require intensive treatment, electricity and high-level medical services, all of which are scarce after nearly eight months of war.  Massive medical challenge  It is just another massive challenge for all the medical teams in the enclave, WHO spokesperson Margaret…

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WHO report reveals major health disparities between European teens

WHO report reveals major health disparities between European teens

Based on information from 44 countries that engaged in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, it highlights unhealthy eating habits, increasing levels of overweight and obesity and low levels of physical activity in young people. According to WHO, each of these are “significant risk factors for a range of noncommunicable diseases including cardiovascular…

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World News in Brief: Food aid reaches Haitians, UN chief condemns attack on Slovakian leader, Russian strikes drive influx of evacuees in Ukraine

Haiti’s health system pushed to breaking point: UNICEF

There are only six out of ten hospitals which still have some operational capacity as the gang-led chaos continues across the capital, Port-au-Prince, leaving vulnerable children deprived of essential care. Mr. Maes said that the increased violence along with “mass displacement, dangerous epidemics and increasing malnutrition” has stretched the country’s health system to the limit and…

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Ukraine: humanitarian, health needs soar as Kharkiv hostilities intensify

Ukraine: humanitarian, health needs soar as Kharkiv hostilities intensify

“Relentless aerial attacks continue, prolonging and exacerbating an already dire situation,” said UN refugee agency (UNHCR), spokesperson Shabia Mantoo. “More than two years since Russia’s full-scale invasion, regular shelling and attacks continue to claim lives and destroy homes and critical infrastructure across the country.”  Ms. Mantoo noted that in the past week, more than 10,300…

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Global leaders discuss healthier future for all: Top 5 fast facts

Syria: WHO Regional Director calls for greater investment in health sector

Lives are at risk, and “the cost of inaction is simply too high”,  Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said in a statement on Saturday after concluding a five-day visit to Syria. She expressed grave concern over the complexities and challenges facing the population and humanitarian operations on the ground. “The…

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World News in Brief: Human rights in Haiti, 750,000 hit by East Africa floods, Namibia health milestone

World News in Brief: Human rights in Haiti, 750,000 hit by East Africa floods, Namibia health milestone

The experts detailed the far-reaching impacts of the violence and lawlessness that has led to chaos across the capital, Port-au=Prince, and other areas under gang control this year. “The outbreak of violence in Haiti has resulted in loss of livelihoods and food insecurity, widespread and multiple displacement, the collapse of education, breakdown of healthcare and…

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