Alarming Ebola Spread Raises Question of Viral Mutation 07/08/2026 Kerry Cullinan Over 4,000 Ebola Bundibugyo cases and 1,800 deaths have been recorded so far in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – numbers so alarming that health experts intend to research whether the virus is mutating to become more infectious. This was revealed by Dr Jean Kaseya, the Director General of Africa Centres for Disease Control […] Continue reading -> EXCLUSIVE: Here is the ‘Final Text’ of UN Political Declaration on Pandemics – Although its Adoption is Far From Guaranteed 06/08/2026 Kerry Cullinan United Nations member states are almost certain to break the silence on the final draft of the Political Declaration on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR) that was sent to them recently– but likely for all the wrong reasons. Armenia and Rwanda, the co-facilitators of the declaration negotiations, put the “final” text of the declaration […] Continue reading -> First WHO Regional Director Takes Leave To Run for Director-General 04/08/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Eastern Mediterranean Regional Director Dr Hanan Balkhy will take immediate leave effective Tuesday to formally launch her campaign in the WHO Director-General Election, according to an internal notice from DG Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus seen by Health Policy Watch. Balkhy becomes the first serving regional director required to take leave after Tedros issued newly tightened […] Continue reading -> Adjusting to a Post-PEPFAR World 30/07/2026 Kerry Cullinan RIO DE JANEIRO – Zambia is hopeful that it can reach an agreement with the United States to salvage funds for its HIV programme, but South Africa remains frozen out of any new US funding for its HIV programme, government officials told journalists at a media briefing at the International AIDS Conference on Wednesday. Last […] Continue reading -> EXCLUSIVE: WHO Regional Directors Running for Director-General Must Take Leave for Campaign 28/07/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen In a first, WHO Regional Directors must take a leave of absence to run for the top job, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed to Health Policy Watch on Monday. This sweeping election reform closes a crucial loophole in the ongoing Director-General election process, aiming to curb shadow campaigns just as the first candidates officially […] Continue reading -> US Drives 25% Plunge in HIV Funding in 2025 27/07/2026 Kerry Cullinan RIO DE JANEIRO – Donor funding for HIV dropped by 25% in 2025 – a staggering drop of $2.1 billion – driven by the United States slashing its funding, according to analyses by KFF and the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). This is the largest single-year drop ever, reducing funds to 2007 levels, according […] Continue reading -> In India, Cancer Is Increasingly Costing Survivors Their Livelihoods 23/07/2026 Arsalan Bukhari & Mehrunnisa Maryam Life was normal for 27-year-old Delhi-based lawyer Deeba Fariyal until six years ago when she was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare soft-tissue cancer that typically affects young adults. Since then, she has endured six relapses, leaving her with few treatment options. All the treatments have stopped working,” she said. “My cancer is one of […] Continue reading -> France Passes Strict Youth Social Media Ban But New Law Lacks Strong Enforcement Mechanism 22/07/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen France has adopted a strict youth social media ban for minors under 15, taking effect in September. But major enforcement hurdles remain, as lawmakers stripped the bill of direct platform sanctions to avoid clashing with European Union rules. The law also faces a constitutional review over the fundamental rights of children and parents. Minors under […] Continue reading -> Pandemic Talks: What Are The Two Models for Sharing Pathogens? 20/07/2026 Kerry Cullinan Two practical – and contrary – proposals were tabled at pandemic talks last week, detailing how information about dangerous pathogens should be shared. Health Policy Watch is sharing the two options – Africa’s Federated Model and the European Union’s Hybrid Model – to enable all interested parties to interrogate them before the next round of talks from 14-18 […] Continue reading -> Unitaid’s Opaque Leadership Search Advances Amid Plunging Budgets, Calls for Reform 17/07/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Unitaid is quietly searching for its next leader behind closed doors amidst growing demands for transparency. Whoever takes the helm of the market-shaping agency will inherit an organisation that faces acute financial shortfalls and mounting pressure for institutional reform. As Unitaid celebrates its 20th anniversary, severe cuts to the agency’s funding threaten to disrupt the […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
EXCLUSIVE: Here is the ‘Final Text’ of UN Political Declaration on Pandemics – Although its Adoption is Far From Guaranteed 06/08/2026 Kerry Cullinan United Nations member states are almost certain to break the silence on the final draft of the Political Declaration on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR) that was sent to them recently– but likely for all the wrong reasons. Armenia and Rwanda, the co-facilitators of the declaration negotiations, put the “final” text of the declaration […] Continue reading -> First WHO Regional Director Takes Leave To Run for Director-General 04/08/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Eastern Mediterranean Regional Director Dr Hanan Balkhy will take immediate leave effective Tuesday to formally launch her campaign in the WHO Director-General Election, according to an internal notice from DG Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus seen by Health Policy Watch. Balkhy becomes the first serving regional director required to take leave after Tedros issued newly tightened […] Continue reading -> Adjusting to a Post-PEPFAR World 30/07/2026 Kerry Cullinan RIO DE JANEIRO – Zambia is hopeful that it can reach an agreement with the United States to salvage funds for its HIV programme, but South Africa remains frozen out of any new US funding for its HIV programme, government officials told journalists at a media briefing at the International AIDS Conference on Wednesday. Last […] Continue reading -> EXCLUSIVE: WHO Regional Directors Running for Director-General Must Take Leave for Campaign 28/07/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen In a first, WHO Regional Directors must take a leave of absence to run for the top job, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed to Health Policy Watch on Monday. This sweeping election reform closes a crucial loophole in the ongoing Director-General election process, aiming to curb shadow campaigns just as the first candidates officially […] Continue reading -> US Drives 25% Plunge in HIV Funding in 2025 27/07/2026 Kerry Cullinan RIO DE JANEIRO – Donor funding for HIV dropped by 25% in 2025 – a staggering drop of $2.1 billion – driven by the United States slashing its funding, according to analyses by KFF and the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). This is the largest single-year drop ever, reducing funds to 2007 levels, according […] Continue reading -> In India, Cancer Is Increasingly Costing Survivors Their Livelihoods 23/07/2026 Arsalan Bukhari & Mehrunnisa Maryam Life was normal for 27-year-old Delhi-based lawyer Deeba Fariyal until six years ago when she was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare soft-tissue cancer that typically affects young adults. Since then, she has endured six relapses, leaving her with few treatment options. All the treatments have stopped working,” she said. “My cancer is one of […] Continue reading -> France Passes Strict Youth Social Media Ban But New Law Lacks Strong Enforcement Mechanism 22/07/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen France has adopted a strict youth social media ban for minors under 15, taking effect in September. But major enforcement hurdles remain, as lawmakers stripped the bill of direct platform sanctions to avoid clashing with European Union rules. The law also faces a constitutional review over the fundamental rights of children and parents. Minors under […] Continue reading -> Pandemic Talks: What Are The Two Models for Sharing Pathogens? 20/07/2026 Kerry Cullinan Two practical – and contrary – proposals were tabled at pandemic talks last week, detailing how information about dangerous pathogens should be shared. Health Policy Watch is sharing the two options – Africa’s Federated Model and the European Union’s Hybrid Model – to enable all interested parties to interrogate them before the next round of talks from 14-18 […] Continue reading -> Unitaid’s Opaque Leadership Search Advances Amid Plunging Budgets, Calls for Reform 17/07/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Unitaid is quietly searching for its next leader behind closed doors amidst growing demands for transparency. Whoever takes the helm of the market-shaping agency will inherit an organisation that faces acute financial shortfalls and mounting pressure for institutional reform. As Unitaid celebrates its 20th anniversary, severe cuts to the agency’s funding threaten to disrupt the […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
First WHO Regional Director Takes Leave To Run for Director-General 04/08/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Eastern Mediterranean Regional Director Dr Hanan Balkhy will take immediate leave effective Tuesday to formally launch her campaign in the WHO Director-General Election, according to an internal notice from DG Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus seen by Health Policy Watch. Balkhy becomes the first serving regional director required to take leave after Tedros issued newly tightened […] Continue reading -> Adjusting to a Post-PEPFAR World 30/07/2026 Kerry Cullinan RIO DE JANEIRO – Zambia is hopeful that it can reach an agreement with the United States to salvage funds for its HIV programme, but South Africa remains frozen out of any new US funding for its HIV programme, government officials told journalists at a media briefing at the International AIDS Conference on Wednesday. Last […] Continue reading -> EXCLUSIVE: WHO Regional Directors Running for Director-General Must Take Leave for Campaign 28/07/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen In a first, WHO Regional Directors must take a leave of absence to run for the top job, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed to Health Policy Watch on Monday. This sweeping election reform closes a crucial loophole in the ongoing Director-General election process, aiming to curb shadow campaigns just as the first candidates officially […] Continue reading -> US Drives 25% Plunge in HIV Funding in 2025 27/07/2026 Kerry Cullinan RIO DE JANEIRO – Donor funding for HIV dropped by 25% in 2025 – a staggering drop of $2.1 billion – driven by the United States slashing its funding, according to analyses by KFF and the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). This is the largest single-year drop ever, reducing funds to 2007 levels, according […] Continue reading -> In India, Cancer Is Increasingly Costing Survivors Their Livelihoods 23/07/2026 Arsalan Bukhari & Mehrunnisa Maryam Life was normal for 27-year-old Delhi-based lawyer Deeba Fariyal until six years ago when she was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare soft-tissue cancer that typically affects young adults. Since then, she has endured six relapses, leaving her with few treatment options. All the treatments have stopped working,” she said. “My cancer is one of […] Continue reading -> France Passes Strict Youth Social Media Ban But New Law Lacks Strong Enforcement Mechanism 22/07/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen France has adopted a strict youth social media ban for minors under 15, taking effect in September. But major enforcement hurdles remain, as lawmakers stripped the bill of direct platform sanctions to avoid clashing with European Union rules. The law also faces a constitutional review over the fundamental rights of children and parents. Minors under […] Continue reading -> Pandemic Talks: What Are The Two Models for Sharing Pathogens? 20/07/2026 Kerry Cullinan Two practical – and contrary – proposals were tabled at pandemic talks last week, detailing how information about dangerous pathogens should be shared. Health Policy Watch is sharing the two options – Africa’s Federated Model and the European Union’s Hybrid Model – to enable all interested parties to interrogate them before the next round of talks from 14-18 […] Continue reading -> Unitaid’s Opaque Leadership Search Advances Amid Plunging Budgets, Calls for Reform 17/07/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Unitaid is quietly searching for its next leader behind closed doors amidst growing demands for transparency. Whoever takes the helm of the market-shaping agency will inherit an organisation that faces acute financial shortfalls and mounting pressure for institutional reform. As Unitaid celebrates its 20th anniversary, severe cuts to the agency’s funding threaten to disrupt the […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
Adjusting to a Post-PEPFAR World 30/07/2026 Kerry Cullinan RIO DE JANEIRO – Zambia is hopeful that it can reach an agreement with the United States to salvage funds for its HIV programme, but South Africa remains frozen out of any new US funding for its HIV programme, government officials told journalists at a media briefing at the International AIDS Conference on Wednesday. Last […] Continue reading -> EXCLUSIVE: WHO Regional Directors Running for Director-General Must Take Leave for Campaign 28/07/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen In a first, WHO Regional Directors must take a leave of absence to run for the top job, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed to Health Policy Watch on Monday. This sweeping election reform closes a crucial loophole in the ongoing Director-General election process, aiming to curb shadow campaigns just as the first candidates officially […] Continue reading -> US Drives 25% Plunge in HIV Funding in 2025 27/07/2026 Kerry Cullinan RIO DE JANEIRO – Donor funding for HIV dropped by 25% in 2025 – a staggering drop of $2.1 billion – driven by the United States slashing its funding, according to analyses by KFF and the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). This is the largest single-year drop ever, reducing funds to 2007 levels, according […] Continue reading -> In India, Cancer Is Increasingly Costing Survivors Their Livelihoods 23/07/2026 Arsalan Bukhari & Mehrunnisa Maryam Life was normal for 27-year-old Delhi-based lawyer Deeba Fariyal until six years ago when she was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare soft-tissue cancer that typically affects young adults. Since then, she has endured six relapses, leaving her with few treatment options. All the treatments have stopped working,” she said. “My cancer is one of […] Continue reading -> France Passes Strict Youth Social Media Ban But New Law Lacks Strong Enforcement Mechanism 22/07/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen France has adopted a strict youth social media ban for minors under 15, taking effect in September. But major enforcement hurdles remain, as lawmakers stripped the bill of direct platform sanctions to avoid clashing with European Union rules. The law also faces a constitutional review over the fundamental rights of children and parents. Minors under […] Continue reading -> Pandemic Talks: What Are The Two Models for Sharing Pathogens? 20/07/2026 Kerry Cullinan Two practical – and contrary – proposals were tabled at pandemic talks last week, detailing how information about dangerous pathogens should be shared. Health Policy Watch is sharing the two options – Africa’s Federated Model and the European Union’s Hybrid Model – to enable all interested parties to interrogate them before the next round of talks from 14-18 […] Continue reading -> Unitaid’s Opaque Leadership Search Advances Amid Plunging Budgets, Calls for Reform 17/07/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Unitaid is quietly searching for its next leader behind closed doors amidst growing demands for transparency. Whoever takes the helm of the market-shaping agency will inherit an organisation that faces acute financial shortfalls and mounting pressure for institutional reform. As Unitaid celebrates its 20th anniversary, severe cuts to the agency’s funding threaten to disrupt the […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
EXCLUSIVE: WHO Regional Directors Running for Director-General Must Take Leave for Campaign 28/07/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen In a first, WHO Regional Directors must take a leave of absence to run for the top job, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed to Health Policy Watch on Monday. This sweeping election reform closes a crucial loophole in the ongoing Director-General election process, aiming to curb shadow campaigns just as the first candidates officially […] Continue reading -> US Drives 25% Plunge in HIV Funding in 2025 27/07/2026 Kerry Cullinan RIO DE JANEIRO – Donor funding for HIV dropped by 25% in 2025 – a staggering drop of $2.1 billion – driven by the United States slashing its funding, according to analyses by KFF and the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). This is the largest single-year drop ever, reducing funds to 2007 levels, according […] Continue reading -> In India, Cancer Is Increasingly Costing Survivors Their Livelihoods 23/07/2026 Arsalan Bukhari & Mehrunnisa Maryam Life was normal for 27-year-old Delhi-based lawyer Deeba Fariyal until six years ago when she was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare soft-tissue cancer that typically affects young adults. Since then, she has endured six relapses, leaving her with few treatment options. All the treatments have stopped working,” she said. “My cancer is one of […] Continue reading -> France Passes Strict Youth Social Media Ban But New Law Lacks Strong Enforcement Mechanism 22/07/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen France has adopted a strict youth social media ban for minors under 15, taking effect in September. But major enforcement hurdles remain, as lawmakers stripped the bill of direct platform sanctions to avoid clashing with European Union rules. The law also faces a constitutional review over the fundamental rights of children and parents. Minors under […] Continue reading -> Pandemic Talks: What Are The Two Models for Sharing Pathogens? 20/07/2026 Kerry Cullinan Two practical – and contrary – proposals were tabled at pandemic talks last week, detailing how information about dangerous pathogens should be shared. Health Policy Watch is sharing the two options – Africa’s Federated Model and the European Union’s Hybrid Model – to enable all interested parties to interrogate them before the next round of talks from 14-18 […] Continue reading -> Unitaid’s Opaque Leadership Search Advances Amid Plunging Budgets, Calls for Reform 17/07/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Unitaid is quietly searching for its next leader behind closed doors amidst growing demands for transparency. Whoever takes the helm of the market-shaping agency will inherit an organisation that faces acute financial shortfalls and mounting pressure for institutional reform. As Unitaid celebrates its 20th anniversary, severe cuts to the agency’s funding threaten to disrupt the […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
US Drives 25% Plunge in HIV Funding in 2025 27/07/2026 Kerry Cullinan RIO DE JANEIRO – Donor funding for HIV dropped by 25% in 2025 – a staggering drop of $2.1 billion – driven by the United States slashing its funding, according to analyses by KFF and the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). This is the largest single-year drop ever, reducing funds to 2007 levels, according […] Continue reading -> In India, Cancer Is Increasingly Costing Survivors Their Livelihoods 23/07/2026 Arsalan Bukhari & Mehrunnisa Maryam Life was normal for 27-year-old Delhi-based lawyer Deeba Fariyal until six years ago when she was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare soft-tissue cancer that typically affects young adults. Since then, she has endured six relapses, leaving her with few treatment options. All the treatments have stopped working,” she said. “My cancer is one of […] Continue reading -> France Passes Strict Youth Social Media Ban But New Law Lacks Strong Enforcement Mechanism 22/07/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen France has adopted a strict youth social media ban for minors under 15, taking effect in September. But major enforcement hurdles remain, as lawmakers stripped the bill of direct platform sanctions to avoid clashing with European Union rules. The law also faces a constitutional review over the fundamental rights of children and parents. Minors under […] Continue reading -> Pandemic Talks: What Are The Two Models for Sharing Pathogens? 20/07/2026 Kerry Cullinan Two practical – and contrary – proposals were tabled at pandemic talks last week, detailing how information about dangerous pathogens should be shared. Health Policy Watch is sharing the two options – Africa’s Federated Model and the European Union’s Hybrid Model – to enable all interested parties to interrogate them before the next round of talks from 14-18 […] Continue reading -> Unitaid’s Opaque Leadership Search Advances Amid Plunging Budgets, Calls for Reform 17/07/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Unitaid is quietly searching for its next leader behind closed doors amidst growing demands for transparency. Whoever takes the helm of the market-shaping agency will inherit an organisation that faces acute financial shortfalls and mounting pressure for institutional reform. As Unitaid celebrates its 20th anniversary, severe cuts to the agency’s funding threaten to disrupt the […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
In India, Cancer Is Increasingly Costing Survivors Their Livelihoods 23/07/2026 Arsalan Bukhari & Mehrunnisa Maryam Life was normal for 27-year-old Delhi-based lawyer Deeba Fariyal until six years ago when she was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare soft-tissue cancer that typically affects young adults. Since then, she has endured six relapses, leaving her with few treatment options. All the treatments have stopped working,” she said. “My cancer is one of […] Continue reading -> France Passes Strict Youth Social Media Ban But New Law Lacks Strong Enforcement Mechanism 22/07/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen France has adopted a strict youth social media ban for minors under 15, taking effect in September. But major enforcement hurdles remain, as lawmakers stripped the bill of direct platform sanctions to avoid clashing with European Union rules. The law also faces a constitutional review over the fundamental rights of children and parents. Minors under […] Continue reading -> Pandemic Talks: What Are The Two Models for Sharing Pathogens? 20/07/2026 Kerry Cullinan Two practical – and contrary – proposals were tabled at pandemic talks last week, detailing how information about dangerous pathogens should be shared. Health Policy Watch is sharing the two options – Africa’s Federated Model and the European Union’s Hybrid Model – to enable all interested parties to interrogate them before the next round of talks from 14-18 […] Continue reading -> Unitaid’s Opaque Leadership Search Advances Amid Plunging Budgets, Calls for Reform 17/07/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Unitaid is quietly searching for its next leader behind closed doors amidst growing demands for transparency. Whoever takes the helm of the market-shaping agency will inherit an organisation that faces acute financial shortfalls and mounting pressure for institutional reform. As Unitaid celebrates its 20th anniversary, severe cuts to the agency’s funding threaten to disrupt the […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
France Passes Strict Youth Social Media Ban But New Law Lacks Strong Enforcement Mechanism 22/07/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen France has adopted a strict youth social media ban for minors under 15, taking effect in September. But major enforcement hurdles remain, as lawmakers stripped the bill of direct platform sanctions to avoid clashing with European Union rules. The law also faces a constitutional review over the fundamental rights of children and parents. Minors under […] Continue reading -> Pandemic Talks: What Are The Two Models for Sharing Pathogens? 20/07/2026 Kerry Cullinan Two practical – and contrary – proposals were tabled at pandemic talks last week, detailing how information about dangerous pathogens should be shared. Health Policy Watch is sharing the two options – Africa’s Federated Model and the European Union’s Hybrid Model – to enable all interested parties to interrogate them before the next round of talks from 14-18 […] Continue reading -> Unitaid’s Opaque Leadership Search Advances Amid Plunging Budgets, Calls for Reform 17/07/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Unitaid is quietly searching for its next leader behind closed doors amidst growing demands for transparency. Whoever takes the helm of the market-shaping agency will inherit an organisation that faces acute financial shortfalls and mounting pressure for institutional reform. As Unitaid celebrates its 20th anniversary, severe cuts to the agency’s funding threaten to disrupt the […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
Pandemic Talks: What Are The Two Models for Sharing Pathogens? 20/07/2026 Kerry Cullinan Two practical – and contrary – proposals were tabled at pandemic talks last week, detailing how information about dangerous pathogens should be shared. Health Policy Watch is sharing the two options – Africa’s Federated Model and the European Union’s Hybrid Model – to enable all interested parties to interrogate them before the next round of talks from 14-18 […] Continue reading -> Unitaid’s Opaque Leadership Search Advances Amid Plunging Budgets, Calls for Reform 17/07/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Unitaid is quietly searching for its next leader behind closed doors amidst growing demands for transparency. Whoever takes the helm of the market-shaping agency will inherit an organisation that faces acute financial shortfalls and mounting pressure for institutional reform. As Unitaid celebrates its 20th anniversary, severe cuts to the agency’s funding threaten to disrupt the […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts
Unitaid’s Opaque Leadership Search Advances Amid Plunging Budgets, Calls for Reform 17/07/2026 Felix Sassmannshausen Unitaid is quietly searching for its next leader behind closed doors amidst growing demands for transparency. Whoever takes the helm of the market-shaping agency will inherit an organisation that faces acute financial shortfalls and mounting pressure for institutional reform. As Unitaid celebrates its 20th anniversary, severe cuts to the agency’s funding threaten to disrupt the […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older posts