The UN General Assembly voted 141-8 to endorse a landmark International Court of Justice opinion finding that states are bound under international law to curb greenhouse gas emissions driving the climate crisis and protect states most affected by its fallout. “Climate change is an unprecedented challenge of civilisational proportions,” the resolution states. “The well-being of […] Continue reading ->
The world is in the last stretch of polio eradication, but closing this gap will require political commitment, the World Health Organization (WHO) told member states at the ongoing 79th session of the World Health Assembly (WHA). Polio virus has shown resurgence in conflict-hit or hard-to-reach areas like northern Yemen, Gaza, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Conflict […] Continue reading ->
The African region made an impassioned appeal for global funding to be restored for malaria elimination at the World Health Assembly on Wednesday. Drastic aid cuts in the past 18 months, particularly by the United States, have had a dramatic effect on malaria efforts – particularly as they coincide with growing drug resistance. Nigeria, speaking […] Continue reading ->
GENEVA – The World Health Assembly (WHA) voted 91-2 to adopt a resolution condemning Iranian attacks on civilian infrastructure across Gulf countries amid its war with the United States and Israel. The resolution condemns “in the strongest terms” the Iranian attacks on civilians and civilian objects in Gulf states and Jordan, citing damage to “medical […] Continue reading ->
Amid surging geopolitical tensions, increased global health threats, and strained public budgets, global health leaders and pharmaceutical executives converged in Geneva with a unified message: medical innovation must be treated as a critical investment not a healthcare drain. Showcasing this shift, Canada unveiled strategic investments and new regulations. GENEVA – Inside the packed ballroom of […] Continue reading ->
Neither Russia’s delegate banging her desk to interrupt Ukraine’s representative speaking at the World Health Assembly (WHA), nor her request to dismiss debate, stopped member states from condemning Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s health system. A report by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Director-General before delegates estimated that Russia’s aggression on Ukraine has caused 55,600 civilian […] Continue reading ->
GENEVA — The Ebola outbreak unfolding in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda poses a “low” risk globally, according to an expert committee of the World Health Organization (WHO). However, the national and regional risk is “high”, according to the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee. Last Sunday, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom […] Continue reading ->
The grim impossibility of addressing rising health emergencies with dwindling budgets was raised at the World Health Assembly (WHA) on Tuesday – amid votes on attacks on healthcare in Lebanon and Israel. “Outbreaks are accelerating, while the systems designed to stop them are being weakened,” warned Dr Annette Heinzelmann, emergency director for the WHO Eastern Mediterranean […] Continue reading ->