Final report on implementing Vision 2023
10 October 2023, Cairo, Egypt ‒ A report on WHO’s work in the Eastern Mediterranean Region over the past 5 years was presented on the second day of RC70. It documents the tremendous, tireless work carried out by our countries and territories and concerned stakeholders, in collaboration with the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, to achieve the strategic priorities of “Vision 2023: Health For All By All”.
The report reflects on the collective efforts to realize the 4 priorities to expand access to universal health coverage; address the daunting challenges of emergencies; promote the health and well-...
Source: WHO EMRO News - October 10, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
Strengthening global health security: the working group on IHR amendments
10 October 2023 ‒ In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the international community has taken decisive steps to strengthen global health security. Among these efforts, the Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 stands as a pillar of collaboration and reform.
IHR amendments: a vital initiative
Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized the need for comprehensive changes to the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 to enhance their effectiveness. This significant decision was formalized through Executive Board Decision 150(3) in 2022 and the World Health ...
Source: WHO EMRO News - October 9, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
The 70th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean opens in Cairo
9 October 2023, Cairo, Egypt ‒ The 70th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean¬, also known as RC70, was inaugurated this evening in Cairo, Egypt. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, and Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, addressed delegates after the opening proceedings. Numerous ministers of health and other representatives of the Members of the Regional Committee were among the many dignitaries to attend the opening ceremony.
High-level officials from countries and territories of the Region also attend the Regional Committee, as do...
Source: WHO EMRO News - October 9, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
Unprecedented scale of health emergencies engulfs the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region
9 October 2023, Cairo, Egypt – As ministers of health from countries and territories across the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region gather in Cairo, Egypt, for the 70th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean, the Region is facing an unprecedented onslaught of emergencies that are inflicting a profound and alarming impact on public health.
“The sheer magnitude and relentless frequency of these emergencies are putting the lives and well-being of millions of already vulnerable people at risk, severely testing our response capacities and threatening fragile gains made to protect public health and...
Source: WHO EMRO News - October 9, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
Egypt becomes the first country to achieve WHO validation on the path to elimination of ...
9 October 2023, Cairo, Egypt – The World Health Organization (WHO) congratulates Egypt for its unprecedented progress towards eliminating hepatitis C, becoming the first country to achieve “gold tier” status on the path to elimination of hepatitis C as per WHO criteria. Achieving the gold tier means that Egypt has fulfilled the programmatic requirements that facilitate the reduction of new hepatitis C infections and deaths to levels that position the country to end the hepatitis C epidemic.
Globally, 58 million people are living with chronic hepatitis C infection. While there is no vaccine, the disease can be cured ...
Source: WHO EMRO News - October 9, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
WHO Regional Director ’s statement at the media briefing, 4 October 2023
4 October 2023 – This briefing bridges two crucial events at which decision-makers converge. The first is the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which I attended last month and where world leaders renewed their commitment, action, and solidarity to fight pandemic threats and to advance universal health coverage.
The second is the annual meeting of the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean, which will take place next week. Members of the Regional Committee will convene to review progress on our collective commitments to health across the Region and to agree on priorities for the coming months...
Source: WHO EMRO News - October 3, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
101 health workers killed in Libya in the aftermath of Storm Daniel
2 October 2023, Tripoli, Libya – A staggering 101 health workers in Libya lost their lives during Storm Daniel or in its immediate aftermath. Some were killed at home, others in the line of duty. Families and coworkers have described their anguish and feelings of helplessness at seeing their relatives, friends and colleagues swept away by the sheer force of the floods.
The deceased health workers are among the 4333 people thus far confirmed dead following the storm. More than 8500 people are still missing.
Dr Ahmed Zouiten, WHO Representative in Libya, paid tribute to the health workers who were killed in the floods: ...
Source: WHO EMRO News - October 2, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
WHO extends gratitude to the Government of Japan for life-saving support in the Eastern ...
1 October 2023, Cairo, Egypt – Today, Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, met with His Excellency Mr Oka Hiroshi, Ambassador of Japan to Egypt, to affirm the continued cooperation between WHO and Japan in responding to health crises across the Region.
The Eastern Mediterranean Region faces myriad health crises. WHO acknowledges the significant support from the Government of Japan, which has greatly contributed to improving the health and well-being of millions of people in need.
“We deeply value the generous support provided by our long-standing donor, the Government of Japan, t...
Source: WHO EMRO News - October 1, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
Libya: “A disaster of epic proportions”
Two weeks after Storm Daniel struck Libya, the scale of the damage is almost indescribable. The floods that followed left in their muddy wake a humanitarian crisis on a massive scale, particularly in Derna. An estimated 30 million cubic metres of water came roaring through the city when 2 dams in the nearby mountains collapsed. The torrent of water levelled entire city blocks and swept away whole families.
Critical infrastructure has been destroyed or damaged, affecting health, electricity, roads, telecommunications and other services. This latest catastrophe adds enormous pressure to Libya’s already fragile and severel...
Source: WHO EMRO News - September 28, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
Humanitarians of the EMR: meet the heroes powering our emergency response
My name is Dr Fares Kady, and I currently serve as the head of the WHO sub-office in Aleppo, Syria. My journey began in the last century – when I volunteered with the Red Cross/Red Crescent in 1998 – then on to the international NGO field. I joined WHO in 2013.
Two decades of experience in humanitarian work taught me that good intentions alone are not enough; they must be followed by action and commitment. Once we assess the needs and recognize the gaps, it becomes our duty to bridge the divide between intent and impact and translate intention into tangible efforts. A harmonious combination between idealism and practi...
Source: WHO EMRO News - September 28, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
Statement by the WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean at the press conference ...
25 September 2023 – 2023 has been unique in many ways. In May, WHO declared that COVID-19 was no longer a public health emergency of international concern. It remains a threat. Scientists continue to detect new strains and subvariants in circulation.
But it is now one issue among many, to be managed alongside other infectious diseases and other health challenges. We must stay vigilant and never let our guard down.
The 70th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean – also known as RC70 – will take place between 9 and 12 October under the slogan “United for a healthier future”. It coinci...
Source: WHO EMRO News - September 24, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
Saving lives, preventing health risks and restoring health care services in the aftermath of ...
Tripoli, Libya, 22 September 2023 – In the wake of catastrophic floods that had a devastating impact on Libya's east coast, the World Health Organization (WHO) is taking swift action to assist affected communities. WHO is supporting urgent efforts to restore access to health care and control the spread of infectious diseases, especially among the tens of thousands of people who have been displaced and are now living in shelters.
“The magnitude of this catastrophe is staggering,” said Dr Ahmed Zouiten, WHO Representative in Libya. “The need for swift, unified action cannot be overstated. We are collaborating closel...
Source: WHO EMRO News - September 22, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
Operations at WHO ’s logistics hub in Dubai reach an unprecedented scale and impact, says new ...
21 September 2023, Cairo, Egypt – WHO has released an innovative, interactive report that provides insights into the vast operations and global impact of WHO’s logistics hub in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The new report reveals the logistics hub’s impressive ability to provide support on an unprecedented scale, and its swift, adaptable response to humanitarian crises. This reinforces its vital role in WHO emergency response efforts across the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region and beyond.
Report on WHO’s logistics hub in Dubai
“The supplies delivered by WHO’s logistics hub in Dubai have been a...
Source: WHO EMRO News - September 21, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
Faster progress on nutrition is the focus of regional meeting and new resource
19 September 2023, Amman, Jordan – Today is the first day of the intercountry meeting for nutrition focal points organized by the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. It also marks the launch of the Eastern Mediterranean Region food composition database, a joint initiative by Al-Quds University and the Regional Office.
The meeting is taking place from 19 to 21 September 2023, in Amman, Jordan, under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Salha Bint Asem. Representatives of all of the Region’s Member States will attend, along with members of academia, United Nations agencies and international o...
Source: WHO EMRO News - September 19, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
WHO health supplies arrive in Libya as part of intensified response to devastating floods
WHO supplies arrived in Libya in response to the devastating floods
16 September 2023, Tripoli, Libya – Today, 29 metric tonnes of health supplies arrived in Benghazi, Libya, from the WHO Global Logistics Hub in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. With enough supplies to reach almost 250,000 people with health aid, the shipment reflects an intensified emergency response to the unprecedented flooding in eastern Libya in the aftermath of Storm Daniel. The supplies include essential medicines, trauma and emergency surgery supplies, and medical equipment. There are also body bags for the safe and dignified movement and burial of t...
Source: WHO EMRO News - September 16, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
