4 October 2024
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WHO Regional Director Dr Hanan Balkhy concludes her first official visit to Oman
3 October 2024
3 October 2024, Oman – World Health Organization Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hanan Balkhy visited the Sultanate of Oman between 30 September–3 October, where she met with H.E. the Minister of Health Dr Hilal bin Ali Al Sabti and other senior officials and participated in the First Omani Healthy City Conference in Salalah, Dhofar Governorate.
“My meeting with H.E. Dr Al Sabti marked a significant milestone in our joint efforts and reinforced our shared commitment to advancing public health. I am excited about the enhanced collaboration between Oman and WHO as we work together to improve health outcomes across the Region,” said Dr Balkhy.
Accompanied by Regional Director of Programme Management Dr Adham Ismail Abdel Moneim and WHO Representative to Oman Dr Jean Jabbour, Dr Balkhy also met staff from the Royal Hospital, the National Diabetes and Endocrine Centre (NDEC) and UN representatives.
After meeting with health care workers, Dr Balkhy commended the hospital on its commitment to patient safety and its involvement in the WHO Patient Safety Friendly Hospital Initiative. Discussions at the NDEC focused on the Centre’s preventive, curative and rehabilitative work on diabetes mellitus.
During a visit to the University Medical City and a primary health care centre, Dr Balkhy praised frontline health care providers for their unstinting efforts to provide quality health care services to all. The
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Regional expert network launched to help ensure continuity of care for chronic kidney disease ...
2 October 2024
30 September 2024, Cairo, Egypt – The Eastern Mediterranean Region faces a huge burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including chronic kidney disease (CKD). The Region’s frequent humanitarian emergencies –including conflicts, natural disasters and public health crises – place enormous strain on health care systems, making it particularly difficult to provide specialized care such as renal dialysis.
In times of crisis, ensuring continuity of care for patients with chronic kidney disease – including those on dialysis and transplant patients – becomes an enormous challenge. Patients can face life-threatening interruptions in their treatment due to damaged health infrastructure, shortages of essential medications and supplies, unreliable sources of water and electricity and shortages of health care personnel.
In Sudan, the armed conflict that began in April 2024 has placed over 8000 dialysis patients at severe risk of service disruption. By August 2024, only 44 functioning facilities remained out of the 102 available before the crisis, leaving 5000 patients without adequate care. In Gaza, where the unprecedented levels of destruction caused by the ongoing conflict has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis, the need to ensure continuity of care for CKD patients has never been more urgent.
In response to the challenges, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean has established a regional expert network on chronic kidney disease management, with a special focus on dialysis and kidney care during emergencies.
The initiative aims to support Member States explore innovative ways to maintain
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International Day of Older Persons
2 October 2024
1 October 2024, Cairo, Egypt – This year’s International Day of Older Persons, celebrated annually on 1 October, adopts the theme Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide.
People are living longer, and while the trajectory of each person’s life is different, older people are more likely to experience complex, chronic conditions, the management of which requires close coordination across different levels of health and social care, than younger people.
While we are, on average, living longer, we are not necessarily living healthier. Good quality, affordable and equitable care that helps us make the most of our longer lives – no matter who we are, where we live or how old – is urgently needed.
Care and support systems that meet the needs of older people needs to be enhanced. A recent WHO study found that people aged 60 years and above experience unmet health care needs regardless of whether they live in low-, middle- or high-income countries.
Older people may also need preventative and promotive care that maintains good health. Such care can include access to the information, skills and tools we need to care for ourselves.
According to the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing progress report (2023), only 1 in 4 reporting countries have the resources to implement integrated care that is responsive to older people’s needs, only 1 in 3 can implement long-term care, just 16% of low-income countries, which rely heavily on informal care, have training programmes for informal caregivers, and less than
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WHO validates the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Pakistan
1 October 2024
Pakistan Trachoma Elimination Project: mass drug administration. © WHO
1 October 2024, Islamabad, Cairo, Geneva – In a monumental achievement for public health, the World Health Organization (WHO) has validated the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Pakistan. Trachoma is a disease caused by infection by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium and can result in irreversible blindness if left untreated.
Pakistan becomes the 19th country globally to reach this historic milestone. Its success in doing so underscores the Government of Pakistan’s political commitment to public health, the value of WHO technical support and the incredible contributions of health professionals, endemic communities, civil society and partners like Sightsavers, Christian Blind Mission and the Fred Hollows Foundation. The achievement is a significant marker in the global fight against preventable diseases and their elimination.
In 1997, Pakistan eradicated Guinea-Worm disease. Elimination of trachoma as a public health problem adds to this legacy. This latest success is not the end but a precursor to more milestone achievements along the road.
As Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated: “Today marks a pivotal moment in our journey towards a healthier Pakistan. Together with our partners, we not only celebrate this achievement but reaffirm our unwavering commitment to effectively control and eliminate diseases impeding our socioeconomic development by placing quality health care within the reach of everyone in Pakistan.”
“Elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Pakistan is a
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Sudan surpasses 100 attacks on healthcare since 2023 armed conflict began
24 September 2024
WHO believes the number of attacks is likely much higher than what is currently verifiable
Cairo, September 24, 2024 The number of attacks on healthcare facilities in Sudan since the onset of the armed conflict in April 2023 has exceeded 100, with 108 incidents verified by WHO until mid-September.
WHO believes that the number of attacks is likely much higher than what is currently verifiable. The ongoing—and, in some areas, worsening—violence hinders our ability to independently verify both attacks and casualties.
Dr. Hanan Balkhy, Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, emphasised how difficult it is to ascertain the true scale of the impact on healthcare. “For each attack, there is a human cost that is borne by the entire community,” she said.
“In times of extreme violence, as we are unfortunately witnessing in Sudan today, it becomes even more crucial to have a functional health system. But instead, we not only see facilities but also health workers – the caregivers to the most vulnerable in society – targeted, despite their inspirational commitment to serve,” Dr Balkhy added.
Of the more than 100 verified attacks, over 75 have involved health facilities, and 45 have impacted health personnel. In addition to these, attacks have been reported on transport, including ambulances, medical supplies, and warehouses. In 29 of these incidents, patients were directly impacted. The worst affected have been the states of Khartoum, Darfur, and South Kordofan.
A nurse* working at a primary healthcare center in Darfur described the challenges faced after the facility where she
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World Heart Day - 29 September 2024: campaigning for cardiovascular health
29 September 2024
26 September 2024, Cairo, Egypt – On World Heart Day 2024, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean joins the global movement campaigning under the banner ‘Use Heart for Action’ to empower individuals to take responsibility for their heart health and advocate for stronger national cardiovascular health action plans.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death globally. In the Eastern Mediterranean Region an estimated 38% of the population — equivalent to 258 million people — live with hypertension, a major risk factor for heart disease, and half of all cardiovascular related deaths occur before the age of 70, highlighting the need for effective prevention and early management.
Despite this significant burden, only 50% of Member States in the Region have evidence-based national guidelines, protocols or standards for the management of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) through a primary health care approach. There is a pressing need for strong political will and commitment to ensure CVD policies are developed and implemented. Without dedicated leadership and the resolve to prioritize cardiovascular health, it will be difficult to enact the changes necessary to protect lives and reduce premature deaths from CVDs.
Together with the World Heart Federation, WHO is urging governments, decision-makers and the broader health community to unite in prioritizing cardiovascular health. Early diagnosis, effective treatment and prevention are crucial to reducing the burden of heart disease. By promoting strong health policies and empowering individuals to monitor their heart health, embrace healthier lifestyles, and seek timely care, we can save lives and enhance the
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Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
23 September 2024
Childhood cancer survivor from Syria, Yazan, 20 years old23 September 2024, Cairo, Egypt – Yazan is a 20-year-old Syrian who was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma as a child. The conflict in Syria and resulting humanitarian crisis meant that Yazan struggled to access treatment for his cancer, and he received little support from his school and community.
“I was denied entry to my final exams because I couldn’t climb the stairs to where the exam room was located. Yet they could easily have made an exception for me. I studied hard while being sick,” recalls Yazan.
Walid, a 29-year-old Egyptian, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the age of 15. He subsequently underwent an above-knee amputation. Currently working in finance, Walid wears a prosthetic leg. He feels the support for childhood cancer survivors is inadequate, especially when they reach adulthood.
With Walid (29) and Ayman (20) childhood cancer survivors from Egypt"My experience with the side effects of the treatment was more difficult than the cancer itself,” he says. “I could have used far more counseling and support, and with the right advice
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100 Days of Detention: Regional Directors of UN agencies and INGOs Call for Immediate Release ...
19 September 2024
18 September 2024 – Today marks 100 days since the arbitrary detention by de facto authorities in Sana’a of more than 50 personnel from the UN, international and national NGOs, civil society, and diplomatic missions. In addition, four UN staff members have been detained since 2021 and 2023. Attacks on humanitarian workers, including detentions and false accusations, violate international law, endanger safety, and severely hinder the support we provide to the Yemeni people and mediation efforts crucial for advancing the peace process in Yemen.
We, the regional directors of CARE, Oxfam, Save the Children, OHCHR, UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, WHO and WFP, urgently call for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained colleagues. In the meantime, all detained colleagues must be treated in accordance with international humanitarian law and human rights, including being allowed to contact their families, legal representatives, and organizations. We also call for the protection of humanitarian workers, ensuring safe humanitarian space and access to communities we serve.
The humanitarian situation in Yemen is dire and worsening, with over 18 million people, including 14 million women and children, suffering from compounded crises such as food insecurity and malnutrition, epidemics, climate change, displacement, damaged infrastructure, and critical economic conditions.
Despite immense challenges, including insecurity and staff safety concerns, diminishing funding, and a shrinking humanitarian space, the UN, INGOs and national partners are committed to continue providing much-needed humanitarian and development support to millions of Yemenis, guided by humanitarian principles and respect for Yemeni culture and traditions.
Note to Correspondents: Humanitarian situation in Yemen:
Over
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Jordan becomes first country to receive WHO verification for eliminating leprosy
19 September 2024
19 September 2024, Amman, Jordan – The World Health Organization (WHO) congratulates the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for becoming the first country in the world to be officially verified as having eliminated leprosy. This significant milestone marks a new era in global public health efforts.
“WHO congratulates Jordan on this impressive milestone,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Leprosy has afflicted humanity for millennia, but country-by-country we are stopping transmission and freeing individuals, families and communities from its suffering and stigma.”
Jordan has not reported any autochthonous cases of leprosy for over two decades, a testament to its strong political commitment and effective public health strategies to eliminate the disease.
Following up on the Ministry of Health’s interest in verifying the elimination of leprosy, WHO commissioned an independent team to assess this situation. After an extensive review, the verification team recommended that WHO acknowledges leprosy has been eliminated in Jordan.
“Jordan’s elimination of leprosy is an achievement that will transform the discourse around this age-old, stigmatizing disease,” said WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hanan Balkhy. “As the first country to achieve this target globally, Jordan stands as an inspiration to other countries, encouraging them to enhance their efforts and overcome barriers to achieve this remarkable feat.”
Jordan’s success sets a worldwide precedent, showcasing what can be achieved with strong political commitment, dedication, collaboration and strategic planning.
“Jordan’s
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Suspect and Protect: Concussion awareness campaign
17 September 2024
18 Septebember 2024
FIFA and World Health Organization launch global concussion awareness campaign
Suspect and Protect will highlight risks of concussion and provide educational resources for everyone involved at every level of football
Knowing the signs and symptoms of suspected concussion and how to protect players can help to make the game safer for all
Global campaign is launched in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and supported by FIFA Member Associations
In line with the Strategic Objectives for the Global Game: 2023-2027 and following on from the announcement at The IFAB AGM in March 2024, FIFA is launching Suspect and Protect: No Match is Worth the Risk, a concussion awareness campaign, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO).
The campaign aims to raise awareness of the fact that concussion is a traumatic brain injury and is a risk to every player on the pitch. It has been endorsed by players, coaches and team doctors from around the world.
Developed through extensive consultation with FIFA Medical and WHO brain health experts, the Suspect and Protect campaign aims to increase sign and symptom recognition among players, coaches and
