14 January 2013 – In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, as in other regions, women and newborn children are among the most vulnerable population groups. Ten countries are still at risk of not achieving Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 by 2015, and health indicators for these two population groups continue to be a cause for alarm in several...

MDGs 4 and 5 aim to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health, respectively27 January 2013 – Addressing the health of mothers and children is at the heart of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and health and development index. It is the subject and focus of several United Nations and WHO resolutions adopted by all Member States. To...

The newly established emergency support team will provide dedicated support for the Syrian crisis and neighbouring countries. Photo credit: IRIN15 January 2013 – In light of the continuing crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic and its impact on neighbouring countries, WHO is establishing an emergency support team to provide technical and...

9 January 2013 – To date, a total of nine laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with the novel human coronavirus have been reported to WHO – five cases, including three deaths, from Saudi Arabia, two cases from Qatar and two cases (both fatal) from Jordan. The novel coronavirus first raised concerns in September 2012 when it caused severe...

Photo credit: Sigrun Roesel24 December 2012 – As the year draws to an end, WHO reflects on the key public health milestones that have been reached in 2012, including the end of polio transmission in India and meeting the Millennium Development Goal target on drinking water ahead of schedule. Governments made important decisions on combating...

Source: Arab Human Rights Fund9 December 2012 – Four United Nations organizations issued today a joint statement calling for everyone to stand up to the epidemic of violence against women. UN Women, WHO, UNFPA and UNAIDS are fully committed to stopping violence against women and to ensuring the security, safety and dignity of women and girls...

"The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without the distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition." [WHO Constitution] Over the last two decades, the Eastern Mediterranean Region has been undergoing a number of radical social, political and...

Syria's under-five population is being targeted for immunization against polio and measles as part of a national campaign6 December 2012 – A vaccination campaign is under way in the Syrian Arab Republic to immunize children under 5 against polio and measles. The campaign is being implemented by the Ministry of Health with support from the World...

On the occasion of World AIDS Day, 1 December, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean is putting the spotlight on the HIV treatment gap in the Region. The Eastern Mediterranean Region is experiencing the fastest rate of increase of the HIV epidemic in the world. At the same time, it is providing the lowest coverage of HIV...

Violence against women is a violation of their human rights and has to stop25 November 2012 – International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is celebrated annually on 25 November. Violence against women is a major public health problem and a violation of women's human rights. The United Nations defines violence against women as...