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Addressing the increasing burden of trauma in humanitarian settings
16 October 2024, Cairo, Egypt – Each year nearly 5 million deaths occur because of trauma and a further 45 million sustain life changing injuries. This exceeds deaths caused by the combined effects of malaria, tuberculosis and HIV. In 2023, in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 8 Member States each recorded over 1000 conflict-related deaths (range...
Launch of the Eastern Mediterranean regional framework to strengthen immunization
15 October 2024, Doha, Qatar – Vaccines save over 4 million lives each year. Recognizing their critical role, in August 2020 the 73rd World Health Assembly adopted the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030). This global initiative aims to enhance immunization efforts within primary health care systems. Access to essential vaccines remains a pressing...
Updates on the work of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body
15 October 2024 – In December 2021, the World Health Assembly established the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), tasked with negotiating and drafting a convention, agreement or other international instrument to strengthen global pandemic prevention, preparedness and response efforts. The INB's mission is firmly grounded in the principles of...
Accelerating the response to antimicrobial resistance across the Region
16 October 2024, Doha, Qatar – Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a major threat to health and health systems. The Global Burden of Disease study recently revealed that 1.14 million deaths were linked to bacterial AMR worldwide in 2021 and the World Bank estimated that after 2023 the global GDP shortfall due to AMR would exceed US$ 1 trillion...
Strengthening health information systems: a new regional strategy
16 October 2024, Cairo, Egypt – Efficient health information systems (HISs) improve health outcomes and the management of health services by facilitating better-informed policies and planning. In many countries of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, however, health data are often incomplete, fragmented or of inadequate quality, hindering the...
Introduction of the annual report and the Regional Director’s vision
Your Excellencies Ministers of Health and Heads of Delegations, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is my honour and pleasure to present my report on WHO’s work in the Region to you today. The annual report publication that was shared with you provides extensive information about WHO’s activities and achievements during 2023. It testifies to the hard work,...
Side event: innovative approaches for preventing and controlling dengue and other mosquito-borne disease outbreaks
15 October 2024, Doha, Qatar – The incidence of vector-borne diseases in the Eastern Mediterranean Region has increased significantly in the past decade. Factors include climate change, expanding and unplanned urbanization, international travel and population movement, weakened health systems in countries facing emergencies and other crises,...
Opening remarks by Dr Hanan Balkhy during the launch of the Sport for Health report “Changing the game: strengthening health and well-being through sport events"
Your Excellency Dr Hanan Al-Kuwari, Ladies and gentlemen, I am very pleased to join this launch of the report “Changing the game: strengthening health and well-being through sports events”. The report is one fruit of the partnership between the State of Qatar, WHO and FIFA which aimed to create a lasting legacy out of Qatar’s hosting of the 2022...
Member States redouble commitments for a lasting polio-free world at RC71
15 October 2024 –The 12th meeting of the Regional Subcommittee for Polio Eradication and Outbreaks was held during the 71st session of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region’s Regional Committee, marking another crucial step in the region’s pursuit of a polio-free future. The session witnessed robust participation, with a high number of...
The 71st session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean opens in Doha
14 October 2024, Doha, Qatar – The 71st session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean (RC71) opened this morning in Doha, Qatar. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who joined virtually, and WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hanan Balkhy inaugurated the event alongside H.E. the Minister of...
