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NCDs in Qatar: From burden to action
24 September 2025 – Across the world, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have emerged as one of the greatest health challenges of our time. In Qatar, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers and chronic respiratory illnesses account for around 72% of all deaths. Rapid social and lifestyle changes, as well as an ageing population, have led to...
Remarks by Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean at the Inaugural Meeting of the Joint Coordination Team (JCT): UNGA80 Side Event by the African Union
24 September 2025 Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, It is an honour to join you at this inaugural meeting of the Joint Coordination Team (JCT), on behalf of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region. The JCT is an important milestone in advancing the Memorandum of Understanding between the African Union and WHO. It will help strengthen health...
Closing remarks by Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean at the Revolutionizing care for NCDs: Expanding access through primary health care: UNGA80 Side Event by KSA & Mexico, EMRO & PAHO
Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, Thank you for this insightful discussion. It has been truly inspiring to hear how Mexico has expanded effective coverage of NCD interventions, while Saudi Arabia has invested in strengthening primary health care and advancing digital health solutions. As a national of Saudi Arabia, I have witnessed...
Closing remarks by Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean at the UNGA80 High Level Side Event on the Global Health and Peace Initiative (GHPI)
23 September 2025 Your Excellency Dr. Hilal Ali Hilal Al Sabti, Minister of Health of the Sultanate of Oman,Dr. Tedros, WHO Director-General,Professor Mohamed Yakub Janabi, WHO Africa Regional Director,Distinguished Colleagues and Friends, The Eastern Mediterranean Region faces immense challenges. Nine of our 22 countries and territories are...
WHO to accelerate action on health agenda at UNGA High-Level Week
22 September 2025, Cairo, Egypt – The World Health Organization (WHO) will play an important role at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-level Week, from 22 to 30 September 2025, where global leaders will gather to accelerate progress on the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Health will be a central theme, with Heads of State and...
Senior health leaders from Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean conclude Rabat meeting with draft Statement of Intent
Rabat, 22 September 2025 – Senior health emergency leaders from across Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean concluded a three-day meeting in Rabat by putting forward a draft Statement of Intent. The working document sets out the collective intention of WHO Member States in both regions to strengthen communication and trust, reinforce...
Remarks by Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean at the 4th Annual Meeting of UN Group of Friends to Eliminate Hepatitis
22 September 2025 Excellencies, colleagues, friends, When we speak about liver disease, statistics can be overwhelming. But sometimes, a single life can shed light on an entire nation’s struggle against illness. Many of you will know Abdel Halim Hafez—the legendary Egyptian singer whose voice still moves hearts across the Arab world. He suffered...
WHO holds workshop on new vaccine introduction in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
The WHO held a three-day regional workshop on new vaccine introduction prioritization and sequencing, in Cairo, Egypt, from 31 August to 2 September 2025. The workshop brought together representatives from 14 countries of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region to strengthen national capacity for making proactive, evidence-informed decisions on the...
Tackling antimicrobial resistance and the collapse of microbiology diagnostics in Gaza
On 10 September 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean brought together an influential panel of more than 40 experts, health professionals ministry of health officials from Gaza and West Bank, and humanitarian organizations for a critical discussion on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the Gaza...
Afghanistan’s hidden epidemic of noncommunicable diseases and mental health conditions
21 September 2025, Kabul, Afghanistan – Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are taking a heavy toll on Afghanistan health system. Heart disease, diabetes, cancer and chronic lung conditions account for 43% of deaths in the country, a figure expected to rise above 60% by 2030, mainly among women. Substance use and road traffic accidents further...
