22 November 2017, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic – Seven people have been killed and 42 people injured in Damascus city and surrounding areas in recent days. In eastern Ghouta, Rural Damascus, local health authorities report that during a 4-day period alone from 14 to 17 November, 84 people were killed, including 17 children and 6 women; and 659...

Today, 14 November, is World Diabetes Day. The theme for this year’s campaign is “Women and diabetes ‒ our right to a healthy future”. The campaign aims to promote the importance of affordable and equitable access for all women at risk of or living with diabetes to the essential diabetes medicines and technologies, self-management education and information...

November 2017 – World Antibiotics Awareness Week will be observed from 13 to 19 November 2017, with the year of this year’s campaign “Seek advice from a qualified health care professional before taking antibiotics”. The aim is to advocate for the proper and responsible use of antibiotics to prevent their misuse. It is important to seek the...

18 October 2017 - It is with grieving hearts that we announce the death of Dr Mahmoud Fikri, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean. He passed away on 17 October on his way to participate in the Global High Level summit on Non Communicable Diseases, taking place in Montevideo, Uruguay. Dr Fikri took office as Regional Director on 1...

12 October 2017, Islamabad, Pakistan – Members of WHO’s Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean today concluded their 64th Session, endorsing a number of resolutions that will have a positive impact on the health of populations in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region.  Among the topics discussed were cancer, climate change, the...

11 October 2017, Islamabad, Pakistan -- On the first day of the regular session of the 64th Regional Committee of the Eastern Mediterranean, the Regional Director’s annual report for 2016, health emergencies and polio eradication were at the core of the discussions. Dr Mahmoud Fikri, WHO Regional Director presented the annual report on the work...

10 October 2017, Islamabad, Pakistan – For the first time in Regional Committee history, the opening of the 64th Session of Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean was attended by the president of the host country, Pakistan, reflecting the importance of health on the national and global agenda. In his opening speech, H.E. Mr. Mamnoon...

5 October 2017 – Every year, the world marks World Mental Health Day on 10 October. The theme of this year's day is “mental health in the workplace” which focuses on how to create healthy work environment supportive to the mental health of employees. The aim is to help people avoid anxiety, depression or any mental conditions that may arise due to...

The Sixty-fourth Session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean opened on Monday evening, 9 October 2017, in Islamabad, Pakistan. As WHO’s governing body at the regional level, the Regional Committee comprises representatives of all 22 countries in WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region.  In the...

Dr El Ziq, WHO Representative to Saudi Arabia (right) addresses a meeting on the successful conclusion of this year's hajj3 September 2017, Makkah – The World Health Organization (WHO) today concluded a successful mission to Saudi Arabia to support the Ministry of Health in ensuring a safe hajj season. No disease outbreak or public health event of...