Cairo, Egypt, 2 October 2025 – The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially launched a regional framework to defeat meningitis by 2030 in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, marking a bold step toward eliminating meningitis epidemics and saving lives across the Region.
Launching the draft Framework for implementing the Defeating Meningitis by 2030 global road map in the Eastern Mediterranean Region represents a milestone in aligning regional action with the global road map, endorsed by the Seventy-third World Health Assembly in 2020. It also reaffirms WHO’s commitment to creating a future where no one suffers or dies from meningitis, a disease that remains a serious threat, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
By 2030, the framework aims to have a Region free of meningitis by:
Eliminating bacterial meningitis epidemics
Reducing deaths from vaccine-preventable meningitis by 70%
Improving care and quality of life for survivors.
Meningitis, an inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord, has devastating consequences, with 1 in 5 survivors facing long-term challenges, including hearing loss, cognitive difficulties and physical disabilities. That’s why the regional framework places survivor-centred care, rehabilitation and dignity at its core.
Structured around five strategic pillars, the regional framework focuses on expanding access to life-saving vaccines (including Men5CV), strengthening early diagnosis and treatment, improving disease surveillance, ensuring rehabilitation and dignity for survivors and fostering community engagement through leaders and partners.
“To turn this vision into a reality in our Region, WHO EMRO has developed a practical operational framework. It guides countries in integrating meningitis prevention, detection, and care into their primary health care systems and in designing their essential service packages,” said Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, at the launch event.
If fully implemented, the global roadmap could prevent 2.75 million cases, save 920 000 lives, avert 780 000 disabilities and generate up to $100 billion in economic benefits by 2030.
WHO is calling on all governments, civil society actors and global health partners to invest in meningitis prevention and care, integrate it into plans for universal health coverage and raise awareness through platforms such as World Meningitis Day, marked every year on 5 October.
“Your leadership and action are vital to turning the goal of a meningitis-free future into reality. Let us work together to adapt, implement, and champion this framework—so that every community can benefit from robust protection against meningitis, particularly during mass gatherings,” Dr Balkhy told those attending the event.
The framework is more than a plan, it is a testament to the Region’s determination to end the suffering caused by meningitis and to protect the health of future generations. Through collective action, sustained commitment and inclusive partnerships, we can transform this vision into lasting impact and ensure a safer, healthier future for all.
Visit the WHO Defeating meningitis by 2030 webpage for resources, country profiles and implementation tools
Read the Framework for implementing the Defeating Meningitis by 2030: a global road map in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Learn more about meningitis.
