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This case study was published on 8 December 2022 as part of the WHO delivering results and making an impact: stories from the ground report, which presents a snapshot of how WHO has delivered on its mission in countries and contributed to health outcomes across a wide range of issues during 2020-2021.
In 2018, Pakistan signed the UHC2030 Global Compact,committing to\r\n advancing universal health coverage (UHC) as part of the country’s efforts to\r\n achieve health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).\r\n
The Government of Pakistan recognizes the fundamental role of primary health\r\n care (PHC) in achieving UHC. In view of the dire need for PHC reforms and the\r\n country’s recent commitments, international partners came together to agree\r\n on the Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All (SDG3 GAP)\r\n agenda. Pakistan has been prioritized by SDG3 GAP for intensified support\r\n under two accelerator themes: PHC and sustainable financing for health.
In view of Pakistan’s commitment to the SDGs and UHC, the WHO Country Office\r\n in Pakistan took the lead in establishing an SDG3 GAP coordination committee\r\n to enhance and harmonize coordination among partners engaged in the health\r\n sector. Further, two technical working groups for PHC and sustainable health\r\n financing were established to provide technical support to the committee.\r\n
Members of the SDG3 GAP coordination committee in Pakistan comprise WHO\r\n (as chair and secretariat); the Gavi Alliance; the Global Financing Facility;\r\n the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; the Joint United\r\n Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS); the United Nations Children’s Fund\r\n (UNICEF); the United Nations Population Fund; and the World Bank Group.\r\n The coordination committee and related technical working groups convene\r\n regular meetings to align and accelerate their support, monitor progress\r\n and exchange information on recent initiatives. At the most recent meeting,\r\n partners acknowledged that the committee was a useful forum for exchanging\r\n information for alignment and committed to remaining engaged for the\r\n provision of coordinated support to the country.
The WHO Country Office in Pakistan is leading SDG3 GAP coordination at\r\n the country level. WHO organized a high-level “primary health care for\r\n universal health coverage” (PHC4UHC) mission on 1–5 March 2021, which\r\n united eight SDG3 GAP partners in Pakistan to review the status of PHC and\r\n sustainable health financing and advise on a model of care to ensure effective\r\n implementation of the UHC Benefit Package. The Director of Universal Health\r\n Coverage and Health Systems at the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern\r\n Mediterranean led the mission, which concluded with a high-level national\r\n PHC4UHC forum where representatives from federal and provincial levels, as\r\n well as the eight SDG3 GAP partners, signed a joint statement in support of\r\n enhancing PHC towards UHC in Pakistan.1
At the commemoration of Universal Health Coverage Day 2021. ©WHO Country Office in Pakistan
After endorsement of the UHC Benefit Package/essential package of health\r\n services2 in October 2020, SDG3 GAP partners supported Pakistan in the\r\n development of documents on a provincial/area-specific essential package of\r\n health services. Three provinces have already endorsed the package, and the\r\n remaining provinces are expected to endorse it soon.\r\n
WHO is providing technical and financial support to the Government of\r\n Pakistan through a grant provided by the Government of Canada for the\r\n pilot implementation of the UHC Benefit Package through a PHC-oriented\r\n model of care in two districts (Islamabad Capital Territory and Charsadda).\r\n The project support was envisaged to be provided over a four-year period in\r\n a phased manner. The first phase was implementation in those two districts\r\n from 1 April 2021 to 31 May 2022, which was later extended till September\r\n 2022. This phase primarily focused on integrating a holistic health approach\r\n and intersectoral collaboration to optimize all health interventions, while\r\n addressing the social determinants of health. All SDG3 GAP partners and\r\n government stakeholders were engaged in brainstorming the key elements of\r\n the proposed model of care. WHO regularly exchanged progress with partners\r\n at periodically convened technical working group meetings.\r\n
The successful implementation of the model of care will present an example\r\n that can be replicated in other districts for implementing the UHC Benefit\r\n Package to expand UHC in the country. Given the size of the population\r\n (about 230 million), success of the model in general and of UHC expansion in\r\n particular is crucial to achieving the target of 1 billion more people benefiting\r\n from UHC globally.
References
\r\n2022 progress report on the Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All
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The scope of WHO’s work on psychological interventions is now extended through this week’s release of the individual, adult, 5-session version of Problem Management Plus (PM+)*, an intervention for common mental disorders among adults in communities affected by adversity. PM+ combines the empirically supported techniques of problem-solving counselling, behavioural activation, stress management and strengthening social support. The value of PM+ has recently been confirmed through randomized trials in Nairobi and Peshawar.
I was in a really bad state before, had no interaction with people, hated noise, got irritated and angry easily. Even my own children were too much….now I can enjoy them and my life and help others
Before the program I was not able to do house chores and take care of myself and my son. Now I do my hair, wash clothes, clean the house and look after myself and my son wel
I was in a very bad state, was always hating everyone, including my own children, but now I am good with them and can make jokes
Accounts from Kenya during PM+ evaluation
WHO is developing and testing a range of other scalable psychological interventions - involving a range of modalities - including for parents of children with developmental disorders; carers of people with dementia; and young adolescents affected by adversity. All interventions are designed and adapted to be scalable and subject to rigorous testing by WHO and partners in countries across different parts of world such as China, Ethiopia, India, Italy, Kenya, Lebanon, Nepal, Pakistan, South Korea and Uganda. Testing will be followed by guidance on implementation.
Once ready, these interventions will be uploaded to the WHO website, thereby greatly enhancing potential access to partners in low- and middle-income countries. Extending the mhGAP Programme with these interventions increases the Programme’s reach and should help facilitate a more effective and balanced bio-psychosocial approach.
WHO’s work on PM+ has been funded by USAID OFDA, ELHRA’s Research for Health in Humanitarian Crises (R2HC), Grand Challenges Canada, World Vision, and UNHCR.
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Nata Menabde, Executive Director, WHO office at the UN, moderated a briefing on Primary Health Care (PHC) organized by the Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan to the UN. The panel included H.E. Yelzhan Birtanov, Minister of Health from Kazakhstan, and Permanent Representatives to the UN from Kazakhstan, Thailand, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan as well as the Senior Adviser on Health in the Executive Office of the Secretary General. The discussion focused on ways to carry the vision of the Declaration of Astana forward and work together on implementing PHC to deliver Universal Health Coverage.
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The machine will not only improve the ability of medical staff to manage COVID-19 cases, but it will also reduce the risk of cross-contamination of staff and other non-COVID-19 patients.
While traditional film radiography continues to be effective for diagnosis, digital x-rays allow for the electronic manipulation of images in order to improve definition, which provides better image quality. As opposed to traditional x-rays, digital versions do not require development in a dark room, decreasing processing time and the use of resources. Additionally, the use of digital x-rays allows for easy storage, retrieval, and sharing of high-quality images. Digital x-rays facilitate monitoring of a patient’s progress, improve clinical decision-making,
As the number of cases of COVID-19 increases in Belize, the portable X-ray machine will increase efficiency, allowing for quicker diagnoses, while improving patient safety with fewer retakes and decreased radiation exposure during the clinical care of patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
The support being provided by WHO through procurement of vital hospital equipment is intended to enhance the hospital’s capacity to manage patients with COVID-19 and will also contribute to expanding the health system’s capacity to respond to disasters and pandemics in the future.
WHO thanks all donors and partners who have contributed to fund the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to combat COVID-19. A special appreciation goes to Member States and other contributors who provided flexible funds, making it possible for WHO to deliver a coherent, strategic and broad response.
Read more about WHO cooperation with Germany to fight COVID-19 in Belize
Read more about WHO’s response to COVID-19
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More about WHO’s response to COVID-19
","MultimediaNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Title":"WHO joins forces with young Global Shapers to disseminate health advice","NewsNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Summary":"","MetaTitle":"WHO joins forces with young Global Shapers to disseminate health advice","OtherRelated":"","OpenGraphDescription":"","MetaDescription":"","FactFileNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Highlight":"","Provider":"OpenAccessProvider","ThumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/globalshapers2.tmb-768v.jpg?sfvrsn=c0020ab5_3","FormatedDate":"15 May 2020","TrimmedTitle":"WHO joins forces with young Global Shapers to disseminate health advice"},{"Id":"f1cdb6f4-8a08-45f0-b637-acf7276c695d","LastModified":"2023-08-18T15:17:22Z","PublicationDate":"2021-01-26T10:02:55Z","DateCreated":"2021-01-26T10:02:55Z","IncludeInSitemap":true,"SystemSourceKey":null,"UrlName":"the-moderna-covid-19-mrna-1273-vaccine-what-you-need-to-know","ItemDefaultUrl":"/the-moderna-covid-19-mrna-1273-vaccine-what-you-need-to-know","FactSheetNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Subtitle":"","FeatureStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":1,"CommentaryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"PublicationDateAndTime":"2022-08-18T19:00:00Z","PhotoStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"DocumentNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"OpenGraphTitle":"The Moderna COVID-19 (mRNA-1273) vaccine: what you need to know","EventNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"SourceKey":null,"Content":"Updated 18 August 2022, to adhere to the latest SAGE recommendations.
The WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) has issued updated interim recommendations for the use of the Moderna COVID-19 (mRNA-1273) vaccine against COVID-19. This article provides a summary of those\r\n interim recommendations; you may access the full guidance document here.
Here is what you need to know.
The vaccine is safe and effective for all individuals aged 6 months and above. In line with the WHO Prioritization Roadmap and the WHO Values Framework, older adults, health workers and immunocompromised persons should be prioritised.
The Moderna vaccine can be offered to people who have had COVID-19 in the past. But individuals may choose to delay vaccination for 3 months following the infection.
Should pregnant and breastfeeding women be vaccinated?
Given the adverse consequences of COVID-19 during pregnancy and the increasing data supporting a favorable safety profile of mRNA-1273 in pregnancy, WHO recommends the use of mRNA-1273 in pregnant individuals. WHO does not recommend pregnancy testing prior to vaccination. WHO does not recommend delaying pregnancy or terminating pregnancy because of vaccination.
Vaccine effectiveness is expected to be similar in breastfeeding women as in other adults. WHO recommends the use of the vaccine in breastfeeding women as in other adults. In addition, vaccine-elicited antibodies have been found in breast milk following vaccination of breastfeeding women, suggesting possible neonatal as well as maternal protection. WHO does not recommend discontinuing breastfeeding because of vaccination.
Who should not take the vaccine?
Individuals with a history of severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine should not take this or any other mRNA vaccine.
Individuals who developed myocarditis or pericarditis following the first dose of mRNA-1273 vaccine should not receive additional doses of any COVID vaccine unless with the recommendation of their doctor or a healthcare professional.
This vaccine is authorized for use for those aged 6 months and above, with an adjustment in the recommended dosage in those aged 6 months – 4 years, and those aged 5-11 years.
WHO recommends that countries should consider using the vaccine in children aged 6 months to 17 years only when high vaccine coverage with 2 doses has been achieved in the high priority groups as identified in the WHO Prioritization Roadmap.
Children and adolescents aged 6 months to 17 years of age with comorbidities that put them at significantly higher risk of serious COVID-19 disease, should be offered vaccination, alongside other high-risk groups.
Studies on the safety and efficacy of the vaccine in children aged below 12 are still ongoing.
In accordance with the WHO Prioritization Roadmap, the priority remains to prevent deaths by achieving high vaccine coverage (primary series and boosters) in the highest and high priority-use groups. In general, children are at lower risk of COVID-19. That is why WHO recommends that countries prioritize vaccinating people who have higher risk first.
On 30 April 2021, WHO listed the Moderna vaccine for emergency use. WHO’s Emergency Use Listing (EUL) assesses the quality, safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and is a prerequisite for COVAX Facility vaccine supply.\r\n
The Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety, a group of experts that provides independent and authoritative guidance to the WHO on the topic\r\n of safe vaccine use, receives and assesses reports of suspected safety events of potentially international impact. In October 2021, the GACVS COVID-19 subcommittee concluded that the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have clear benefits in all age groups\r\n in reducing hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19.\r\n
A very rare serious adverse event is myocarditis, which is mainly observed in young males aged 18-35 after the second dose. These myocarditis cases typically occurred within a few days after vaccination, are generally mild, respond to conservative treatment, and are less severe with better outcomes than classical myocarditis or COVID-19 related myocarditis.
The Moderna vaccine after two doses and a first booster dose has been shown to have very high effectiveness against severe disease, hospitalizations and death, and modest effectiveness against symptomatic illness.
For adults aged 17 and above, SAGE recommends the use of the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine at a schedule of two doses (100 µg, 0.5 ml each) 8 weeks apart.
For adolescents aged 12 to 17 years, SAGE recommends 2 doses (100 µg, 0.5 ml each), given intramuscularly, 4 weeks apart. \r\n
For children aged 6 to 11 years, SAGE recommends 2 doses (50µg in 0.25 ml each), 4 weeks apart.
For children aged 6 months to 5 years, SAGE recommends 2 doses (25 µg [0.25 ml each), 4 weeks apart.
WHO recommends that the second dose should be administered 4–8 weeks after the first dose; an interval of 8 weeks between doses is preferred as this interval is associated with higher vaccine effectiveness and lower risk of myocarditis.\r\n
Compliance with the full schedule is recommended and the same product can be used for both doses.
SAGE recommends that severe and moderately immunocompromised persons should be offered an additional dose of vaccine. This is due to the fact that this group is less likely to respond adequately to vaccination following a standard primary vaccination\r\n series and are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease.
The first booster dose is recommended for the highest priority-use groups (e.g. older adults, persons with moderate to severe immunocompromising conditions, and health workers), 4-6 months after the completion of the primary series. If more than 6 months have elapsed since completion of the primary series, the booster dose should be given at the earliest opportunity.
WHO recommends countries should consider a second booster dose 4-6 months after the first booster dose for the highest priority groups.
For persons aged 12 and above, WHO recommends the dosage of the booster dose is half the dose used in the primary vaccination series (50 µg at 0.25 ml). The benefits of booster vaccination are recognized following increasing evidence of waning vaccine effectiveness against mild and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection over time.
There is currently no recommendation for either first or second booster doses in children under the age of 12, except for children with immunocompromising conditions.
SAGE accepts two heterologous doses of WHO EUL COVID-19 vaccines as a complete primary series.
For countries considering heterologous schedules, (e.g. using different COVID-19 vaccine platforms), WHO has made the following recommendations:
There is only modest impact on preventing mild infections and transmission, particularly in the context of Omicron.
Immunity persists for several months, but the full duration is not yet known. A booster dose restores vaccine effectiveness against Omicron, in particular against severe disease.
In the meantime, we must maintain public health measures that work: masking, physical distancing, handwashing, respiratory and cough hygiene, avoiding crowds, and ensuring good ventilation.
The vaccine remains effective against virus variants, though for the Omicron variant, vaccine effectiveness against severe and mild disease after two doses is lower compared to Delta, and waning is more rapid. Therefore, a third dose (first booster) is recommended for all adults, and a second booster for the highest priority-use groups.
It is impossible to compare vaccines head-to-head due to the different approaches taken in designing the respective studies, but overall, all of the vaccines that have achieved WHO Emergency Use Listing are highly effective in preventing severe disease\r\n and hospitalization due to COVID-19.
This webpage was updated on 18 August 2022 to reflect the latest guidance.
This webpage was updated on 10 June 2022 to ensure consistency of formatting.
This webpage was updated on 23 February 2022 to update the latest guidance.
This webpage was updated on 5 January 2022 to update the latest guidance and ensure consistency of information and formatting.
This article was revised on 29 January 2021 to include a section dedicated to pregnant women, but the recommendations remain the same.
There will be no further updates to this page. For more information on Covid-19 vaccines.
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Bangladesh takes steps to strengthen MHPSS preparedness through inter-agency training, preparedness assessment, and stakeholder engagement.
In May 2024, WHO Member States adopted a new resolution emphasizing the critical importance of \"Strengthening mental health and psychosocial support before, during and after armed conflicts, natural and human-caused disasters, and health and other emergencies.” Bangladesh, which hosts over 1.1 million Rohingya refugees and faces increasingly severe monsoon seasons, recurring infectious disease outbreaks and ongoing social and political challenges, has taken significant steps to act on this resolution and integrate mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) into efforts to reduce and manage disaster risks. In a country where more than 3 out of 4 people live in areas at-risk of natural hazards, this integration is increasingly recognised as a fundamental public health priority that strengthens overall resilience and response capabilities.
In December 2024, the WHO Country Office for Bangladesh, in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh and UNHCR, led a series of national MHPSS preparedness activities—marking a milestone in advancing the integration of MHPSS within disaster risk management, enhancing preparedness for more effective emergency response.
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/mental-health-and-substance-abuse/special-initiative-on-mental-health/training-for-mhpss-preparedness.png?sfvrsn=7c18a6cc_3\" "\\"Training")
From 2–4 December, WHO and UNHCR co-organized a three-day inter-agency workshop in Cox’s Bazar focused on operationalizing MHPSS preparedness as part of disaster risk management. This workshop was part of broader efforts under the WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health (SIMH) to expand sustainable mental health services in Bangladesh. More than 50 participants from across government and the humanitarian and development sectors joined the workshop. The MHPSS Ready training package aims to strengthen the capacity to manage risks to mental health and ensure timely and effective mental health and psychosocial support before, during and after emergencies.
To further support implementation, WHO and partners piloted the forthcoming MHPSS Preparedness Assessment Toolkit, using the toolkit’s capacity checklist to assess MHPSS readiness in SIMH-supported districts and in Cox’s Bazar refugee camps. To further assess readiness, two community risks and capacities focus group discussions were held in Cox's Bazar to gather feedback from adults living in the refugee camps. Visits to health centres and community discussions further enriched findings, with more district-level assessments planned for 2025.
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/mental-health-and-substance-abuse/special-initiative-on-mental-health/mhpss-preparedness-meeting.png?sfvrsn=f7c33736_3\" "\\"MHPSS")
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/mental-health-and-substance-abuse/special-initiative-on-mental-health/mhpss-preparedness-in-bangladesh.png?sfvrsn=4cce4330_3\" "\\"MHPSS")
Building on these activities,, a national stakeholder workshop on MHPSS preparedness was also held on 10 December in Dhaka. The workshop brought together representatives from the National Institute of Mental Health, NGOs, and UN agencies to define key challenges and next steps. Among the priorities identified were expanding community-based mental health systems, strengthening multisectoral coordination, and embedding MHPSS within national emergency and disaster management planning and structures.
These initial steps mark important progress in strengthening MHPSS preparedness in Bangladesh. Through investment in coordination, capacity, and data, the country is moving toward more resilient systems. Strengthening MHPSS is essential to protecting population well-being during emergencies, and boosting universal health coverage
For more information, please contact Hasina Momotaz (momotazh@who.int) and Dr Brandon Gray (grayb@who.int)
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Sierra Leone celebrated an important milestone on Monday, 24 August 2015. For the first time in more than a year, there are no people being treated for Ebola virus disease and no confirmed cases of Ebola in the country.
Surrounded by singing, dancing and clapping health-care workers, Adama Sankoh, palm oil trader, was released from the Makeni Ebola treatment unit. In the ceremony held to mark the final Ebola case, the President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, described Madame Sankoh's release as \"the beginning of the end of Ebola.\"
“Ebola nor don yaet” (Ebola is not yet finished) the President told Madame Sankoh as he handed her a certificate confirming that she was now negative for Ebola virus. He asked Madame Sankoh to remind her friends and family to call the Ebola hotline immediately if anyone in their community develops symptoms of Ebola or dies at home.
Madame Sankoh told the gathering of health-care workers, Ebola survivors, leaders of national and district Ebola response teams and representatives of the agencies working to fight Ebola that she had learned about the disease the hard way. Now, she said, she knows that safe burial and thorough handwashing is essential for protecting against Ebola virus disease.
While the mood was celebratory, President Koroma reminded the gathering that Ebola transmission would not be considered ended in Sierra Leone \"until the WHO declares we have gone 42 days with no case.\" The 42-day period begins on Tuesday, 25 August.
Even then, said President Koroma, Ebola could not be considered over until every country in the 'sub-region' made up of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone had gone 42 days with no case after the last confirmed case had been discharged from treatment or, if they had died, safely buried.
Dr Anders Nordström, WHO Representative in Sierra Leone said \"This is an important milestone for Sierra Leone. But the hard work that got Sierra Leone to this point has to continue.\"
\"Surveillance, searching for cases, notifying any deaths in the community, testing anyone with Ebola symptoms, all must continue intensively. And the community involvement that has led us to this point must continue as well.\"
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As COVID-19 surges around the world, WHO continues its efforts to tackle the ongoing pandemic. Beyond the frontpage headlines, WHO with its partners' and donors' support, keeps working to help countries prevent, test for and treat the virus.
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/uganda_exr.jpg?sfvrsn=b9f4d7d_5&Status=Master\")
WHO Representative to Uganda gets COVID-19 vaccine jab. Story published by AFRO/WHO on 20 April 2021.
Following work to combat vaccine hesitancy among frontline health workers in Uganda's Hoima district, WHO and the Ministry of Health helped significantly increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake with a mix of interventions. A campaign that included the distribution of informational materials helped debunk misinformation and rumours as well as demonstrate the benefits of vaccination. Through activities which also included publicly vaccinating\r\n influential health care workers and officials such as the WHO Representative to Uganda, the teams have improved vaccination rates to stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives. WHO and the Ministry are rolling out similar measures to further priority\r\n groups in the region.
In Comoros, WHO delivered a batch of medical equipment worth over US$ 500 000 to help strengthen the country's COVID-19 response. The equipment will improve laboratories testing capacity and protect health workers.
The WHO Regional Office for Africa has also been active on a number of fronts to strengthen the region's research, innovation and evidence gathering,\r\n Pillar 11 of WHO's response to COVID-19. The office has coordinated nearly 100 related studies in 36 Member States and has provided technical, financial and material support.
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/syria_exr.jpg?sfvrsn=ed669375_3&Status=Master\")
Syria received its first batch of COVID-19 vaccines through COVAX. Story published by WHO/EMRO on 22 April 2021.
The first batch of doses of COVID-19 was recently delivered to Damascus, Syria through the COVAX Facility.\r\n Th e vaccines will be allocated to frontline health workers, including in northeast Syria. Simultaneously, a separate batch of doses of vaccines for high-risk populations in northwest Syria was shipped through WHO and UNICEF.
Also in the region, ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, encouraged safe COVID-19 precautions during fasting and gatherings.
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/philippines_exr.jpg?sfvrsn=e4451c5_3&Status=Master\")
Story published by the WHO Philippines Office on 19 April 2021.
WHO recently procured and delivered 50 lifesaving oxygen concentrators and their accessories to the Department of Health in the Philippines. The supplies will help improve preparedness in manage a potential surge of cases in areas where cases of COVID-19 are expected to increase in the coming weeks.
The WHO Representative Office for Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore and the Wikimedia Community User Group in Malaysia have launched the first ever article-writing competition seeking to increase awareness and coverage of multiple health topics in the Malay language on Wikipedia. The competition will help provide accurate information related to COVID-19, vaccine-preventable diseases, tuberculosis, cardiovascular\r\n and other noncommunicable diseases, and nutrition. Also in Malaysia, WHO and the Impact Hub Kuala Lumpur, in partnership with the Social Entrepreneurship to Spur Health and the University of North Carolina, have launched a project to mobilize youth and young adults to contribute to health policies to build a better post-pandemic world.
In Mongolia, Australia recently provided a grant to assist the government and WHO to increase COVID-19 testing capacity.\r\n The funding will strengthen and expand PCR testing and diagnosis in Ulaanbaatar and key regional centres.
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/knowcovid_exr.jpg?sfvrsn=6676e184_3&Status=Master\")
Story published by the WHO Thailand Office on 11 April 2021.
In May 2021, WHO and its partners are launching the Thai version of the special edition of popular comic magazineKai Hua Ror (Laughter for Sale) designed to show how families can protect themselves from COVID-19.
In addition to COVID-related hygiene, the cartoons also take on sensitive topics in simple and easy-to-understand terms demonstrating how to reduce stigma around coronavirus infection, providing knowledge on vaccines and more.
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/trinidadtobago_exr.jpg?sfvrsn=27928746_3&Status=Master\")
PAHO/WHO Representative, Dr Erica Wheeler in Trinidad and Tobago.
As part of the fight COVID-19, the WHO Regional Office for the Americas, in collaboration with the Canadian government, has donated a\r\n large stock of equipment to the Ministry of the Health in Suriname. The donation included personal protective equipment as well as medical, computer and other supplies destined to protect older residents in care homes.
In Honduras, thanks to support from the World Bank, WHO recently helped improve and equip medical facilities and laboratories that will benefit over 500 000 people and mitigate the effects of COVID-19 in the Comaygua region.
In Ecuador, the WHO Regional Office for the Americas recently delivered testing equipment to the National Centre for Influenza and Surveillance of COVID-19 to help identify variants of concern. The donation, made possible thanks to funding from the Government of Canada, is part of ongoing capacity-building activities to improve COVID-19\r\n surveillance .
Amid a surge in case numbers and deaths in Brazil, the WHO Regional Office for the Americas recently donated a large stock of equipment to support the country's COVID-19 vaccination campaigns.
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/bulgaria_exr.jpg?sfvrsn=15edad2_3&Status=Master\")
WHO Representative in Bulgaria, Dr Skender Syla (left) and WHO Public Health Expert, Dr Michail Okoliyski.
A new report from WHO Europe on health spending calls on governments to not repeat past mistakes when rebuilding from COVID-19. The report by the WHO Barcelona Office for Health Systems Financing has highlighted the need for governments to maintain a\r\n higher level of public spending on health for the wider benefit of society despite expected budgetary pressures following the pandemic. Titled \"Spending on health in Europe: entering a new era\", it is the first in-depth analysis of health spending across all 53 Member States in the WHO European Region over nearly two decades. Increased public investment in health\r\n is needed in most countries to make progress towards universal health coverage and to improve health, well-being and protection from health emergencies, WHO Triple Billion Targets.
***
Read more about WHO response to COVID-19 across the world.
Without the support of donors and partners, WHO would not be able to reach these countries in need and help them make it through the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHO thanks all governments, organizations and individuals contributing to the COVID-19 response around the world since the beginning of the outbreak, and in particular those who have provided fully flexible contributions, to ensure a comprehensive fight against the disease.
Member States and other governments in 2021:
Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lesotho, Malta, Mauritania, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom,United States.
Other partners in 2021:
African Development Bank Group, African Reinsurance Corporation, Asian Development Bank, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, China Medical Board, COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, East African Community, European Union, Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), Gavi-The Vaccine Alliance, International Organization for Migration (IOM), Islamic Development Bank, King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Center (Ksrelief), National Philanthropic Trust (NPT), Rockefeller Foundation, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Southern African Development Community Secretariat (SADC), Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), Vital Strategies, WHO Regional Office for the Americas, World Bank.
Read more about donors and partners contributing to the COVID-19 response.
Read more about WHO’s response to COVID-19 across the world.
Read more about donors and partners contributing to the COVID-19 response.
","Provider":"OpenAccessProvider","ThumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/philippines_exr.tmb-768v.jpg?sfvrsn=e4451c5_3","FormatedDate":"11 May 2021","TrimmedTitle":"\ufeffWHO\u2019s work in all regions remains critical in the ongoing fight against COVID-19"},{"Id":"807e2645-36da-407b-be32-ff308bd790fe","LastModified":"2025-03-18T04:16:36Z","PublicationDate":"2021-04-12T09:53:44Z","DateCreated":"2021-04-12T09:53:45Z","IncludeInSitemap":true,"SystemSourceKey":null,"UrlName":"mpower-package-of-data-driven-tobacco-control-measures-helps-protect-up-to-5-billion-lives","ItemDefaultUrl":"/mpower-package-of-data-driven-tobacco-control-measures-helps-protect-up-to-5-billion-lives","FactSheetNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Subtitle":"","FeatureStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"CommentaryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"PublicationDateAndTime":"2021-04-12T18:00:00Z","PhotoStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"DocumentNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"OpenGraphTitle":"MPOWER package of data-driven tobacco control measures helps protect up to 5 billion lives","EventNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"SourceKey":null,"Content":"At least 5 billion people are now covered by at least one of the live-saving MPOWER measures designed to address the worldwide tobacco epidemic.
This includes 1 billion people who have benefited from positive steps taken by their countries to incorporate improved tobacco tax policies and 1.6 billion people who are now protected from second-hand smoke by comprehensive national smoke-free laws.
These measures are part of MPOWER - a package of six proven policies to:
These are all data-driven, cost-effective approaches to help the world make definite, measurable progress in global tobacco control. These measures are rigorously assessed and reported upon through WHO’s Global Tobacco Control Report which tracks the progress of MPOWER interventions country by country. Data in this report help WHO and global tobacco partners assess and accelerate the global status of tobacco control and provide countries an opportunity to benchmark their policy progress.
\"MPOWER is an incredible success story showcasing the power of data. The key to its success is that it tracks and
The key to its success is that it tracks and measures progress in a standardized and systematic way.\"
measures progress in a standardized and systematic way. By using national population surveys, WHO and partners continuously evaluate the effectiveness of policies on tobacco use prevalence. The evidence is clear - tobacco use declines in countries that implement MPOWER,” said Dr Vinayak Prasad, Head of Unit, No Tobacco (Tobacco Free Initiative), WHO.
How countries are using MPOWER to reduce disease and decrease hospital admissions
Countries are increasingly relying on MPOWER measures to reduce the significant harms and costs caused by tobacco to their populations.
In Turkey, the adoption of MPOWER measures in 2008 led to a significant reduction in smoking. By 2012 data showed that smoking decreased by 13.4% and exposure to second-hand smoke was on the decline too. Turkey became the third country in Europe to go 100% smoke-free indoors and the first country to achieve all six MPOWER measures at the highest level.
The MPOWER measures have been life-changing for Turkey’s people, reducing the likelihood of heart disease, lung cancer, and other chronic diseases. Progress is evident, with studies showing a 20% decline in 2012 in the number of citizens admitted to hospital for smoking-related diseases.
In Brazil, the first country with a population above 100 million to designate all public and work places as smoke free and the second to achieve all six MPOWER measures at the highest level, smoking prevalence decreased from 22.4 % in 2003 to 12.6% in 2019. This has been in part due to the implementation of MPOWER measures through strong national laws, and increases in tobacco tax rates.
Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) data shows similar stories all over the world – the Philippines showed a 20% decrease in tobacco use between 2009 and 2015 thanks to MPOWER (and in particular R - raising taxes on tobacco). And in Ukraine a 19% decrease in tobacco use between 2010 and 2017 was due to a new tobacco control law, focused on the MPOWER measures.
These are powerful examples of what data-driven measures like MPOWER can achieve, and absolute proof that no country needs to remain dependent on tobacco.
WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC)
WHO has always applied a data-driven approach to global tobacco control efforts. MPOWER was developed to help countries implement the WHO FCTC and its guidelines, which provide the foundation for countries to apply and manage tobacco control. The WHO FCTC was developed in response to the globalization of the tobacco epidemic and is an evidence-based treaty that reaffirms the right of all people to the highest standard of health.
","MultimediaNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Title":"MPOWER package of data-driven tobacco control measures helps protect up to 5 billion lives","NewsNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Summary":"","MetaTitle":"MPOWER package of data-driven tobacco control measures helps protect up to 5 billion lives","OtherRelated":"","OpenGraphDescription":"","MetaDescription":"","FactFileNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Highlight":"
As the world prepares to mark World Malaria Day on April 25, what is the situation with malaria around the world and in Ghana right now?
Malaria continues to be a disease of significant public health importance, even more so in sub-Saharan Africa which contributes the highest burden of malaria disease and death. Ghana is no exception, and in fact we are one of 11 countries with the highest burden of malaria in the region. Malaria is still the number one cause of out-patient visits in the country. However, on the bright side, we are starting to see a reduction in the number of deaths at our health facilities.
When it comes to malaria, children under the age of five and pregnant women are the most affected, and in Ghana we have more children under the age of five dying and falling ill due to malaria than in other age groups. Among the general population, everyone is at risk in Ghana, but some regions see a higher burden of malaria. In the past, we used to see the highest burden in the northern regions, but now we’re seeing it more in the western regions. I think this shift is probably because we’ve put in more interventions in the north where we’re seeing a reduction in the burden of malaria.
This World Malaria Day also marks the two-year anniversary of the pilot introduction of the RTS,S malaria vaccine in Ghana. What have you seen in communities regarding the malaria vaccine?
Vaccine introduction is going on in the targeted regions, and we’ve seen a gradual increase in uptake of the vaccine.
Although uptake of the vaccine is somewhat below our target—we are at about 70% of uptake of the first dose—it’s progressing steadily. One of the challenges with the malaria vaccine is making sure that parents come back for the fourth dose, when the child is two years old. The other challenge is that in Ghana, we’re seeing hesitancy towards vaccines in general, linked to a fear of the unknown and a fear that vaccines might contain something they are not supposed to.
As with other vaccines in the country, the Ministry of Health is carrying out continuous education and sensitization of caregivers and other decision-makers, to encourage uptake.
What’s been the most memorable part of being involved with the roll-out of this vaccine?
I still remember when we gave the first dose; that was quite memorable! We had to go through several hurdles to get to that point, and it was great to finally see the vaccine being rolled-out.
As a public health physician, I know that vaccines can have a positive impact on disease. They can be easier to administer and lead to greater compliance than other preventive methods. For example, once you give a vaccine to someone there is very little expected of the person to do afterwards in order to get the needed results – unlike distributing insecticide-treated nets when you need people to sleep in them before you get the results. So as a malaria programme manager, I am happy to have an efficacious vaccine to promote.
How is the COVID-19 pandemic affecting malaria prevention and control efforts in Ghana?
The COVID-19 pandemic has had both positive and negative impacts on our work.
On the positive side, it led us to realize we could do things differently and still do them well. We moved several meetings and trainings online, for example, which saved us financial and human resources.
But there have been some negative impacts as well. When COVID-19 started, schools were closed down in Ghana, which interfered with our plans to distribute insecticide-treated nets through schools.
For some time, it was also more difficult to implement some of our interventions that require physical contact, including seasonal malaria chemoprevention for children under the age of five. In some parts of the country, access to computers and the internet, as well as computer literacy, can be difficult, so we had to find ways to organize in-person trainings and meetings, but in smaller groups and with appropriate personal protective equipment and that cost us more.
Human resources were also a challenge. Some health workers fell sick with COVID-19, while others had to devote their time to fighting the pandemic, leading to other health areas being neglected. Most of us were called to support the fight against COVID-19. In my case, for example, I led the contact tracing in Ghana. All hands were on deck, but eventually we ensured that the work of malaria control was undertaken.
What strategies have you used to manage some of these challenges?
Thankfully, the National Malaria Control Programme of the Ghana Health Service was able to put in place measures to make sure that COVID-19 didn’t significantly cause us to veer off our set targets and objectives for the year. In some cases that involved shifting to virtual meetings, organizing smaller, socially distanced meetings, changing the dissemination of information from group gatherings to use of community microphones. We put in place preventive protocols and found ways to ensure that the work could continue.
We also constantly engaged with, and advocated with, our superiors to ensure we had the resources we needed. We also engaged with communities to help them understand that despite COVID-19, malaria had not gone away, and that if we did not act, people would die from malaria. In many communities, we used personal address systems to send out information about malaria and about on-going interventions they could take advantage of.
To me, the key thing is to have a plan in place for how you manage other diseases in the face of COVID-19, or in the face of future emerging diseases.
What are your priorities for the malaria vaccine as part of malaria control over the next year?
For me, the priority is to learn whether the vaccine is effective when given as part of routine immunization and whether the safety signals in the phase 3 trials are something we should worry about. If the data show that the malaria vaccine is helping to further reduce the burden of malaria, then it’s something we’ll be happy to push for.
","MultimediaNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Title":"Interview with Dr Keziah Malm, Programme Manager, National Malaria Control Programme, Ghana","NewsNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Summary":"","MetaTitle":"Interview with Dr Keziah Malm, Programme Manager, National Malaria Control Programme, Ghana","OtherRelated":"","OpenGraphDescription":"","MetaDescription":"","FactFileNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Highlight":"","Provider":"OpenAccessProvider","ThumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/thumbnails-global/dr-keziah-malm.tmb-768v.jpg?sfvrsn=589a266d_1","FormatedDate":"21 April 2021","TrimmedTitle":"Interview with Dr Keziah Malm, Programme Manager, National Malaria Control Programme, Ghana"},{"Id":"fe453905-6fa7-4921-8025-3f5a7bdd8469","LastModified":"2022-07-11T07:51:17Z","PublicationDate":"2021-06-10T13:58:41Z","DateCreated":"2021-06-10T13:58:42Z","IncludeInSitemap":true,"SystemSourceKey":null,"UrlName":"building-a-future-free-of-cervical-cancer-in-africa","ItemDefaultUrl":"/building-a-future-free-of-cervical-cancer-in-africa","FactSheetNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Subtitle":"The disease can be eliminated with improved access to vaccination, screening and treatment.","FeatureStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"CommentaryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"PublicationDateAndTime":"2021-06-10T21:00:00Z","PhotoStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"DocumentNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"OpenGraphTitle":"Building a future free of cervical cancer in Africa","EventNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"SourceKey":null,"Content":"
Cervical cancer, which is caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), presents a significant public health threat to women on the African continent \u200a–\u200a all but one of the top 20 countries\r\n worldwide with the highest burden of cervical cancer in 2018 were in Africa.\r\n
Cervical cancer is curable if diagnosed and treated early. The tragedy is that while this type of cancer is preventable, poor access to prevention, screening and treatment contributes to 90% of deaths.
![\"A](\"https://www.who.int/images/default-source/departments/department-of-communications/features/building-a-future-free-of-cervical-cancer-in-africa/who_20210301_nga-433.jpg?Status=Master&sfvrsn=f58e3f8a_6\")
Dr Bello and her team treat a patient at the RAiSE Foundation in Minna, Nigeria. © WHO / Blink Media / Etinosa Yvonne
To end needless suffering from a cancer that is both preventable and curable, 194 countries committed to WHO’s Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer, launched in November 2020.\r\n
The strategy outlines three key steps: vaccination, screening and treatment. Reaching the targets outlined in the strategy would put the world on the path toward elimination of the disease within the century.
![\"A](\"https://www.who.int/images/default-source/departments/department-of-communications/features/building-a-future-free-of-cervical-cancer-in-africa/who_20210301_nga-312.jpg?Status=Master&sfvrsn=c887e92b_6\")
A scientist works in the Department of Medical Laboratory Services at the general hospital in Minna, Nigeria. © WHO / Blink Media / Etinosa Yvonne
In Nigeria, WHO supported the development and implementation of the country’s national plan against cervical cancer.\r\n To help build the capacity of the health sector to address cervical cancer, WHO supported for the training of over 1000 care providers, ranging from midwifery graduates to medical directors. WHO also trains health officials in advocacy for the prevention\r\n and treatment of the disease, and provides evidence-based guidance and treatment tools.
Organizations like RAiSE Foundation are also working to improve access to cervical cancer screening and prevention in the country. The Foundation aims to\r\n increase awareness about issues affecting the survival and growth of women and girls in Nigeria. It was established by Dr Amina Abubakar Bello,\r\n a gynaecologist, obstetrician, and the first lady of Niger State. RAiSE offers financially accessible screenings, and any woman found with cancer or precancerous lesions is given free treatment.
![\"Patients](\"https://www.who.int/images/default-source/departments/department-of-communications/features/building-a-future-free-of-cervical-cancer-in-africa/who_20210210_guinea_cervical_cancer_prevention_03.jpg?Status=Master&sfvrsn=fb6bdee7_6\")
Patients wait for consultations at Donka University Hospital in Conakry, Guinea. © WHO / Blink Media / Ricci Shryock
In Guinea, cervical cancer is responsible for 40% of cancer diagnoses for women. The Francophone Regional Centre for Training and Prevention of Gynecological Cancers plays a key role in preventing and treating the disease in West Africa. Located at Donka\r\n University in Conakry, the centre offers screenings and treatment of precancerous and cancerous lesions, including surgical treatment and chemotherapy when necessary. Between 2007 and 2020, almost 30 000 women were screened for cervical cancer\r\n at the centre.\r\n
![\"Woman](\"https://www.who.int/images/default-source/departments/department-of-communications/features/building-a-future-free-of-cervical-cancer-in-africa/who_20210210_guinea_cervical_cancer_prevention_11.jpg?Status=Master&sfvrsn=28d7138f_6\")
Kadiatou Diallo speaks about cervical cancer prevention in Conakry, Guinea. © WHO / Blink Media / Ricci Shryock
Kadiatou Diallo is a cervical cancer survivor who received treatment at the centre. She was diagnosed in 2010\r\n and went into remission in 2012. Now, she makes sure to return for an annual check up every year, and she speaks openly to her colleagues and community about cervical cancer prevention.\r\n
The elimination of cervical cancer is within the reach of all countries. Through widespread access to HPV vaccination, screening, and treatment, girls who are born today could live to see a world free of this disease.\r\n
","MultimediaNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Title":"Building a future free of cervical cancer in Africa","NewsNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Summary":"The cervical cancer burden falls unequally on Africa, home to 19 of the 20 most affected countries globally. Read how WHO\u2019s Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative is responding.","MetaTitle":"Building a future free of cervical cancer in Africa","OtherRelated":"","OpenGraphDescription":"The disease can be eliminated with improved access to vaccination, screening and treatment.","MetaDescription":"The disease can be eliminated with improved access to vaccination, screening and treatment.","FactFileNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Highlight":"
Global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer
Sign up for the Cervical Cancer Free Future Newsletter
","Provider":"OpenAccessProvider","ThumbnailUrl":"/images/default-source/departments/who_20210301_nga-555.tmb-768v.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=3cb3f416_6","FormatedDate":"10 June 2021","TrimmedTitle":"Building a future free of cervical cancer in Africa"},{"Id":"b54aefa8-36a4-4efd-8a38-e5e4c3460724","LastModified":"2025-04-24T23:13:14Z","PublicationDate":"2018-06-02T02:47:35Z","DateCreated":"2018-06-02T02:47:33Z","IncludeInSitemap":true,"SystemSourceKey":null,"UrlName":"study-on-the-persistence-of-zika-virus-in-body-fluids","ItemDefaultUrl":"/study-on-the-persistence-of-zika-virus-in-body-fluids","FactSheetNumberOfAdditionalItems":1,"Subtitle":"","FeatureStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":3,"CommentaryNumberOfAdditionalItems":1,"PublicationDateAndTime":"2017-04-10T07:41:00Z","PhotoStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":1,"DocumentNumberOfAdditionalItems":1,"OpenGraphTitle":"Study on the persistence of Zika virus in body fluids","EventNumberOfAdditionalItems":1,"SourceKey":"/features/2017/zika-study","Content":"
Zika virus is the first virus known to be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito and through sex with an infected person.
Over the course of 2016, WHO along with the global research community quickly built evidence that Zika virus transmission through sex was not only possible, but more common than previously assumed. \r\n
But many questions still remain unanswered: How long does the virus stay in the body? Could the virus remain dormant in a person and reappear at a later stage? WHO is coordinating a research study in Brazil, called ZikaBra, to address these questions. The answers will help WHO sharpen its recommendations on how best to prevent Zika virus infection.\r\n
The research study will be carried out in three cities in Brazil: Rio de Janeiro (pictured above), Manaus and Recife. These cities meet the necessary characteristics to be part of the study; that is, areas with densely populated communities and where Zika virus activity was present in 2016. In addition, they also have proactive community health networks and laboratories able to perform complex tests on body fluids.\r\n
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/imported/health_care_adult-jpg.jpg?sfvrsn=b0890f6f_0\")
Adults who present with Zika virus symptoms at municipal health centres, emergency units and local neighbourhood clinics, like the one pictured above, will be asked to participate in the study. Their household contacts and their sexual partners also will be asked whether they would like to participate, regardless of presenting symptoms. Around 1300 volunteers in total are expected to be recruited in the 3 cities.\r\n
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/imported/research_team-jpg.jpg?sfvrsn=404d7115_0\")
The research team met at Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado, a centre dedicated exclusively to the diagnosis and treatment of tropical diseases, in Manaus before the launch of the study. The team discussed how nurses in the study will provide counselling and education to participants. Nurses will be trained to discuss intimate and sensitive issues with participants who will learn how Zika virus is transmitted and how to prevent infection and unwanted pregnancies.\r\n
Men and women with Zika signs or symptoms will be referred to the study nurse, who will ask whether they would like to participate in the study. They will be informed that they are: free to choose whether or not to participate in the research; can withdraw from the study at any time; and need to express their consent in writing (“informed consent”). They also will be asked whether the collected body fluids can be used in future research projects. This standard research procedure is helpful to conduct additional studies long after the initial study has been completed. All measures will be established and agreed on by national and WHO ethical committees to ensure that the interests of study participants are protected.\r\n
Zika virus has been found in body fluids such as blood, urine, semen, brain and spinal fluids, saliva, amniotic fluid/women’s waters and breast milk. Research has found that Zika virus can persist longer in urine and semen than in blood. A range of body fluids will be collected from participants over a period of 12 months. The samples will be tested for the presence of Zika virus and for the participants’ immune responses at different points in time.\r\n
The ZikaBra study is led by WHO in collaboration with the Brazilian Ministry of Health, Fiocruz (pictured above) and the Walter Reed U.S. Army Institute of Research. All of the partners make unique contributions. WHO, for example, has developed a generic protocol for measuring the persistence of Zika virus in body fluids so that results from research around the world can be compared, providing a global picture of Zika virus. The ZikaBra study was developed using this protocol. \r\n
The study results are expected by mid-2018. \r\n
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/funding/searo_exr_entomology.jpg?sfvrsn=e5487a46_3\")
WHO-supported entomology studies focus on understanding disease vectors in South-East Asia. ©Y. Srinivas Murty, Vector Control Research Centre
A well-trained workforce is essential for reaching universal health coverage. WHO supports training across the globe and across the professional spectrum.
This week we visit Samoa, where emergency medical teams are rehearsing for cyclone season; India, where trainees are learning to stop disease-carrying pests; and Malaysia, where health workers are gaining the skills to care for patients living with dementia.
Read on for those stories, along with reports of capacity building in Ethiopia, Haiti, Mauritania, Palestine and Zimbabwe.
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/funding/samoa_exr_training.jpg?sfvrsn=50b6855e_4\")
The team carries out a training exercise. ©WHO/Erin Noste
The Samoa Emergency Medical Team responded to a fictional cyclone scenario in November to cap off five days of training supported by WHO and the Australia and New Zealand governments.
The group rehearsed setting up and operating mobile clinics for a mass-casualty event.
“Trained medical responders who can reach affected populations quickly are extremely important in the effort to save lives during emergencies,” said Dr Kim Eva Dickson, WHO Head of Office in Samoa. Read more
WATCH THE VIDEO: In Samoa, medical emergency teams start their training
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/funding/mauritania_exr_floods.jpg?sfvrsn=e8228862_3\")
Floods in Nouakchott (above) coincided with an outbreak of Rift Valley fever. ©WHO
WHO’s Regional Office for Africa has helped train Mauritania’s new emergency-response teams to quickly locate and stop disease outbreaks before they can become epidemics.
Since August 2022, the teams have responded to eight emergencies, and in one case, headed off an outbreak of Rift Valley fever. The first sign of trouble was miscarriage among camels; the team immediately traveled to the scene and identified Rift Valley\r\n fever, a life-threatening virus that affects animal and humans.
“We had to act quickly to avoid the emergence of epidemics whose immediate effects and consequences are very serious for our population’s health,” said Dr Abbad El Moctar Mohamed, an epidemiologist with Mauritania’s ministry of\r\n health.
Similar WHO-supported training has been held in Botswana, Niger, Nigeria and Togo. Read more
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/funding/searo_exr_entomology-centre.jpg?sfvrsn=90404fce_3\")
A trainee peers into an apparatus used for feeding mosquito colonies. ©Y. Srinivas Murty, Vector Control Research Centre
WHO and partners are preparing entomologists and others who work in vector control to fight back better against mosquitoes and other disease-carrying bugs.
A recent training week at the Vector Control Research Center in Puducherry, India, drew participants from Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor Leste.
“The exchange of ideas with participants from different countries, learning from shared experiences and their best practices, helped us learn various strategies beyond borders,” said Dr Surajita Banerjee, State Entomologist from West Bengal,\r\n India.
Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and other insects disproportionately affect the world’s poor, particularly in tropical and subtropical areas. In WHO’s South-East Asia Region, vector-borne diseases of public importance include kala-azar,\r\n dengue, chikungunya, malaria, lymphatic filariasis and Japanese encephalitis. Read more
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/funding/palestine_exr_mental-health.jpg?sfvrsn=ae01cffa_3\")
Abdullah, a pediatric nurse at the European Gaza Hospital, treated a baby’s illness and his mother’s stress at the same time. ©WHO
Hundreds of health workers in Palestine are learning to identify and treat mental health conditions with support from WHO’s Mental Health Gap Action Programme and the Big Heart Foundation.
Palestine lacks the mental health facilities and services to keep up with demand. Training other health professionals to address signs of mental illness helps fill the gap.
“Since receiving the training, I am much more aware that physical and mental health problems can often be treated simultaneously,” said Ibrahim, an intensive care nurse at the European Gaza Hospital. “This is a new way of working for\r\n me and is helping me understand and treat my patients better. After all, the mind and body are very closely linked. One can’t do well without the other.” Read more
More from Palestine:
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/funding/palestine_exr_training.jpg?sfvrsn=b5a2bd4b_3\")
Since last August, more than 100 health workers in Palestine have been trained to use a new electronic health information system. The new tool has cut hassles for patients and staff and enabled faster, better-quality health care services. ©WHO
A new paperless system has dramatically streamlined patient-information management at three primary health facilities in the Gaza Strip. Physicians can now record patient history, display test results, write prescriptions, order tests, receive clinical\r\n reminders and print instructions – all through a single platform.
Patients who once dreaded doctor visits because of long queues and confusing paperwork have been pleasantly surprised by the smooth operation made possible by the new system.
“I came in, was given my number and saw the doctor without having to wait. Now, I’m on my way to the laboratory to get some tests,” said Riyad, a patient. “The doctor has already sent the test request to the laboratory, and I do\r\n not need to carry any papers there.” Read more
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/funding/haiti_exr_community-health-workers.jpg?sfvrsn=17d7685b_3\")
Community health workers at a training session in Haiti. ©PAHO
Hundreds of community health workers in Haiti have mobilized to stop cholera, with training supported by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
“We are on the ground, despite the difficult situation in the country,” said Esterline Dumézil, a community health worker since 2014. “This is our duty as community health workers, of which we are very proud.”
The workers disseminate life-saving information in most-affected communities and let people know how to prevent cholera and seek early treatment. The personal approach complements mass distribution of text messages, daily radio broadcasts and other outreach\r\n activities. Read more
Related: Zimbabwe strengthens capacity to fight cholera and typhoid outbreaks
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/funding/ethiopia_exr_community-health-insurance.jpg?sfvrsn=fe5d9d6a_3\")
Mother and daughter Meseret Belay and Misrak Fisseha found relief from overwhelming medical expenses through Ethiopia's community-based health insurance. ©WHO
Ethiopia is making progress toward universal health coverage by building its knowledge of financing for community-based health insurance – an effort supported with training from WHO, the World Bank and the P4H Social Health Protection Network.
Access to affordable health insurance has been steadily expanding in the country, saving many families from sinking under medical bills.
“This (insurance) has really helped our family to stay afloat,” said Misrak Fisseha of Addis Ababa, whose 68-year-old mother suffered a debilitating stroke in 2019. “I can now care for my mother and raise my daughter without having to\r\n worry about how to pay for medical expenses.” Read more
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/funding/malaysia_exr_dementia.jpg?sfvrsn=918734af_3\")
Dementia-care workers at training sessions in Malaysia. ©WHO
WHO has been collaborating with the Malaysia Ministry of Health and the Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia to provide dementia-care skills training. Participants learn the symptoms of dementia, person-centered care, effective communication\r\n and more.
“Sometimes, I, too, get upset. But then I remind myself that the difficult behavior is caused by the disease,” said Dilgeet Kaur A/P Garanan Singh, a caretaker at the Golden Age Welfare Association Malaysia. “We cannot change the personality\r\n of people living with dementia. We need to adapt our own behavior to match their personality.”
WHO has also developed iSupport, a manual to help people gain skills to care for those with dementia at home. \r\n Read more
WHO thanks all governments, organizations and individuals who are contributing to the Organization’s work, with special appreciation for those who provide fully flexible contributions to maintain a strong, independent WHO.
Donors and partners featured in this week’s stories include:
-Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia
-Australia Department of Foreign Affairs
-Australia Medical Assistance Team
-The Big Heart Foundation
-The European Gaza Hospital
-French Intensive Care Society
-Higherlife Foundation
-Indian Council of Medical Research
-New Zealand
-P4H Social Health Protection Network
-Save the Children
-Vector Control Research Center (VCRC)
-The World Bank
-World Vision
Read more stories about WHO’s impact across the world
Read more on flexible funds for a strong, agile and independent WHO
","Provider":"OpenAccessProvider","ThumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/funding/searo_exr_entomology.tmb-768v.jpg?sfvrsn=e5487a46_1","FormatedDate":"19 January 2023","TrimmedTitle":"Donors making a difference: building skills, building capacity"},{"Id":"01224808-b5ae-41e0-8277-2ec13b5e8494","LastModified":"2025-03-18T05:37:40Z","PublicationDate":"2020-12-14T16:23:36Z","DateCreated":"2020-12-14T16:23:36Z","IncludeInSitemap":true,"SystemSourceKey":null,"UrlName":"cuba-cooperation-between-who-and-the-european-union-boosts-response-to-covid-19","ItemDefaultUrl":"/cuba-cooperation-between-who-and-the-european-union-boosts-response-to-covid-19","FactSheetNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Subtitle":"","FeatureStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"CommentaryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"PublicationDateAndTime":"2020-11-06T10:00:00Z","PhotoStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"DocumentNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"OpenGraphTitle":"Cuba: Cooperation between WHO and the European Union boosts response to COVID-19","EventNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"SourceKey":null,"Content":"
The WHO Regional Office for the Americas recently announced a new cooperation agreement with the European Union in Cuba. Through the agreement, the EU will contribute 1 500 000 euros. The initiative is aimed at strengthening the response capabilities of the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) to fight COVID-19.
The EU has intensified its collaboration in Cuba since the beginning of the pandemic. In addition, the EU has been supporting food security and civil society in Cuba.
The project aims to increase national capacity to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing the availability of critical medical devices and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for health workers as well as improving national capacity to perform diagnostics, epidemiological surveillance and improve treatment protocols.
The initiative will strengthen the network of clinical diagnostic laboratories in health institutions throughout the country. It will also facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience between Cuban and European specialists on surveillance protocols, clinical management and treatment of COVID-19.
WHO thanks all donors and partners who have contributed to fund the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to combat COVID-19. A special appreciation goes to Member States and other contributors who provided flexible funds, making it possible for WHO to deliver a coherent, strategic and broad response.
Read more about the European Union’s cooperation with Cuba in the fight against COVID-19
Read more about WHO’s response to COVID-19
","MultimediaNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Title":"Cuba: Cooperation between WHO and the European Union boosts response to COVID-19","NewsNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Summary":"The WHO Regional Office for the Americas recently announced a new cooperation agreement with the European Union in Cuba. ","MetaTitle":"Cuba: Cooperation between WHO and the European Union boosts response to COVID-19","OtherRelated":"","OpenGraphDescription":"","MetaDescription":"","FactFileNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Highlight":"","Provider":"OpenAccessProvider","ThumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/cuba.tmb-768v.jpg?sfvrsn=22e60b1d_3","FormatedDate":"6 November 2020","TrimmedTitle":"Cuba: Cooperation between WHO and the European Union boosts response to COVID-19"},{"Id":"7d6f25a8-0604-4691-a380-b8c137673670","LastModified":"2025-04-23T07:31:06Z","PublicationDate":"2019-03-14T12:51:01Z","DateCreated":"2019-03-14T12:51:02Z","IncludeInSitemap":true,"SystemSourceKey":null,"UrlName":"how-does-who-work-amidst-conflict","ItemDefaultUrl":"/how-does-who-work-amidst-conflict","FactSheetNumberOfAdditionalItems":1,"Subtitle":"","FeatureStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":0,"CommentaryNumberOfAdditionalItems":1,"PublicationDateAndTime":"2019-03-14T12:00:00Z","PhotoStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":0,"DocumentNumberOfAdditionalItems":0,"OpenGraphTitle":"8 ways WHO supports health in Syria","EventNumberOfAdditionalItems":1,"SourceKey":null,"Content":"The Syrian crisis is one of the world’s biggest and most complex humanitarian emergencies. 8 years of conflict have taken a huge toll on a health system that was once among the best in the region. Here are 8 things to know about how WHO works in\r\n Syria to save lives and support health despite immense challenges.
![\"Health](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/imported/polio-lab-damascus-syria.tmb-768v.jpg?sfvrsn=4b5440d4_28\" "\\"polio")
WHO/L. Robertson
Health workers examine environmental samples at a polio laboratory in Damascus
Dangerously low vaccination rates in some areas, combined with a breakdown of water and sanitation systems and\r\n pockets of malnutrition, are making disease outbreaks in Syria more frequent and deadly.
Detecting outbreaks early and responding quickly saves lives. WHO supports over 1 700 health care facilities that report to a disease early warning system. Last year, outbreaks of measles, hepatitis A and typhoid fever were rapidly detected and curtailed.\r\n
In 2017, a case of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 was identified in Deir-ez-Zor governorate. In response, WHO and partners meticulously tracked the outbreak, engaged all parties in affected areas and organized mass polio vaccination campaigns\r\n that reached 2.6 million children - even in areas of active conflict. In late 2018, the outbreak was declared over. This achievement\r\n would not have been possible without the bravery and dedication of tens of thousands of local health workers.
![\"An](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/imported/air-lift-health-supplies-qamishli-syria.tmb-768v.jpg?sfvrsn=5a07c3cb_27\" "\\"air")
WHO
An airlift of 17 tonnes of health supplies for north-east Syria arrives in the city of Qamishli in February 2018
WHO works inside Syria and across its borders to deliver life-saving assistance to millions of Syrians. In 2014, the United Nations Security Council authorized the delivery of humanitarian aid to Syria from neighbouring countries. As a result,\r\n WHO is able to provide life-saving support in the conflict-torn north-west via operations managed by its hub in Gaziantep, Turkey.
In 2018 WHO delivered over 1900 tonnes of health supplies and equipment across Syria. The medicines included in these deliveries were enough for more than 10 million treatments, including 4.2 million shipped cross-border.
These supplies change lives. In northern Homs, six-month-old Shams recovered from malnutrition. In Aleppo, Salma received medication to stay healthy after giving birth to her first child. Nour, aged 11, displaced to Damascus, now has access to epilepsy medication. Two-year-old Ahmad from Raqqa is receiving life-saving cancer treatment.
![\"A](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/imported/syria-mobile-clinic.tmb-768v.jpg?sfvrsn=ad90c404_27\" "\\"Syria")
WHO
A mobile clinic provided to the Aleppo Directorate of Health provides care to children, women and men displaced from Afrin in March 2018
One way that WHO reaches vulnerable populations is by bringing health care to them via mobile clinics. These specially modified trucks are equipped with separate rooms for examinations and medical procedures and are usually staffed by doctor,\r\n nurses, and pharmacy assistants. They are a lifeline in areas that are remote or where public health facilities have been destroyed.
In 2018 WHO donated 8 mobile clinics to underserved areas. WHO also dispatched 36 ambulances and 75 mobile medical teams to camps and other priority areas.\r\n In addition, WHO’s hub in Gaziantep supports 16 mobile teams to reach rural areas, including 4 teams dedicated to mental health.\r\n Mobile teams can go where they are needed and respond quickly to changing conditions.
13.2 million people need health assistance in Syria, but millions lack access to it. Due to attacks or staff shortages, only about half of Syria’s public health facilities are fully functional. With over 80% of the population living below the poverty\r\n line, many people who need health care simply can’t afford the cost of transportation to reach properly equipped or specialized health care facilities.
In 2018 WHO rehabilitated 3 primary health care centres in Aleppo and rural Damascus,\r\n and a tuberculosis Centre in Aleppo. WHO also helped 9 hospitals in north-west Syria to resume\r\n services.
![\"A](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/imported/trauma-management-training-syria.tmb-768v.jpg?sfvrsn=143ee8d6_27\" "\\"trauma")
WHO
A trauma management training supported by WHO
Mass population displacements have contributed to a huge reduction\r\n of qualified medical personnel in Syria. For example, Idleb and Aleppo have only 26% of the recommended number of health care workers per 10 000 people required to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. Specialized services such as internal\r\n medicine, cardiology and care for chronic diseases are especially affected. In 2018, WHO trained 30 865 people on a wide range of health issues to help address these gaps.
![\"Damascus](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/imported/damascus-tamayoz-children.tmb-768v.jpg?sfvrsn=e6769f9b_27\" "\\"Damascus")
WHO
Children who’ve been displaced to Damascus participate in psychosocial support activities at Tamayoz Social Care Association, an NGO assisted by WHO
WHO estimates that, as a result of prolonged exposure to violence, one in 30 people in Syria is suffering from a severe mental health condition and at least one in 5 is suffering from a mild to moderate mental health condition.
In north-west Syria there are only 3 trained psychiatrists and only 2 facilities providing inpatient services for acute and severe cases of mental illness. WHO is training health care providers,\r\n delivering psychotropic medicines, providing salaries and running costs for mobile teams and one specialized hospital.
Across the country WHO is supporting the integration of mental health services into primary health care and community centres. More than 520 health facilities in Syria are now providing mental health and psychosocial support services.
![\"A](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/imported/damascus-syria-rehabilitation-centre.tmb-768v.jpg?sfvrsn=ce0dacb2_27\" "\\"Damascus")
WHO
A technician fits Ismail, 17, from Qamishli, for a prosthetic foot
As the conflict drags on, the number of people with injuries and disabilities continues to grow. In some parts of the country, rates of disability have reportedly risen to up to 30% of the population - double the global average.
WHO is procuring and distributing supplies to produce artificial limbs, and is working to restore damaged physical rehabilitation centres.\r\n WHO also supports a partner that manages 5 health facilities in north Syria that provide physical rehabilitation services.
![\"WHO](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/imported/assessment-settlement-east-ghouta-syria.tmb-768v.jpg?sfvrsn=40822ce9_27\" "\\"assessment")
WHO
WHO and partners work together to conduct an assessment at an informal settlement hosting families displaced from East Ghouta
WHO leads the humanitarian Health Cluster in Syria, coordinating hundreds of international and national partners to deliver health assistance. This leadership role helps increase the coordination, efficiency, and overall impact of the health\r\n sector.\r\n
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/funding/afghanistan_exr.jpg?sfvrsn=c8b1d3e8_1\")
The large pool of unvaccinated children in Afghanistan, while decreasing, still represents a major risk for transmission of wild poliovirus. Above: A polio vaccinator marks a home to show that the children living there have been vaccinated. ©UNICEF
Countries are redoubling their efforts to keep children safe from polio in the wake of disruptions to childhood immunization programmes caused by COVID-19, natural disasters and conflicts.
The recent \r\nreappearance of poliovirus in the United States and other countries long\r\n free of the paralyzing disease are “a disturbing reminder that until \r\npolio is eradicated everywhere, it remains a threat everywhere,” said \r\nWHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Support from contributors – among them the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the US Centers for Disease Control, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and Rotary International – is helping countries reach children with vaccines and monitor\r\n communities for the presence of wild and vaccine-derived poliovirus.
Polio and other infectious diseases are presenting a special threat in Pakistan, where months of floods have brought on a humanitarian crisis. In August, WHO allocated US$ 10 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE) to help Pakistan\r\n respond. The CFE is fueled by flexible contributions from 16 Member States. The fund’s top contributors are the United States and Germany.
Good news comes this week from Sudan, where health officials marked the end of a polio outbreak.
Worldwide, polio cases have dropped 99 percent since the founding in 1988 of the public-private Global Polio Eradication Initiative – of which WHO is a core partner. The fight against wild poliovirus is concentrated in Afghanistan and\r\n Pakistan, where the virus is still endemic.
This week, we touch upon efforts to stop polio in Afghanistan, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Read more:
WHO releases US$ 10 million in emergency funding to help flood victims
WHO webpage on the Pakistan crisis (who.int)
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/funding/poliovaccination_sudan.jpg?sfvrsn=1c9100eb_3\")
A baby gets her polio vaccination in Sudan Photo: ©WHO/Sudan\r\n
Sudan this week celebrated the end of a poliovirus outbreak that the country defeated with a vigorous campaign of child vaccination and disease surveillance, supported by WHO and other partners.
The outbreak began in March 2020 when the virus spread from Nigeria via Chad to Sudan. By the end of 2020, the outbreak reported its last case. An outbreak is considered over when poliovirus is not detected anywhere in the country for at least a year.
Sudan will continue disease surveillance, which involves testing sewage runoff for the virus and monitoring the population for symptoms – until chains of poliovirus transmission elsewhere in the world are interrupted.
Video from Sudan: “To eradicate a disease, you have to search for it.”\r\n
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/funding/afghanistan_nurse-mohammad-rashaida_exr.jpg?sfvrsn=7c1b52d3_3\")
The remote health worker: \"The roads are very difficult, and the weather is hot. In the coming week we will do another day in the remote areas so we can accomplish our mission,” said nurse Mohammad Rashaida of the Bedouin community of Arab al-Rashaida. ©WHO\r\n
The registrar. The vaccinator. The mother. The father. The grandparent. The cold-chain manager. The remote health worker.
Read the story of a vaccination campaign in this culturally, environmentally diverse land through the faces and voices of those\r\n who took part.
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/funding/tajikistan_exr.jpg?sfvrsn=87550ffc_1\")
A health worker in Tajikistan. ©WHO
Detection of just one case of polio is considered an outbreak and requires an immediate, comprehensive response. Read about how Tajikistan squelched an outbreak with help from WHO and other Global Polio Eradication Initiative partners.
“This outbreak and the subsequent response came at a time when the health system was already overstretched by the COVID-19 pandemic and the country was mounting a massive COVID-19 vaccination drive,” said Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional\r\n Director for Europe. “Both outbreak responses had to be done without disrupting the vitally important provision of other routine vaccines to children.”
MAP: Polio outbreaks worldwide The latest data comes from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
Video: What is vaccine-derived poliovirus?
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/funding/afghanistan_dr-abdinoor_exr.png?sfvrsn=62a01ec8_2\")
A team of experts recently visited Afghanistan to review the country’s polio surveillance system. Dr Abdinoor Mohamed, an epidemiologist with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, kept a diary of the work.
We’re here to apply a magnifying glass to Afghanistan’s surveillance system, to see if there’s anywhere the virus might still be hiding and recommend adjustments to make sure the system is capable of catching it, he wrote.
Related: The challenges of polio surveillance in Yemen
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/funding/somalia_mogodishu_exr.jpg?sfvrsn=d943e098_1\")
Health workers collect wastewater samples in Mogadishu to check for poliovirus. ©WHO/Ilyas Ahmed
Somalia has been protecting millions of small children from polio through special immunization days that WHO and UNICEF have helped organize.
Reaching every child, especially those who have no vaccination history, is challenging for the country’s fragile health system, and the national immunization days give the effort a boost, said WHO Somalia Representative Dr Sk Md Mamunur Rahman\r\n Malik.\r\n
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/funding/cameroon_exr.jpg?sfvrsn=4f1cf04e_1\")
During recent polio vaccination campaigns in Cameroon. UNICEF/Frank Dejongh
Video: Polio vaccinators make their rounds in Cameroon
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/funding/malawi-mozambique_exr.jpg?sfvrsn=72f92f91_2\")
At the Malawi-Mozambique border, health worker Douglas Alimoyo provides the polio vaccine to children on the move. ©WHO/Marta Villa Monge
Vaccination campaigns are being carried out across southern Africa following Malawi’s detection earlier this year of its first wild poliovirus case in 30 years. The participating countries are Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
“Every effort is being made to vaccinate every eligible child. This is a dangerous disease with no cure, but full vaccination can prevent paralysis,” said Dr Modjirom Ndoutabe, Polio Programme Coordinator at the WHO Regional Office for\r\n Africa. “We are supporting these five countries to deliver quality and effective vaccination campaigns, which will safeguard children and stamp out the virus.”
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/funding/malawi_exr.jpg?sfvrsn=469e394a_3\")
Health worker Mirriam Golozela sets out to vaccinate children for polio in Malawi. ©UNICEF
Related:
Video: Follow Macron Chauluka, a health worker on the frontlines of Malawi’s fight against polio
Ramping up polio outbreak response in southern Africa
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/funding/drc_exr.jpg?sfvrsn=99f7e647_1\")
In late July, a community worker informs residents about a polio vaccination campaign in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo. ©UNICEF/Jean-Claude Wenga
***
WHO thanks all governments, organizations and individuals who are contributing to the Organization’s\r\n work, and in particular those who have provided fully flexible contributions to\r\n maintain a strong, independent WHO.
Donors and partners featured in this week’s stories include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the US Centers for Disease Control, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Rotary International, UNICEF and UNRWA.
The following contributors have funded WHO’s work to fight polio since 2020: African Development Bank Group, African Field Epidemiology Network, Al Ansari Exchange, Australia, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Canada, Crown Prince of\r\n Abu Dhabi, Egypt, the European Commission, European Investment Bank, Germany, Islamic Development Bank, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, National Philanthropic Trust, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, OPEC Fund for International Development,\r\n Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Donna L Rengh Revocable Trust, Rotary International, Spain, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, UN Foundation, UNICEF, United Kingdom, UNDP Multi-Partner Trust Fund, UN Fund\r\n for International Partnerships, United States of America, World Bank.
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Read more stories about WHO’s impact across the world
Read more on flexible funds for a strong, agile and independent WHO
WHO has launched a global survey to gather views on the most necessary and useful assistive technologies such as hearing aids and wheel chairs. The survey will feed into the first ever WHO mandated list of essential assistive technologies to provide a tool for governments. Governments can use the list to plan and focus efforts to help populations acquire the 50 priority products, thereby improving the everyday lives of the elderly and people with disabilities.
\r\n![\"Morten](\"http://who.int/features/2016/assistive-technology.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nMorten Bjorkman is 92 years old and lives in Stockholm. Since his wife died, when he was 77, he has lived on his own. While his 2 daughters and their families have helped him over the years, Mr Bjorkman wanted to be independent and live life on his own terms. Assistive technologies and devices have helped him do that.
\r\n\r\nMr Bjorkman started using a hearing aid at 70 and at the same time installed grab bars in the bathroom and a shower seat. Soon after, he acquired a walking cane, orthopaedic shoes and a walker to get around more safely but also keep moving and stay healthy.
\r\n\r\nHis daughters encouraged him to get a personal emergency alarm on his wrist that is connected by phone to local health services. “I often stumbled at home … and there was a risk that I would fall,” said Mr Bjorkman. “I once got severe shortness of breath due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and needed quick help and care – the alarm saved my life. It is not just an assistive device – more than that, it’s a life-saving tool.”
\r\n\r\nThese practical tools – some low, some higher technologies – are becoming increasingly necessary to the many people in high- and middle-income countries who are living longer due to better healthcare. Similar devices are used by people with disabilities, allowing them to live more autonomously and participate in their communities.
\r\n\r\nHowever, such tools are not readily available everywhere. WHO estimates that only 1 out of 10 people who need these vital supports are accessing them today, due to lack of availability and awareness, and high costs.
\r\n\r\nTo that end, WHO has launched a global survey to gather people’s views on which assistive devices are most necessary and useful. On the basis of the survey results, and after expert consultation, WHO will develop a list of essential assistive products, similar to the WHO Essential Medicines List.
\r\n\r\nThe tool will help governments to plan and focus efforts on acquiring the 50 top priority products for their populations and, most importantly, it will improve the everyday lives of the elderly and the many people with disabilities. The aim is to increase access to assistive technologies for 1 billion people who need them today, and to reach 1.5 billion by 2030.
\r\n\r\nTake the survey
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\r\nMore about assistive health technology
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Sub-Saharan African leaders in the highest burden countries are moving quickly to adopt the “High burden to high impact” (HBHI) approach to jumpstart progress against malaria. Actions focus on translating political commitment into tangible actions, better use of strategic information to drive impact, implementation of the best global guidance, policies and strategies as well\r\n as improved coordination.\r\n
In Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni last year launched the Mass Action Against Malaria initiative, which empowers citizens to play their role in preventing malaria and contributing to better quality health services. Mr Museveni has also acknowledged\r\n his own responsibility for creating a malaria-free Uganda.
Niger launched its national “Zero Malaria Starts with Me” campaign in 2018 under the leadership of the country’s President Issoufou Mahamadou and First Lady Aïssata Issoufou Mahamadou, who declared her commitment to mobilize action at the community level. Cameroon, Ghana, Mozambique, Niger and others are also building social and political movements\r\n to end malaria.
High-level meetings in 2019 have brought together national, local and traditional leaders, academics and malaria experts in seven countries (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria and Uganda) to agree on concrete actions in the HBHI\r\n response. Similar meetings will be held in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali and United Republic of Tanzania over the coming months.
Countries that have launched the HBHI approach have started developing national malaria database repositories that draw on health systems, routine information, programmatic, survey, research and climate data to help understand the geographic distribution\r\n of the disease and the impact of interventions. Strengthening the use of available data for decision making will help identify the best mix of interventions and drive continuous improvement of quality data.
In line with WHO’s push for universal health coverage and primary health care, HBHI will play an important role in ensuring that people who are most in need get access to the right interventions, including insecticide-treated nets and medicines.\r\n \r\n
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria encourages malaria programmes to adopt the HBHI approach when requesting funding and use local data to identify the mix of interventions and optimal means of delivery. HBHI is supported by WHO, the RBM Partnership to End Malaria and other partners.
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As COVID-19 case numbers and deaths continue to fluctuate, the virus still poses a major threat in all regions. WHO remains committed to providing assistance to those who need it the most. This week we highlight ongoing activities in countries around the world with WHO’s support thanks to the vital funding from its many donors:
WHO and Canada boost maintenance of essential health services for women, girls and vulnerable populations in Ethiopia during COVID-19 pandemic
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/ethiopia.jpg?sfvrsn=c10dcc4_3&Status=Master\")
Published by WHO/AFRO on 16 February 2021
WHO and Canada recently signed an agreement to ensure functional health services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia. Canada will provide WHO a grant amounting to 9.9 million Canadian dollars to strengthen the country’s primary health care capacity to deliver essential health services. The assistance will particularly benefit women, girls and vulnerable populations, while maintaining an effective response to COVID-19.
In addition, Canada’s support will provide frontline health workers with training, medicine, equipment, and personal protective equipment to prevent, detect, and respond to COVID-19.
WHO supports heroes campaign in Nigeria to help survivors demystify COVID-19 virus and fight stigmatization
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/nigeria.jpg?sfvrsn=7888c14b_5&Status=Master\")
Published by WHO/AFRO on 11 February 2021
In Nigeria and many other countries, the stigma that accompanies testing positive for COVID-19 remains high. In one recent case the fear of being shunned after contracting the disease almost drove survivor Usman Sadiq to take his own life.
To help fight the severe stigma some patients face in the country, WHO is supporting the government to identify with and celebrate survivors of COVID-19 in its ‘Heroes’ Campaign’, which Mr Sadiq is now a proud member of. The campaign aims to de-stigmatize COVID-19 survivors, increase risk perception and drive home the realities of the outbreak.
Meanwhile, WHO continues to provide technical support to the country including capacity building, clinical management of cases in treatment centres and at home, risk communication and community engagement, contact tracing, active surveillance in communities as well as sensitization and referral of suspected COVID-19 cases.
EU and WHO join forces to ensure deployment of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination in six European countries
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/azerbaijan.jpg?sfvrsn=d390bc76_5&Status=Master\")
Published by WHO/EURO on 11 February 2021. WHO affiliated doctors in Azerbaijan.
The European Union (EU) and the WHO Regional Office for Europe will work together in a major effort to support deployment of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination in the six EU Eastern Partnership countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. The project, funded by the EU and implemented by the Regional Office, will cover all phases of COVID-19 vaccine deployment and vaccination. It will also serve as a major investment to strengthen routine immunization systems in the six countries.
With a total budget of €40 million over a three-year period, this is the largest EU and WHO joint action ever implemented in the European Region. It will complement ongoing and forthcoming work through global and regional solidarity initiatives, such as the WHO co-led COVAX Facility and the EU sharing mechanism, to ensure access to vaccines in these countries.
WHO supports Iraq with life-saving medical supplies to boost fight against COVID-19
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/iraq1bfd5880-114d-403d-8339-16f0dc9b7f65.png?sfvrsn=356d760a_5&Status=Master\")
Published by WHO/EMRO on 21 February 2021
WHO recently delivered a shipment of medical supplies and equipment to the Ministry of Health of Iraq to support its COVID-19 national preparedness and response amid a sharp increase in the number of infections and concerns over the emergence of a new variant.
Following previous shipments in 2020, the new delivery includes intensive care supplies and equipment as well as spare parts for oxygen concentrators. The consignment also includes personal protective equipment, electrocardiograph devices, oximeters, hospital bedding, furniture, and patient monitors.
This timely support to the people of Iraq would not have been possible without the generous contributions of the Government and the people of the State of Kuwait, the Government and the people of Germany, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
In addition, WHO recently handed over 13 tons of medical supplies and equipment to the Ministry of Health in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
The shipment, worth US$ 1 million, will support health facilities in the region with personal protective equipment (PPE), COVID-19 diagnostic kits, oxygen concentrators, oximeters, intensive care beds and devices, hospital bedding and related medical furniture, patient monitors, and other items.
WHO sends tests to Brazil to support COVID-19 testing among migrants and refugees
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/brazil.jpg?sfvrsn=5f39dcff_3&Status=Master\")
Published by WHO/PAHO on 19 Feb 2021
The WHO Regional Office for the Americas has been providing assistance to Brazilian authorities to strengthen testing capacity among migrant and refugee populations.
Part of Brazil’s humanitarian response to the flow of Venezuelans to the country, the initiative includes the donation of material as well as logistical and personal support from national agencies, international organizations and civil society including WHO, the UN Agency for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), UNICEF, UNFPA and others.
WHO recently provided approximately 250 000 rapid tests to strengthen the testing capacity of four Brazilian states: Amazonas, Pernambuco, Roraima and Rondônia.
WHO fights COVID-19 infodemic among refugees by supporting Cox’s Bazar community radio in Bangladesh
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/cox-bazar.jpg?sfvrsn=6d7b1445_3&Status=Master\")
Published by WHO/WPRO on 11 February 2021
In Cox’s Bazar, one of the world’s largest refugee camps and a high risk location for COVID-19, BBC Media Action is helping encourage informed decision-making and positive behaviour change during the COVID-19 crisis to fight the wave of misinformation that has accompanied the pandemic.
Every week, WHO and UNICEF provide English and Bangla versions of a radio script on COVID-19 among refugee, host communities, and partners for wider dissemination through the Rohingya community.
WHO also works with UNHCR and the Community Health Working Group to implement a strategy to strengthen community engagement, while supporting the 1500 Community Health Workers (CHWs) who conduct more than 140 000 household visits per week in the refugee camps. Refugee Community Health Workers have been the backbone of the health response within the Rohingya refugee camps throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHO continues to support enhancing of COVID-19 testing capacity in Viet Nam
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/viet-nam.jpg?sfvrsn=1fde863c_3&Status=Master\")
Published by WHO/WPRO on 20 February 2021. A sample collection using WHO’s sponsored sample collection kit ©WHO/Loan Tran
To support Viet Nam’s response to the current outbreak of COVID-19, WHO recently provided additional laboratory supplies to scale up testing in affected provinces.
WHO handed over 2 800 specimen collection kits to the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) for distribution to provinces.
Strong testing capability is an essential tool for addressing the challenges presented by this pandemic and for protecting populations. WHO remains committed in sustaining its support to the country not only in delivering supplies but also in continuing to provide technical assistance in the pandemic response.
Five European countries strengthen health supply chains with support from UNICEF and WHO
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/moldova.jpg?sfvrsn=17aaf081_5&Status=Master\")
Published by WHO/EURO on 08 February 2021. A pharmacist reviewing stocks, Republic of Moldova ©WHO/Igor Vrabie
The WHO Regional Office for Europe and UNICEF Supply Division have extended their support to Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova and Uzbekistan in optimizing the performance of their supply chains to ensure timely delivery of medicines and health products.
Countries in the European Region had repeatedly experienced supply chain challenges, such as shortages of antigens, stockouts and interruptions in immunization services despite marked improvements over the last decade. The unfolding COVID-19 pandemic has further disrupted international, regional and local supply chains, undermining national response efforts and putting a strain on other critical and routine health interventions.
To address these barriers, UNICEF and WHO, with the support of The Global Fund, are uniting technical resources and expertise to support health authorities of those five countries. The integrated teams will establish the development needs in the countries’ supply chain management systems, identifying and quantifying their supply chain strengths, gaps, and opportunities as the basis for planning improvements and next steps.
Without the support of donors and partners, WHO would not be able to reach these countries in need and help them make it through the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHO thanks all governments, organizations and individuals contributing to the COVID-19 response around the world, and in particular those who have provided fully flexible contributions, to ensure a comprehensive fight against the disease.
Member States and observers:
Afghanistan, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belize, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, European Commission, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Guinea, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Mauritania, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Sao Tome and Principe, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Viet Nam, Yemen.
Other Partners:
African Development Bank Group, Africa Reinsurance Foundation, Asian Development Bank, Alwaleed Philanthropies, Ancash, Banco Centroamericano de Integracion Economica (BCIE), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, CAF- Development Bank of Latin America, Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Clinton Health Access Initiative, COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, East African Community, Fond d’Assistance Economique et Sociale (FAES), Fondo Mixto, Fundación Yamuni Tabush, Gavi Alliance, Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria, International Organization for Migration (IOM) Islamic Development Bank, King Baudouin Foundation, King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Center (KSrelief Saudi Arabia), National Philanthropic Trust, Novartis, OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), Pandemic Tech, Shell Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Sandoz AG, Sony, Southern African Development Community, Standard Chartered Bank, Supply Chain Fund, Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, Tetra Pak Export FZE, UNDP Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF), United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU), United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Vital Strategies, World Bank, World Food Programme.
Read more about donors and partners contributing to the COVID-19 response
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Read more about WHO's response to COVID-19 across the world
Donors and partners contributing to the COVID-19 response
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Olympic champion David Rudisha has announced his participation in the 5th WHO Walk the Talk: Health for All Challenge event in Geneva on Sunday 26 May 2024.
“I am so happy to announce that I will be taking part in the Walk the Talk: Health for All Challenge, organized by the World Health Organization, on Sunday morning 26 May in Geneva. This public event will be fun, free and friendly, open to people of all ages, and a great way to celebrate the power of physical activity for healthy lifestyles,” said Rudisha, two-time Olympic gold medallist at 800 metres and the world-record holder at that distance.
And Rudisha is planning a special treat on the day for those who fancy their running abilities: “I would like to invite any runners to join me in a “master class”, starting from Place des Nations.”
His run will begin at 9:45 a.m. Join him at the starting line!
“As a proud Kenyan and Olympic champion, I am so happy to be taking part in the Walk the Talk to help celebrate the Paris Olympics and my late, great brother and friend, Kelvin Kiptum. I can’t wait to see you in Geneva.”
Rudisha is among a range of sporting stars taking part in this year’s annual Walk the Talk health promotion event.
![\"Infographic](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/campaigns---walk-the-talk/walk-the-talk/wtt-geneva-2024/wtt24-david-rudisha.jpg?sfvrsn=63abff50_3\")
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What are the WHO Air quality guidelines?
The World Health Organization’s Air quality guidelines (AQG) serve as a global target for national, regional and city governments to work towards improving their citizen’s health by reducing air pollution.
Why does WHO publish Air quality guidelines?
Clean air is a basic human right. Yet, air pollution continues to pose a significant threat to people worldwide – it is the greatest environmental threat to health and a leading cause of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart attacks or stroke. According to the World Health Organization, there are 7 million premature deaths every year due to the combined effects of outdoor and household air pollution– with millions more people falling ill from breathing polluted air. More than half of these deaths are recorded in developing countries.
WHO regularly integrates scientific evidence on air pollution’s health impacts as well as monitors countries air quality progress. The recommendations included in the WHO Air quality guidelines are based on systematic literature reviews and subsequent rigorous evaluation methods as well as extensive consultation with experts and end-users of the guidelines from all regions of the world.
Ahead of the publication of the 2021 WHO Air Quality guidelines, here is a breakdown of what they are and how governments can use them.
What is air pollution?
Air pollution is a complex mixture of solid particles, liquid droplets, as well as gases. It can come from many sources for example: household fuel burning, industrial chimneys, traffic exhausts, power generation, open burning of waste, agricultural practices, desert dust and many other sources.
Different sources can lead to different mixtures of air pollution. For example, an urban city near to the sea can have particulate matter consisting of sea salt, road dust and smoke from diesel engines. In contrast, a rural area near to a forest may have particulate matter consisting of soil, smoke from cookstoves and forest fires.
Air pollutants measured include PM2.5 and PM10 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter of equal or less than 2.5, also called fine, and 10 micrometre respectively), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and sulfur dioxide (SO2).
What is the effects of air pollution on human health?
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can penetrate through the lungs and further enter the body through the blood stream, affecting all major organs.
Exposure to PM2.5 can cause diseases both to our cardiovascular and respiratory system, provoking, for example stroke, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
New research has also shown an association between prenatal exposure to high levels of air pollution and developmental delay at age three, as well as psychological and behavioural problems later on, including symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety and depression.
How are the guidelines developed?
The WHO Air quality guidelines are a set of evidence-based recommendations of limit values for specific air pollutants developed to help countries achieve air quality that protects public health. The first release of the guidelines was in 1987. Since then, several updated versions have appeared and the latest global version was published in 2005. WHO updates the Air Quality Guidelines on a regular basis so as to assure their continued relevance and to support a broad range of policy options for air-quality management in various parts of the world, especially taking into account the breadth of new health studies that have been published in the meanwhile.
The 2021 update of the WHO air quality guidelines is in response to the real and continued threat of air pollution to public health.
According to WHO rules and procedures for guidelines development, several expert groups are established, each one with a very specific function. The selection of which pollutants to update is agreed upon by one group, in this case, particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Other teams of experts draft the background material — the literature reviews and its assessment— which is reviewed and commented by the main group of experts.
Based on the background materials and the comments, another Expert Group agrees on the format and contents of the updated guidelines and recommended changes in the text supporting the guidelines.
What do the guidelines recommend?
The WHO Air quality guidelines recommend levels and interim targets for common air pollutants: PM, O3, NO2, and SO2.
Recommended 2021 AQG levels compared to 2005 air quality guidelines
![\"Table_Pollutants_AQGs\"](\"https://www.who.int/images/default-source/air-pollution/air-quality-and-health/pollutants_2005_2021_new.jpg?sfvrsn=5c76524d_7&Status=Master\")
μg = microgram
a 99th percentile (i.e. 3–4 exceedance days per year).
b Average of daily maximum 8-hour mean O3 concentration in the six consecutive months with the highest six-month running- average O3 concentration.
Note: Annual and peak season is long-term exposure, while 24 hour and 8 hour is short-term exposure.
How can governments use them?
Governments across the world use the guidelines in different ways depending on their technical capabilities, economic capacity, air quality management policies and other political and social factors. Before adopting the WHO guideline values as legally based standards, governments should consider their unique, local conditions.
What do the guidelines aim to achieve?
Although the guidelines are neither standards nor legally binding criteria, they are designed to offer guidance in reducing the health impacts of air pollution based on expert evaluation of current scientific evidence.
These guidelines incorporate scientific evidence from multiple countries, which makes them relevant to the diverse conditions around the world and capable of supporting a broad range of policy options for air quality management.
They are intended to be used in diverse conditions in all WHO’s regions and to support a broad range of policy options for air quality management. Knowledge about the hazardous properties of the pollutants and indication of the risk related to exposure, provide an essential scientific contribution for air quality management.
Significant health benefits can be achieved by reducing a population’s exposure to air pollution. Addressing air pollution through policy actions in energy, transport, waste management, agriculture and urban planning can also uncover additional co-benefits for health, climate mitigation and sustainable economic development.
Additional resources:
Air quality guidelines global update 2021
Air quality guidelines global update 2005
WHO Factsheet: Ambient (outdoor) air pollution
The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa today launched the first online training for emergency responders to bolster efforts in tackling the virus. The two-hour session via video link drew 500 participants and focused on the clinical symptoms of the virus, how to triage COVID-19 cases, treat complications, manage severely ill patients, laboratory testing strategy as well as quarantine strategies.
In addition, WHO in Africa launched a 10-point strategy calling for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to ease the deployment of staff and shipment of supplies as well as urging governments and the private sector to boost medical supplies and equipment. The Organization also announced plans to train more health emergency responders, including through online sessions. WHO also requested countries to expand the numbers of health workers deployed by re-purposing staff, increasing public health education to help communities stay safe and protect others, and identifying and equipping facilities to treat and isolate patients.
","MultimediaNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Title":"WHO launches online training for COVID-19 responders and 10-point strategy","NewsNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Summary":"","MetaTitle":"WHO launches online training for COVID-19 responders and 10-point strategy","OtherRelated":"","OpenGraphDescription":"","MetaDescription":"","FactFileNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Highlight":"
WHO work in the African Region
","Provider":"OpenAccessProvider","ThumbnailUrl":"/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/for-online-training.tmb-768v.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=de859d35_12","FormatedDate":"1 April 2020","TrimmedTitle":"WHO launches online training for COVID-19 responders and 10-point strategy"},{"Id":"9c876a18-f7d1-4c72-9dff-a916d7032583","LastModified":"2025-04-14T05:30:33Z","PublicationDate":"2023-07-25T10:37:38Z","DateCreated":"2023-07-25T10:37:38Z","IncludeInSitemap":true,"SystemSourceKey":null,"UrlName":"renewed-hope-for-all-people-living-with-viral-hepatitis-in-ghana","ItemDefaultUrl":"/renewed-hope-for-all-people-living-with-viral-hepatitis-in-ghana","FactSheetNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Subtitle":"","FeatureStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"CommentaryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"PublicationDateAndTime":"2023-07-28T05:00:00Z","PhotoStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"DocumentNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"OpenGraphTitle":"Renewed hope for all people living with viral hepatitis in Ghana","EventNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"SourceKey":null,"Content":"
In his village, Uwasi, in Ghana’s Upper East Region, Thomas Abanga*, 27, has seen all too often how viral hepatitis can bring tragedy.
“I have attended funerals of friends and family members who died from viral hepatitis. So when I was diagnosed with hepatitis C, I lost hope and thought I would die anytime soon,” says Thomas.
However, 2 years after his diagnosis, Thomas is beaming healthily, thanks to Ghana’s growing hepatitis C response.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, with causes including viruses and other infections, alcohol and certain drugs. It leads to a range of health problems, some of which can be fatal.
Globally, 90% of people living with viral hepatitis do not know they have it, and 3 000 people die of the disease every day. WHO’s global hepatitis strategy, endorsed by all WHO Member States, aims to reduce new hepatitis infections by 90% and deaths by 65% between 2016 and 2030.
In 2019, an estimated 1.2 million new hepatitis infections and 125 000 hepatitis- B and C related deaths occurred in the African Region. In recognition of this burden, the need for a comprehensive response is included in the Framework for an Integrated Multisectoral Response to TB, HIV, STIs, and Hepatitis in the WHO African Region, where more than 91 million Africans are living with hepatitis.
In Ghana, viral hepatitis is a major health concern for health authorities. Hepatitis B is hyper-endemic, with an estimated prevalence in the population of 9.1%. Hepatitis C also poses a high burden, with an estimated prevalence of 3.3%.
Hepatitis disproportionately affects the people of northern Ghana. Here, poverty and inequitable access to quality healthcare services mean people are more vulnerable to infections than in other parts of the country.
At present, there is no effective vaccine against hepatitis C. However, early diagnosis and treatment can cure over 95% of people, which also helps prevent further transmission of the virus. In Ghana, despite high rates of infection, testing and treatment for hepatitis B and C have historically been very low due to the high costs of services and limited access to treatment. This is now changing due to a dedicated effort by the government to tackle the disease.
The increasing burden of hepatitis infections requires urgent action at all levels to protect people and communities. In 2017, the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, through the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP), and with support and technical guidance from WHO, developed national guidelines for the prevention, care and treatment of viral hepatitis.
Dissemination of these guidelines has helped to improve the knowledge of health care workers and bridge gaps in access to treatment, as there were limited healthcare workers able to administer treatments across the country. Progress has been made but more health worker training is needed.
In March 2023, the government of Ghana, with support from the government of Egypt, WHO, and other partners, launched the ‘STOP Hep C Ghana Project’. This initiative reaches out across the nation, from cities to villages, providing free treatment for hepatitis C across all levels of care to all Ghanaians with active infection.
The STOP Hep C Ghana project has provided life-changing hepatitis C drugs and regular counselling from treatment locations to 220 people close to where they live. A further 780 people are also expected to benefit from free treatment project by end of 2023.
“The hepatitis C treatment project is the first person-centred intervention by the government that responds directly to the needs of people affected by hepatitis. We are exploring partnerships to support delivery so that eliminating hepatitis in Ghana can be put on sound footing,” says Dr Atsu Seake-Kwawu, Programme Manager of the NVHCP.
In addition, the country is making strong progress to combat hepatitis B, for which there is a vaccine. Ghana has 99% coverage through the infant routine vaccination programme and is planning to introduce the hepatitis B vaccine at birth soon. Additionally, a testing and treatment programme for hepatitis B is being proposed.
In line with its guidelines, WHO has provided financial and technical support to the NVHCP since 2011, including capacity building for healthcare workers and awareness raising on how to manage and prevent hepatitis.
“As WHO, we are excited that the fight against viral hepatitis is fast gaining momentum in Ghana. Alongside efforts to make treatment available across the country, we continue to support Ghana to do more on viral hepatitis prevention and risk reduction,” says Professor Francis Kasolo, WHO Representative to Ghana.
* Name changed for privacy reasons
","MultimediaNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Title":"Renewed hope for all people living with viral hepatitis in Ghana","NewsNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Summary":"Meet Thomas Abanga, a young Ghanaian living with hepatitis C, who's still smiling, thanks to Ghana\u2019s growing hepatitis C response. In Ghana, despite high rates of infection, testing and treatment for hepatitis B and C have historically been very low, but this is now changing due to a dedicated effort by the government to tackle the disease. ","MetaTitle":"Renewed hope for all people living with viral hepatitis in Ghana","OtherRelated":"","OpenGraphDescription":"Meet Thomas Abanga, a young Ghanaian living with hepatitis C, who's still smiling, thanks to Ghana\u2019s growing hepatitis C response. In Ghana, despite high rates of infection, testing and treatment for hepatitis B and C have historically been very low, but this is now changing due to a dedicated effort by the government to tackle the disease. ","MetaDescription":"Meet Thomas Abanga, a young Ghanaian living with hepatitis C, who's still smiling, thanks to Ghana\u2019s growing hepatitis C response. In Ghana, despite high rates of infection, testing and treatment for hepatitis B and C have historically been very low, but this is now changing due to a dedicated effort by the government to tackle the disease. ","FactFileNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Highlight":"","Provider":"OpenAccessProvider","ThumbnailUrl":"/images/default-source/departments/hepatitis/hepatitis-day-feature-2023-ghana.tmb-768v.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=424c8c6a_2","FormatedDate":"28 July 2023","TrimmedTitle":"Renewed hope for all people living with viral hepatitis in Ghana"},{"Id":"fd355df6-04f1-4799-8539-926173d98e9e","LastModified":"2022-06-24T07:54:31Z","PublicationDate":"2022-06-23T18:05:42Z","DateCreated":"2022-06-23T12:02:38Z","IncludeInSitemap":true,"SystemSourceKey":null,"UrlName":"who-digital-mental-health-intervention-effective-in-reducing-depression-among-syrian-refugees-in-lebanon","ItemDefaultUrl":"/who-digital-mental-health-intervention-effective-in-reducing-depression-among-syrian-refugees-in-lebanon","FactSheetNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Subtitle":"","FeatureStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"CommentaryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"PublicationDateAndTime":"2022-06-23T18:00:00Z","PhotoStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"DocumentNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"OpenGraphTitle":"WHO digital mental health intervention effective in reducing depression among Syrian refugees in Lebanon","EventNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"SourceKey":null,"Content":"A new digital mental health intervention, Step-by-Step, developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) with the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) at the Ministry of Public Health Lebanon and other partners, was effective in reducing depression among Syrian refugees in Lebanon, according to a study published in PLOS Medicine.
The study, a randomized controlled trial, supported by Elrha’s Research for Health in Humanitarian Crises (R2HC), was conducted among Syrians suffering from depression and impaired functioning in Lebanon. It found that people who received the digital intervention with remote guidance from trained non-specialist helpers were significantly less depressed and had significantly better functioning after the intervention compared with those who received enhanced usual care in the control group. People who received Step-by-Step also showed improvements in symptoms of anxiety, post-traumatic stress, well-being and personal problems, with all improvements maintained at 3-month follow-up. This study supports results from a parallel trial of Step-by-Step with Lebanese and other populations living in Lebanon, which showed similar positive results.
All of the 569 Syrian adults enrolled in the trial, which was completed in December 2020, were from Syria. The average age of participants was 31.5. The majority (58.3%) were women, and the majority were married (70.1%). Most had primary (32.0%) or secondary education (36.7%), and the majority were unemployed (58.7%). Half of the participants received the guided WHO Step-by-Step intervention provided as a hybrid app for iOS, Android, and web browsers, and half received Enhanced Care as Usual alone (consisting of basic psychoeducation and referral to evidence based care).
A format delivered by trained non-specialist helpers in a digital setting
Step-by-Step is a 5-session WHO digital intervention designed to treat depression through an internet-connected device, with weekly support (e.g. a 15 minute call or message) from trained non-specialist helpers. It provides psychoeducation and training in behavioural activation (e.g. doing more pleasant activities) through an illustrated narrative, with additional therapeutic techniques such as stress management, a gratitude exercise, positive self-talk, strengthening social support, and relapse prevention.
Step-by-Step includes 5 illustrated story sessions with audio recordings of the text to support accessibility. Each session is divided into 3 smaller parts, which on average take a total of 20 minutes to complete. Every session unlocks after 4 days of completing the previous session to give enough time for the person to practice the skills and exercises they learned in the previous session. Users are recommended to complete 1 session (with all its 3 parts) per week.
Potential for scale-up to other displaced populations with digital access
Given the effect observed in the study on depression, functional impairment, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, subjective well-being, and self-identified problems, and that Step-by-Step can be provided by trained non-specialist helpers to communities of displaced populations that have digital access, the trial results suggest that the intervention can be part of an effective strategy to improve mental health among other displaced populations with digital access. Lebanon’s National Mental Health Programme aims to scale up mental health care in line with the National Mental Health Strategy but resources are limited. Based on these results and results of a parallel trial conducted with Lebanese and other populations living in Lebanon, Lebanon’s National Mental Health Programme have scaled up the intervention nationally so that it is accessible to all adults in the country.
Substantial need for mental health support among refugee populations
The number of forcibly displaced persons reached 89.3 million at the end of 2021 and is estimated to have further increased to more than 100 million, because of recent global events.
The war in Syria has involved almost 6.8 million refugees. Lebanon, with a total population of close to 7 million, currently hosts about 840,900 displaced Syrians. After fleeing for safety, displaced people experience continuing difficulties, including unmet basic needs, language barriers, uncertainty about the future, social isolation, and discrimination. As a result, they are at risk of mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress.
It has been estimated that 22% of displaced, war-affected Syrians in Lebanon suffer from moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Although depression and other common mental disorders are a leading cause of disability, the vast majority of displaced people do not receive treatment. This is especially true in low- and middle-income countries where only 1 in 27 people with depression are likely to receive evidence-based treatments and where less than 1 per 1000 displaced people seeks help from health services for common mental disorders. This study suggests that Step-by-Step can make a considerable contribution to addressing this treatment gap.
For more information about Step-by-Step, please contact Dr Edith Van’t Hof (vanthofe@who.int) at the WHO Department of Mental Health and Substance Use.
","MultimediaNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Title":"WHO digital mental health intervention effective in reducing depression among Syrian refugees in Lebanon","NewsNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Summary":"A new digital mental health intervention, Step-by-Step, developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) with the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) at the Ministry of Public Health Lebanon and other partners, was effective in reducing depression among Syrian refugees in Lebanon, according to a study published in PLOS Medicine. \r\n\r\nThe study, a randomized controlled trial, supported by Elrha\u2019s Research for Health in Humanitarian Crises (R2HC), was conducted among Syrians suffering from depression and impaired functioning in Lebanon. It found that people who received the digital intervention with remote guidance from trained non-specialist helpers were significantly less depressed and had significantly better functioning after the intervention compared with those who received enhanced usual care in the control group. People who received Step-by-Step also showed improvements in symptoms of anxiety, post-traumatic stress, well-being and personal problems, with all improvements maintained at 3-month follow-up. This study supports results from a parallel trial of Step-by-Step with Lebanese and other populations living in Lebanon, which showed similar positive results. \r\n\r\nAll of the 569 Syrian adults enrolled in the trial, which was completed in December 2020, were from Syria. The average age of participants was 31.5. The majority (58.3%) were women, and the majority were married (70.1%). Most had primary (32.0%) or secondary education (36.7%), and the majority were unemployed (58.7%). Half of the participants received the guided WHO Step-by-Step intervention provided as a hybrid app for iOS, Android, and web browsers, and half received Enhanced Care as Usual alone (consisting of basic psychoeducation and referral to evidence based care). ","MetaTitle":"WHO digital mental health intervention effective in reducing depression among Syrian refugees in Lebanon","OtherRelated":"","OpenGraphDescription":"","MetaDescription":"","FactFileNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Highlight":"
","Provider":"OpenAccessProvider","ThumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/mental-health-and-substance-abuse/plos_article.tmb-768v.jpg?sfvrsn=cd790e1b_3","FormatedDate":"23 June 2022","TrimmedTitle":"WHO digital mental health intervention effective in reducing depression among Syrian refugees in Lebanon"},{"Id":"5425fd85-928c-4dc5-8cc0-a8f1e303839a","LastModified":"2025-10-01T08:14:29Z","PublicationDate":"2025-10-01T04:43:51Z","DateCreated":"2025-10-01T04:43:51Z","IncludeInSitemap":true,"SystemSourceKey":null,"UrlName":"vanuatu-strengthens-pandemic-preparedness-with-a-new-national-risk-communication-and-community-engagement-(rcce)-strategy","ItemDefaultUrl":"/vanuatu-strengthens-pandemic-preparedness-with-a-new-national-risk-communication-and-community-engagement-(rcce)-strategy","FactSheetNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Subtitle":"","FeatureStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"CommentaryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"PublicationDateAndTime":"2025-09-30T05:00:00Z","PhotoStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"DocumentNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"OpenGraphTitle":"Vanuatu strengthens pandemic preparedness with a new national Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) strategy","EventNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"SourceKey":null,"Content":"
During and since the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization\r\n (WHO) and partners have made significant investments to further\r\n strengthen pandemic preparedness capacities in the 21 Pacific Island\r\n countries and areas, including in the field of RCCE.
From April\r\n to June 2025, the Ministry of Health of Vanuatu, with technical guidance\r\n from WHO, led the development of a national RCCE strategy, which will\r\n help institutionalize preparedness for a wide range of health challenges\r\n including influenza. The strategy will also help outline how the\r\n country engages and communicates with communities before, during, and\r\n after public health emergencies including influenza pandemics.
Tonga\r\n was the first country in the Pacific Islands to publish such a strategy\r\n last year, and consultations will begin soon for other countries, such\r\n as Fiji. A national RCCE strategy is a core part of pandemic\r\n preparedness and is an included in the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness\r\n (PIP) Framework’s High Level Implementation Plan III (2024-2030).
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/headquarters/initiatives/pip-framework/wpro-article-image.jpg?sfvrsn=ff31dae1_3\" "\\"WPRO")
Credit: WHO / BREJ Pacific
Caption: Participants during a group exercise at the RCCE workshop in Vanuatu
A\r\n national consultation held on 6 June 2025 in Port Vila brought together\r\n 21 representatives from key sectors including the Ministry of Health,\r\n the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Climate Change, the\r\n National Disaster Management Office, the United Nations Children's Fund\r\n (UNICEF), World Vision, and others. Participants contributed insights on\r\n coordination in the time of crisis, including streamlined information\r\n flows with partners and media, mechanisms for disseminating messages to\r\n communities through local organizations, and rapid use of pre-approved\r\n messages. They also reflected on effective communication channels, such\r\n as trusted leaders in the communities, drawing from on-the-ground\r\n experiences during COVID-19, other respiratory outbreaks, and other\r\n emergencies.
The consultation, co-facilitated by WHO and the\r\n Ministry of Health, raised practical recommendations to improve risk\r\n communication systems, as well as mechanisms to reach vulnerable and\r\n remote populations – for example, by creating standard operating\r\n procedures for community engagement and clearly defining roles and\r\n responsibilities at national and provincial levels. These and other\r\n revisions have been incorporated into the revised RCCE strategy, which\r\n has been further reviewed at a second consultation on 10 June with 20\r\n Ministry of Health officials, including provincial teams, ensuring that\r\n the strategy was informed by experience across all levels of the health\r\n system. The strategy resulting from this consultation has now been\r\n submitted for Ministerial endorsement.
Among\r\n other health emergencies, the RCCE strategy strengthens Vanuatu’s\r\n ability to respond effectively to influenza pandemics and seasonal\r\n influenza outbreaks, where timely, accurate, and trusted communication\r\n can shape health outcomes. It introduces a systematized approach to\r\n information flow, messaging coordination, and community mobilization -\r\n critical for countering misinformation, promoting vaccine uptake, and\r\n encouraging targeted interventions.
","MultimediaNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Title":"Vanuatu strengthens pandemic preparedness with a new national Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) strategy","NewsNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Summary":"","MetaTitle":"Vanuatu strengthens pandemic preparedness with a new national Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) strategy","OtherRelated":"","OpenGraphDescription":"","MetaDescription":"","FactFileNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Highlight":"\r\n","Provider":"OpenAccessProvider","ThumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/headquarters/initiatives/pip-framework/wpro-article-image.tmb-768v.jpg?sfvrsn=ff31dae1_1","FormatedDate":"30 September 2025","TrimmedTitle":"Vanuatu strengthens pandemic preparedness with a new national Risk Communication and Community Engagement... "},{"Id":"5028c53d-4a22-448e-b605-e5ea2090d9a2","LastModified":"2026-04-17T11:00:15Z","PublicationDate":"2026-04-17T09:39:54Z","DateCreated":"2026-04-17T09:39:54Z","IncludeInSitemap":true,"SystemSourceKey":null,"UrlName":"building-a-culture-of-pandemic-preparedness-in-the-western-pacific-region","ItemDefaultUrl":"/building-a-culture-of-pandemic-preparedness-in-the-western-pacific-region","FactSheetNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Subtitle":"","FeatureStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"CommentaryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"PublicationDateAndTime":"2026-04-17T09:00:00Z","PhotoStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"DocumentNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"OpenGraphTitle":"Building a culture of pandemic preparedness in the Western Pacific Region","EventNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"SourceKey":null,"Content":"The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how invaluable established pandemic plans are before a crisis hits. Across the Western Pacific Region, countries drew on existing influenza plans to coordinate early responses, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic stretched systems in unprecedented ways. This reinforced a clear lesson: preparedness cannot be a one-off activity; it must be built and maintained over time.
Through the PIP Partnership Contribution (PC), countries in the region have invested in developing and routinely testing their pandemic plans. Simulation exercises have become a core tool to move plans from paper into practice, identify weaknesses in a safe environment and strengthen coordination.
Simulation exercises allow emergency responders and decision\u2011makers to “stress\u2011test” contingency plans, procedures and systems. In the Western Pacific Region, many of these exercises have focused on strengthening multi-sectoral coordination in line with global guidance, including the Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) initiative.
Exercises in Cambodia, Indonesia, Mongolia and the Philippines have surfaced a common challenge: how to coordinate the many entities involved in responding to respiratory threats. Through successive exercises, these countries have clarified the roles and responsibilities of key sectors, such as animal health, agriculture, disaster management, foreign affairs and health promotion, at each stage of an escalating pandemic.
Multisectoral simulation exercises have also reinforced the importance of a One Health approach. Reflecting on recent exercises, Dr Listiana Aziza, Head of Surveillance and Emerging Infectious Disease Intervention Unit at the Ministry of Health Indonesia, noted that they “reaffirmed the value of a One Health approach and strong coordination across all sectors and levels”. By introducing more complex scenarios and testing contingency plans over time, Indonesia is using this momentum to strengthen readiness against potential avian influenza threats in the region.
A key lesson from the COVID-19 pandemic was that pandemic preparedness requires continuous investment and advocacy for updating and exercising multisectoral plans. Of the nine countries supported technically and financially through the PIP PC to update and test their pandemic plans, five have conducted more than one exercise, and five have updated their plans more than once.
The Cook Islands and Mongolia demonstrated how repeated testing and updating build robust systems over time. The Cook Islands Ministry of Health drafted their respiratory pathogen preparedness plan and validated it through an exercise in 2023. Lessons from the exercise, including the need to improve access to trusted health information in geographically dispersed communities and to clarify the roles of different sectors, directly informed the finalization and endorsement of the plan. In Mongolia, more than a decade of efforts, including Exercise PanStop in 2018 and Exercise PanPRET in 2023, shaped regular updates to pandemic response systems. These exercises helped officials refine decision-making structures, risk communication and surge capacity, building confidence that plans will work under pressure.
As implementation under the PIP PC progresses, countries in the Western Pacific Region are demonstrating that simulation exercises are not a box to tick, but an ongoing, directed effort to learn, adapt and sustain preparedness gains. These exercises enable countries to build on existing plans, apply lessons learned and strengthen systems.
Continued investments in exercise-informed capacity building allow countries to anticipate evolving pandemic influenza risks, test more complex scenarios and systems, and strengthen multi-sectoral and community-level preparedness. This sustained cycle of planning, testing and improvement is helping ensure that when the next influenza pandemic hits, countries are ready to respond quickly, effectively and collectively.
","MultimediaNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Title":"Building a culture of pandemic preparedness in the Western Pacific Region","NewsNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Summary":"Sustained investment through the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework Partnership Contribution is helping countries in the Western Pacific Region build a culture of continuous learning for pandemic preparedness, using simulation exercises to test, refine and strengthen pandemic readiness before the next pandemic.","MetaTitle":"Building a culture of pandemic preparedness in the Western Pacific Region","OtherRelated":"","OpenGraphDescription":"Sustained investment through the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework Partnership Contribution is helping countries in the Western Pacific Region build a culture of continuous learning for pandemic preparedness, using simulation exercises to test, refine and strengthen pandemic readiness before the next pandemic.","MetaDescription":"Sustained investment through the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework Partnership Contribution is helping countries in the Western Pacific Region build a culture of continuous learning for pandemic preparedness, using simulation exercises to test, refine and strengthen pandemic readiness before the next pandemic.","FactFileNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Highlight":"","Provider":"OpenAccessProvider","ThumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/headquarters/initiatives/pip-framework/wpro-simulation.tmb-768v.jpg?sfvrsn=af1f2616_1","FormatedDate":"17 April 2026","TrimmedTitle":"Building a culture of pandemic preparedness in the Western Pacific Region"},{"Id":"98af3c46-9450-4f0d-a55b-4b836e87d602","LastModified":"2023-05-09T17:24:59Z","PublicationDate":"2019-08-05T08:44:32Z","DateCreated":"2019-08-05T08:44:32Z","IncludeInSitemap":true,"SystemSourceKey":null,"UrlName":"from-30-million-to-zero-china-creates-a-malaria-free-future","ItemDefaultUrl":"/from-30-million-to-zero-china-creates-a-malaria-free-future","FactSheetNumberOfAdditionalItems":1,"Subtitle":"","FeatureStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"CommentaryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"PublicationDateAndTime":"2019-06-18T18:00:00Z","PhotoStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":1,"DocumentNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"OpenGraphTitle":"From 30 million to zero: China creates a malaria-free future","EventNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"SourceKey":null,"Content":"![\"china-malaria-zero-story-2019-1\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/global-malaria-program-(gmp)/feature-stories/china-malaria-zero-story-2019-1.jpg?sfvrsn=f9c02e17_6\")
WHO/C. McNab
China is celebrating a major health achievement: the country has not recorded a single indigenous case of malaria since August 2016. This is a notable feat in a place where the disease has historically taken a huge toll. In the 1940s, there were an\r\n estimated 30 million cases of malaria and 300 000 deaths each year.\r\n
“I come from a village where malaria epidemics were common,” recalls Professor Yang Henglin, who is now a senior advisor on malaria at the Yunnan Institute of Parasitic Diseases. “Among my father’s generation, I had 2 older uncles\r\n who died probably as a result of severe malaria infection.”
Professor Yang has been involved in malaria control for 45 years. His work directing the malaria elimination strategy in Yunnan Province has helped lead to a dramatic drop in indigenous malaria cases: from 400 000 in 1953 to zero in 2016.
In 1955, China established a National Malaria Control Programme. Communities rallied to improve irrigation, reduce mosquito breeding grounds, use insecticide spraying and sleep under bed nets. Health authorities worked to locate and stop the spread of\r\n outbreaks.\r\n
Progress was steady. By the end of 1990, the total number of cases nationwide had plummeted to some 117 000, and malaria-related deaths were reduced by 95%.1
With support from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, beginning in 2003, China stepped up the training, staffing, laboratory equipment, medicines and mosquito control measures that were needed to quickly find, treat and prevent malaria\r\n cases.
Global Fund support totalling over US$ 100 million was disbursed over a 10-year period to help end malaria in 762 counties. In that time, the number of malaria cases fell to fewer than 5000 per year.
![\"china-malaria-zero-story-2019-2\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/global-malaria-program-(gmp)/feature-stories/china-malaria-zero-story-2019-2.jpg?sfvrsn=ed996f47_6\")
WHO/C. McNab
In 2010, China set an ambitious target: to eliminate malaria by 2020. This was a response to the country’s progress in malaria control and to the malaria target of the 2000 Millennium Development Goals, which called for halting and reversing the\r\n incidence of the disease by the year 2015.
Through a sweeping agreement, 13 ministries – including those representing health, education, finance, research and science, development, public security, the army, police, commerce, industry and information technology, media and tourism –\r\n joined forces to end the risk of malaria nationwide.
“We realized that it was necessary to cooperate with all relevant departments and involve the whole of society in order to achieve the malaria goals,” says He Qinghua, Deputy Director-General of the Bureau of Disease Prevention and Control\r\n at China’s National Health Commission.
One feature of China’s way of working is the replication of ministries and departments from the capital through to the provinces, prefectures, counties, townships and villages. If Beijing makes a policy, each level follows.
In Meng La County, on the border with the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR), it’s easy to find national policies translated into local action. Ms Yi Yue, Deputy Director of the county People’s Congress, explains how local ministries work\r\n closely together.
“Every year, we host a working group meeting with the 13 ministries, including the Ministries of Health and Finance, she said. “We discuss what we achieved, the current challenges, and plan strategies for the coming year. In this way, we work\r\n efficiently to achieve the goal of malaria elimination.”
In recent years, China has also fully invested in national efforts to stamp out the disease. Since 2014, the country has paid for its entire malaria elimination programme through domestic resources.
“The Government has demonstrated its commitment to malaria elimination by dedicating funding,” says Professor Yang Henglin. “Government commitment, together with the dedication of Chinese malaria experts, and the early support –\r\n in particular from the Global Fund – has led to success here.”
Ms Yi also notes that the Meng La County allots some of its own budget to the programme, as do other priority counties.
![\"china-malaria-zero-story-2019-3\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/global-malaria-program-(gmp)/feature-stories/china-malaria-zero-story-2019-3.jpg?sfvrsn=4c53a4eb_6\")
WHO/C. McNab
China has also implemented a highly effective surveillance strategy to find and stop malaria rapidly – before cases spread. Known as “1-3-7,” the strategy includes strict timelines to be followed to the hour.
Within 1 day, any malaria case must be reported. By the end of Day 3, the county Center for Disease Control and Prevention (known as the CDC) will have confirmed and investigated the case and determined if there is a risk of spread.
By the end of Day 7, the county CDC will have taken measures to ensure no further spread, including by testing members of the community where the malaria case was found.
Since 2010, China has classified its 2858 mainland counties according to “types” based on the malaria burden. Each year, the number of “Type 1” and “Type 2” counties – those with malaria transmission in the last 3 years – has steadily declined to zero.
In 2016 there were only 3 indigenous cases of the disease reported nationwide.2 By 2017 and 2018, there were none. And, so far in 2019, the progress holds with zero indigenous cases reported across the country.
![\"china-malaria-zero-story-2019-4\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/global-malaria-program-(gmp)/feature-stories/china-malaria-zero-story-2019-4.jpg?sfvrsn=b27002c8_6\")
WHO/C. McNab
Continued success requires continued vigilance. Yunnan Province, which borders 3 malaria-endemic countries: Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam, will remain vigilant against imported cases of the disease.
Extra teams are trained to respond to any case of malaria using the “1-3-7” approach. The province’s 68 malaria posts are another line of defence; they are equipped with staff and microscopes to rapidly examine blood samples and report\r\n cases. China is also offering technical assistance to bordering countries, including Lao PDR and Myanmar, to help reduce malaria transmission.
In order to sustain malaria elimination, all of these measures must continue. “The threat of imported malaria will remain for a long time,” explains Professor Yang. “If we don’t maintain our efforts, it may come back.”
1. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 1991 Dec;22(4):467-76.
2. Zhang et al. http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.77282
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The 2015–2016 outbreak of Zika virus disease in the Region of the Americas demonstrated how a relatively obscure and mild mosquito-borne disease can become a global health emergency, causing congenital Zika syndrome, including microcephaly, and neurological complications such as Guillain-Barré syndrome.
On 1 February 2016, the WHO Director-General declared Zika virus and its associated complications a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. In her statement, Dr Margaret Chan, then the WHO Director-General, highlighted the urgent need for research and development (R&D) of preventative and therapeutic solutions for Zika virus disease. In the period since this call to action, the global research community responded with introduction of 45 vaccine candidates in the R&D pipeline, some of which have moved into human clinical trials. The current landscape of Zika virus vaccines and therapeutics was reviewed in a recent article published in BMC Medicine1.
Studies in animal models have shown promising results of Zika virus vaccines for preventing maternal-fetal transmission and generating immunity in the vaccine recipient, but further validation is still required in clinical settings. Several vaccine candidates are currently in phase 1 and 2 of human clinical trials, summarized in the WHO vaccine pipeline tracker.
Many hurdles remain, however, before a vaccine will become available. The limited number of cases occurring globally limits the ability of studies to evaluate the protective effects of vaccines in phase 3 human trials. To prepare sites for future clinical trials, mathematical modelling is being used to predict when and where potential future Zika outbreaks may occur, but accurately predicting and preparing sites for future multi-centre clinical trials present unique logistical challenges. In the absence of a suitable population and/or environment to test a candidate vaccine, other options for clinical evaluation are being considered.
The authors highlight that therapeutics for Zika virus infection, which are also in development, could be advanced in tandem with vaccine development, in an effort to further reduce the burden of disease. Therapeutics could be used as prophylaxis, and reduce disease severity by accelerating viral clearance.
The authors emphasize the critical need for sensitive, specific, and reliable diagnostic tests for Zika virus infection, in order to assess vaccine efficacy and clinical trial endpoints of candidate vaccines.
Discovery of vaccines for this newly-emerged pathogen will require sustained commitment and investment. Continued financial support and engagement of industry, researchers, and public health partners will be needed for the successful development, licensure, and accessibility of Zika vaccines and therapeutics.
1 Zika vaccines and therapeutics: landscape analysis and challenges ahead
Wilder-Smith A, Vannice K, Durbin A, Hombach J, Thomas SJ, Thevarjan I, Simmons CP. BMC Med. 2018 Jun; 16(1):84.
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![\"\"](\"https://www.who.int/images/default-source/departments/health-security-preparedness/drr/story-photos/handover-jamaica/photo_2-_handover_27.01.2022.jpg?Status=Master&sfvrsn=2fed82cc_7\")
Kingston, Jamaica, January 27, 2022 (PAHO) – UKaid and PAHO partnered to retrofit nine health centers island wide, making them safer, greener, and more resilient to natural disasters and climate change. The smart facilities upgraded under the ‘Smart’ or Strengthening Health Care Facilities in the Caribbean Project were handed over to Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health and Wellness on Thursday, January 27 at the newly upgraded St. Ann's Bay Health Centre.
The upgraded facilities, which were completed in 2021, are the St Ann's Bay, Albert Town, Darliston, Gayle, Norman Gardens, Windward Road, Yallahs, Sydenham and Cumberland Road health centres. The other health facilities to be retrofitted under this project include the Port Antonio Health Centre (expected to finish in February 2022), Santa Cruz Health Centre (expected to finish in Q3 2022) and Mandeville Health Centre, which is expected to start in February and finish in Q4 2022.
Mr. Ian Stein, PAHO/WHO Representative in Jamaica stated, “This is a very important day for PAHO/WHO and the United Kingdom as we hand-over nine health care facilities across the country, including this ‘Smart facility’, the St. Ann’s Bay Health Centre. Since 2016, PAHO/WHO has been implementing this UKaid project in Jamaica in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, which reinforces that sustainability of health facilities must be enhanced to ensure continued service delivery immediately after the impact of hazards, such as hurricanes, when communities need healthcare most.
He continued, “the technical cooperation provided by PAHO/WHO is integrally linked to the disaster risk reduction priorities of the Americas and Jamaica’s Climate Change Policy Framework which will enshrine ’Smart’ standards in the new construction and retrofitting of health facilities. In summary, SAFE + GREEN + MAINTAINED = SMART”.
“Our UK grant is instrumental in supporting Jamaica's efforts to reduce disaster vulnerability of vital public buildings and boost its climate resilience. It has also provided a helpful platform for risk reduction planning within the health sector. COVID -19 has further highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness and contingency measures at health facilities for staff and patients,” said British High Commissioner to Jamaica, Judith Slater.
For his part, Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, stated the programme is much welcomed as the public health system continues to adjust and respond to the changing health profile and needs of the population.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to bear in a most significant way, the need for the vulnerable among us to protect themselves from diseases and ailments and for persons to take the necessary preventive steps to guard against becoming vulnerable.”
The £46.3m project is currently being implemented in seven countries: Dominica, St Lucia, Grenada, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Belize, Guyana and Jamaica. Jamaica received an allocation of £8million or USD11 million. The project is funded by UKaid through its Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in the Caribbean and implemented by PAHO in close collaboration with the Ministries of Health of the selected countries.
","MultimediaNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Title":"PAHO & UKaid Handover Nine Smart Health Facilities to Jamaica","NewsNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Summary":"Kingston, Jamaica, January 27, 2022 (PAHO) \u2013 UKaid and PAHO partnered to retrofit nine health centers island wide, making them safer, greener, and more resilient to natural disasters and climate change. The smart facilities upgraded under the \u2018Smart\u2019 or Strengthening Health Care Facilities in the Caribbean Project were handed over to Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health and Wellness on Thursday, January 27 at the newly upgraded St. Ann's Bay Health Centre. ","MetaTitle":"PAHO & UKaid Handover Nine Smart Health Facilities to Jamaica","OtherRelated":"","OpenGraphDescription":"Kingston, Jamaica, January 27, 2022 (PAHO) \u2013 UKaid and PAHO partnered to retrofit nine health centers island wide, making them safer, greener, and more resilient to natural disasters and climate change. The smart facilities upgraded under the \u2018Smart\u2019 or Strengthening Health Care Facilities in the Caribbean Project were handed over to Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health and Wellness on Thursday, January 27 at the newly upgraded St. Ann's Bay Health Centre. ","MetaDescription":"Kingston, Jamaica, January 27, 2022 (PAHO) \u2013 UKaid and PAHO partnered to retrofit nine health centers island wide, making them safer, greener, and more resilient to natural disasters and climate change. The smart facilities upgraded under the \u2018Smart\u2019 or Strengthening Health Care Facilities in the Caribbean Project were handed over to Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health and Wellness on Thursday, January 27 at the newly upgraded St. Ann's Bay Health Centre. ","FactFileNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Highlight":"","Provider":"OpenAccessProvider","ThumbnailUrl":"/images/default-source/departments/health-security-preparedness/drr/story-photos/handover-jamaica/photo_2-_handover_27.01.2022.tmb-768v.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=2fed82cc_1","FormatedDate":"26 January 2022","TrimmedTitle":"PAHO & UKaid Handover Nine Smart Health Facilities to Jamaica"},{"Id":"0d80c7b1-acca-4d07-ae55-19919bdb73fd","LastModified":"2024-09-13T01:43:28Z","PublicationDate":"2021-02-09T13:58:31Z","DateCreated":"2021-02-09T13:58:31Z","IncludeInSitemap":true,"SystemSourceKey":null,"UrlName":"from-afghanistan-to-south-sudan-how-who-and-partners-continue-to-fight-covid-19-around-the-world","ItemDefaultUrl":"/from-afghanistan-to-south-sudan-how-who-and-partners-continue-to-fight-covid-19-around-the-world","FactSheetNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Subtitle":"","FeatureStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"CommentaryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"PublicationDateAndTime":"2021-02-05T23:00:00Z","PhotoStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"DocumentNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"OpenGraphTitle":"From Afghanistan to South Sudan: how WHO and partners continue to fight COVID-19 around the world","EventNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"SourceKey":null,"Content":"As countries ramp up their COVID-19 vaccination campaigns and work to contain new variants of the virus, WHO is tirelessly working towards equitable access of the new vaccines and continues to provide support in many other ways to countries all over the world. Here are some recent activities WHO was able to carry out to thanks to the vital backing of its many donors.
India rolls out the world’s largest COVID-19 vaccination drive with support from WHO
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/indiaexr.jpg?sfvrsn=52c55261_3&Status=Master\")
Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Health Minister, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at the vaccination site at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi. Story published by WHO/SEARO on 16 January 2021.
India recently rolled out the world’s largest COVID-19 vaccination drive in January to reach around 300 million individuals in priority groups. The vaccines will be administered at over 3 000 sites in all states and union territories. Among the first to be vaccinated are 10 million health-workers who are at high risk of exposure to the disease. WHO is supporting the campaign through information, monitoring, and providing guidelines.
WHO helps maintain essential cholera protection during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Sudan
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/southsudanexr4abc9e789a8b4811aaa08c0d80be12e1.jpg?sfvrsn=7036a4a9_3&Status=Master\")
Hon. Elizabeth Acuei Yol, Minister of Health, administering oral cholera vaccine, South Sudan. Story published by WHO/AFRO on 20 January 2021.
WHO is supporting an oral cholera vaccination campaign in South Sudan to protect flood-displaced populations in high-risk areas.
The five-day campaign in January was organized and led by the Ministry of Health with support from WHO, UNICEF, IOM, MEDAIR and other partners to reach nearly 100 000 individuals aged one year and above in Pibor town, Verteth, Gumuruk and Lekuangule.
With European Union support, WHO will fight COVID-19 and strengthen health systems in Somalia
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/somaliaexr.jpg?sfvrsn=2658db5b_5&Status=Master\")
WHO/Somalia personnel receiving medical supplies donated by the EU. Story published by WHO/EMRO on 21 January 2021.
The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Somalia and the WHO Somalia country office recently signed a €5 million multi-year contribution agreement for a project to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 and to strengthen the country’s health systems.
WHO and the EU Delegation to Somalia will continue to collaborate closely in the future, alongside the health authorities, in their joint efforts to reach and support the most vulnerable populations across the country with essential and life-saving health services.
WHO and DHL team up to deliver health-care equipment to the Pacific
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/pacificislandsexr.jpg?sfvrsn=6a841327_3&Status=Master\")
DHL sends healthcare supplies for WHO to the Pacific Islands. Story published by WHO/WPRO on 19 January 2021.
WHO recently teamed up with DHL Global Forwarding to coordinate WHO’s latest delivery: more than US$ 2 million worth of medical devices such as oxygen concentrator sets, patient monitors and pulse oximeters. The equipment was flown with the help of DHL from Singapore to WHO’s Division of Pacific Technical Support in Fiji.
The devices are destined for hospitals and other health-care facilities in eight countries and areas in the Pacific, where they will help local medical professionals to treat COVID-19 patients.
Canada and WHO support COVID-19 prevention programme among indigenous people in Bolivia
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/boliviaexrdf43d4f8-5628-465f-92ea-cb9110885f44.jpg?sfvrsn=599dd69_3&Status=Master\")
Demesio Semo Molle of the Yuqui council told WHO staff that his community doesn’t have access to clean water. Story published by PAHO/WHO on 20 January 2021.
Thanks to funding from the government of Canada and technical assistance from the WHO Regional Office for the Americas, Bolivia recently established a culturally adapted communication and training programme to prevent and manage COVID-19 in the tropics of Cochabamba. The programme is aimed to help the Pachinu and Bia Recuate communities of the Yuqui people and benefitted from their active participation.
EU, WHO donate supplies to enhance lab capacity for COVID-19 testing in Belize
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/belizeexr.jpg?sfvrsn=9cbcfb13_3&Status=Master\")
Local staff receive laboratory equipment donated by the EU and WHO. Story published by PAHO/WHO on 20 January 2021.
The European Union (EU) and WHO Regional Office for the Americas recently donated a stock of crucial supplies to the Central Medical Laboratory, Ministry of Health and Wellness to enhance the laboratory’s capacity to continue the screening and testing for COVID-19 nationwide.
WHO, Germany deliver critical medical supplies to Western Balkan countries to strengthen COVID-19 response and save lives
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/westernbalkanexr.jpg?sfvrsn=6a13aa9e_3&Status=Master\")
A medical worker with COVID-19 test samples at Belgrade’s Torlak institute. Story published by WHO/EURO on 25 January 2021.
WHO has partnered with the German Government to deliver medical supplies worth € 3.65 million to countries in the Western Balkan region. These supplies – 334 ventilators and 19 400 pulse oximeters – will equip health facilities to monitor and improve the health outcomes of COVID-19 patients, particularly in intensive care units.
The shipments were distributed at the end of 2020 to hospitals across the region’s five countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Kosovo. They will serve the immediate needs of countries during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as strengthen the capacities of hospitals for future health emergencies.
EU provides additional € 35 million to support the fight against COVID-19 in Afghanistan
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/afghanistanexr.jpg?sfvrsn=490b2d07_3&Status=Master\")
A COVID-19 Rapid Response Team in Afghanistan. Story published by WHO/EMRO on 26 January 2021.
The EU-Delegation in Kabul recently announced additional support of € 35 million to tackle COVID-19 and mitigate its socioeconomic impacts in Afghanistan. Since the start of the pandemic, the EU has mobilized almost € 147 million to address the immediate health crisis and provide humanitarian assistance to people in need.
The additional funds will contribute to strengthening the response capacity of health systems to test and treat patients, to improve infection prevention, to raise awareness and to reduce nutritional risks through three projects implemented by WHO, UNICEF and a consortium led by the Aga Khan Foundation.
***
Read more about WHO’s response to COVID-19 across the world.
Without the support of donors and partners, WHO would not be able to reach these countries in need and help them make it through the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHO thanks all governments, organizations and individuals contributing to the COVID-19 response around the world, and in particular those who have provided fully flexible contributions, to ensure a comprehensive fight against the disease.
African Development Bank, Alwaleed Foundation, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bulgaria, CAF, Canada, Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), China, Côte d’Ivoire, COVID MPTF, COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, European Commission, Finland, France, Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, Germany, GFATM, Pacific Health Officers’ Association, Guinea, Holy See, Iceland, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Japan, Ireland, Islamic Development Bank, Italy, King Baudouin Foundation, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Novartis International AG, OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), Pacific Health Officers’ Association, Pandemic Tech, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Slovenia, Russian Federation, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tetra Pak Export FZE, Standard Chartered Bank, Thailand, United Kingdom, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNDP/UNOSS, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UNFCU Foundation, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United States, Viet Nam, Vital Strategies/Resolve to Save Lives, World Bank, World Bank/PEF
Read more about donors and partners contributing to the COVID-19 response
Read more about WHO’s response to COVID-19 across the world.
Read more about donors and partners contributing to the COVID-19 response
You can donate today
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In 2021, WHO launched the NCD Lab, an initiative leveraging community-driven grassroots innovations with the potential to be game changers in beating diseases such as cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and heart disease.
Noncommunicable diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease and respiratory disease kill 42 million people annually. The urgency and complexity of this epidemic call for novel, bold, and equitable approaches.
Since its launch, nearly 100 innovative projects have been submitted to the NCD Lab.
Young artists raise their voices to prevent diabetes
One of the winners is The Bigger Picture campaign, encouraging young people to use language, metaphor, and imagery to improve public health literacy and creatively expose the drivers of type 2 diabetes in marginalized and low-income communities in the United States of America.
In dedicated writing workshops, artists aged 14-19 years from marginalized and low-income communities learn about the environmental and socioeconomic inequities contributing to the diabetes epidemic with the help of a public health expert.
Monica Mendoza is one of the young artists participating in the programme. In a poem that she wrote, she criticizes the advertising campaigns for sugary drinks targeting the Latino community, particularly the portrayal of sugary beverages as an essential part of a happy family gathering.
![\"Girl](\"https://www.who.int/images/default-source/departments/ncds/ncdlab2.png?sfvrsn=d53ca172_2\")
The poem highlights cheap sugary sweetened beverages and other unhealthy products that she sees families buying, “for the kids to eat after school for the next two weeks. […] Mom and dad are too busy to limit the intake of junk food. Too busy trying to make a living to live healthily,” resumes Monica in her video clip.
Supported by an artist-in-residence, participants create spoken word poems and perform them in public settings and through online videos.
“We are desperately looking for home in our plates and cups. Dinner has become an expedition, where we lick our plates clean and swallow cups of nostalgia. Nostalgia-- that isn't even from our own country. Our tongues have been colonized with the belief that this cup of [sugary sweetened beverage] is home,\" she writes.
The video clips, produced by young artists of The Bigger Picture Project, have been viewed more than a million times, and testimonies from young poets supported four successful sugary beverage tax initiatives in California.
Read more about this NCD Lab winning project
Beating diabetes through grassroots innovation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Indonesia
In the South Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, another NCD Lab winner works with women and girls facing social stigma and health-related discrimination due to diabetes. The project empowers young women and their families to advocate for change, seek the right care, and become champions for safe and effective diabetes care in their community.
“We are looking to break the vicious cycle (of diabetes and social discrimination) by improving access to information, screening, and diabetes care for women so they can get good diabetes prevention measures and live more dignified lives,” says project lead Dr Belma Malanda.
Read more about this NCD Lab winning project
In Indonesia, the PEDIA project aims to address the under-diagnosis and inadequate treatment of type 1 diabetes in children. An innovative set of novel health education materials connects paediatricians, young patients, caregivers, and communities for a more holistic and sustainable approach to diabetes care, including a graphic novel, diaries for children, parental guidance, and a digital platform for diabetes education.
“We are looking to scale up our universal, cross-cultural education materials across Indonesia so that children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes living in remote areas, those without access to technology and minority groups can be reached,” explained project founder and medical doctor Dr Ghaisani Fadiana.
Read more about this NCD Lab winning project
Collaborating with WHO’s Innovation Hub for its latest cycle, the NCD Lab invited submissions from innovators tackling the global rise of obesity in support of the WHO Acceleration Plan to STOP Obesity. Submissions are currently under review and winners will be announced in late 2022.
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WHO Acceleration Plan to STOP Obesity
","Provider":"OpenAccessProvider","ThumbnailUrl":"/images/default-source/departments/ncds/ncdlab1.tmb-768v.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=a033d54f_1","FormatedDate":"17 August 2022","TrimmedTitle":"Grassroots innovation to beat noncommunicable diseases"},{"Id":"0698d845-cb1a-44c5-b749-01bf70259f70","LastModified":"2026-04-07T12:53:51Z","PublicationDate":"2021-03-31T11:03:56Z","DateCreated":"2021-03-31T11:03:57Z","IncludeInSitemap":true,"SystemSourceKey":null,"UrlName":"safety-of-covid-19-vaccines","ItemDefaultUrl":"/safety-of-covid-19-vaccines","FactSheetNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Subtitle":"","FeatureStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"CommentaryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"PublicationDateAndTime":"2025-03-10T19:00:00Z","PhotoStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"DocumentNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"OpenGraphTitle":"Ensuring vaccine safety","EventNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"SourceKey":null,"Content":"
This article is part of a series of explainers on vaccine development and distribution. Learn more about vaccines – from how they work and how they’re made to ensuring safety and equitable access – in WHO’s Vaccines Explained series.
Before any vaccine is introduced in a country, the vaccine developed in the laboratory undergoes rigorous and stringent testing through multiple phases of clinical trials. Health authorities carefully evaluate the results of these trials to help ensure that the vaccine meets the highest safety and efficacy standards before being considered suitable for use.
Once vaccines are introduced and used in countries, national health authorities continuously monitor vaccine safety to detect and immediately respond to potential concerns. In case of an adverse event, an independent group of experts assesses whether such an event is related to vaccines.
WHO assists countries in strengthening vaccine safety monitoring and response systems. Globally, reports of vaccine safety events are collected and analyzed in a database at the Uppsala Monitoring Centre, a WHO collaborating centre that specializes in monitoring the safety of medicines and vaccines. This global system helps detect even weak and rare safety signals. In addition, the\u202f Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS), \u202fan independent group of experts, evaluates reports on vaccine safety and provides authoritative and scientific advice to WHO. On behalf of this committee, WHO issues regular statements on vaccine safety.
Vaccines train your immune system to recognize the targeted germs virus and create antibodies to fight off the disease without getting the disease itself. After vaccination, the body is ready to fight those germs more effectively, preventing illness, complications and even death –— risks that come with natural infection. Billions of people have been safely vaccinated against COVID-19. All of the approved COVID-19 vaccines have been carefully tested and continue to be monitored.
Getting vaccinated on time, according to the schedule recommended by your health authorities, ensures you stay as safe and protected as possible. Delaying vaccination leaves you at risk. If you get infected, your body may not have enough time to build immunity, unlike those already vaccinated.
For example, missing the measles vaccine puts children at high risk of severe complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling and even death. Measles spreads easily and can quickly affect unvaccinated individuals, especially children.
If you or your child missed any recommended vaccines, talk to a health-care worker about catching up.
Medical professionals can best advise individuals on whether or not, and when, they should receive a vaccine. Some individuals may need to delay or avoid certain vaccines due to their age, health conditions or other specific factors. If you have any concerns, discuss them with your health-care worker to ensure you get the best protection for your health.
A health worker will administer the vaccine, and the person receiving it will be asked to wait for 15–30 minutes before leaving the vaccination site. This is so that health workers can observe individuals for any unexpected reactions following vaccination.
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/vaccines-explained/vaccines-explained_topic-9_getting-vaccinated_2_what-to-expect_hd.jpg?sfvrsn=2b8f227_28\" "\\"Vaccines")
Why it’s normal to have mild side effects from vaccines Vaccines are designed to give you immunity without the dangers of getting the disease. It’s\u202fcommon to experience some mild-to-moderate side effects\u202fwhen receiving vaccinations. This is because your immune system is instructing your body to react in certain ways: it increases blood flow so more immune cells can circulate, and it raises your body temperature in order to kill the virus.
Mild-to-moderate side effects, like a low-grade fever or muscle aches, are normal and not a cause for alarm: they are signs that the body’s immune system is responding to the vaccine, specifically the antigen (a substance that triggers an immune response), and is gearing up to fight the harmful germ. These side effects usually go away on their own after a few days.\r\n
Common and mild or moderate side effects are a good thing: they show us that the vaccine is working. Experiencing no side effects doesn’t mean the vaccine is ineffective. It means everybody responds differently.
See WHO’s\u202fVaccines Safety questions and answers\u202fto learn more about common\u202fside effects\u202fand find out who should consult with a doctor before vaccination.
Individuals should alert their local health providers following vaccination if they experience any unexpected side effects or other health events – such as side effects lasting more than three days. Less common side effects include severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis; however, this reaction is extremely rare.\u202f
National authorities and international bodies, including WHO, are closely monitoring for any unexpected side effects following vaccination.
It is safe to receive multiple doses of different vaccines during one visit. Combination vaccines – many antigen types in one dose – are also as safe and effective as individual vaccines.
Receiving several vaccines or combination vaccines in one visit is important to protect children from various diseases as early as possible. This also makes it easier to complete the recommended doses on time.
Receiving multiple doses also does not overwhelm the immune system. The antigens present in vaccines are a small fraction compared to what our bodies naturally encounter every day
","MultimediaNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Title":"Ensuring vaccine safety","NewsNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Summary":"","MetaTitle":"Ensuring vaccine safety","OtherRelated":"","OpenGraphDescription":"Countries around the world are rolling out COVID-19 vaccines, and a key topic of interest is their safety. Vaccine safety is one of WHO\u2019s highest priorities, and we\u2019re working closely with national authorities to develop and implement standards to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.","MetaDescription":"Countries around the world are rolling out COVID-19 vaccines, and a key topic of interest is their safety. Vaccine safety is one of WHO\u2019s highest priorities, and we\u2019re working closely with national authorities to develop and implement standards to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.","FactFileNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Highlight":"","Provider":"OpenAccessProvider","ThumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/vaccines-explained/who_ve_topic-8_banner.tmb-768v.jpg?sfvrsn=95ecfb58_23","FormatedDate":"10 March 2025","TrimmedTitle":"Ensuring vaccine safety"},{"Id":"6263ab7d-2b77-461b-8d86-27f2d06db8cf","LastModified":"2020-10-13T12:06:22Z","PublicationDate":"2019-12-23T17:40:48Z","DateCreated":"2019-12-23T17:40:48Z","IncludeInSitemap":true,"SystemSourceKey":null,"UrlName":"global-action-plan-signatory-agencies-back-ghana-s-health-financing-reforms","ItemDefaultUrl":"/global-action-plan-signatory-agencies-back-ghana-s-health-financing-reforms","FactSheetNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Subtitle":"","FeatureStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"CommentaryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"PublicationDateAndTime":"2019-12-20T19:30:00Z","PhotoStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"DocumentNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"OpenGraphTitle":"Global Action Plan Signatory Agencies back Ghana\u2019s Health Financing Reforms","EventNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"SourceKey":null,"Content":"
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/gap/global-action-plan-sept19/global-action-plan-signatory-agencies-back-ghana-s-health-financing-reforms-335980b6-2a95-403b-80f5-539dab34e9f7.jpg?sfvrsn=8ec3a53c_3\")
Ghana’s government is striving to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), yet financing issues remain a challenge. To address this issue, Ghana hosted a Health Financing Forum from 25 to 27 November 2019, under the theme, “Sustainable Health Financing for Universal Health Coverage (UHC).” To achieve UHC, Ghana has identified Primary Health Care (PHC) as one of the key strategies in implementing its National Roadmap for UHC. The purpose of the meeting was to identify priorities and actions for achieving sustainable financing for UHC, through the revision of the National Health Financing Strategy and Implementation Plan.
Nearly 100 delegates from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Ghana Health Service, National Health Insurance Agency (NHIA), National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and international organizations such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Global Financing Facility (The GFF), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO) were present.
Addressing the audience, Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu said, “As Ghana initiates reforms geared towards achieving UHC, we must mobilize more domestic resources for health. Increasing funding is not enough. Resources must be used efficiently, and this underscores the need for improving the purchasing function of health financing, including reviewing the benefits package to guarantee essential service delivery for all Ghanaians.”
Ghana was one of the first countries in Africa to have a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) that was explicitly designed to go beyond the formal sector and help people access health care when they need it without experiencing financial hardship. However, only one-third (37%) of the population are members of the scheme, with the reliance on individual contributions remaining a barrier to its sustained expansion. The NHIS is also skewed towards providing curative care and gives little priority to the preventive and promotive services that are needed to enable sustainable progress towards UHC.
Additionally, Ghana’s primary health care system receives funding from multiple sources that are channelled through various financing agents, and the fragmentation in financing flows is a source of inefficiency. Furthermore, many of these organizations have different planning and budget implementation and reporting systems leading to delayed payments to health facilities.
Acting WHO Representative to Ghana, Dr Neema Kimambo said, “Ghana has made a strong political, legislative, and fiscal commitment to reforming its health system to achieve UHC. Despite these efforts, more health financing reforms are required to accelerate country progress towards UHC. For instance, Ghana will need to mobilize additional revenues for the health sector by adopting sustainable fiscal space expansion mechanisms.”
Dr Kimambo noted during her remarks that several of the signatory agencies to the Global Action Plan are ready to support Ghana’s reforms by offering collective and coherent support to the government.
![\"Ghana](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/gap/global-action-plan-sept19/ghana-groupwork-jpg-photo-credit-who-ghana.jpg?sfvrsn=b6d17aa8_4\")
During the two-day meeting, delegates identified several priorities and opportunities to improve Ghana’s National Health Financing Strategy. These actions include but are not limited to:
Enabling sustainable financing for health
The Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All launched in September at the UN General Assembly is a useful resource that outlines how 12 multilateral agencies will collaborate more effectively and provide more streamlined support to countries to accelerate progress towards the health-related SDGs.
Several of the signatory agencies to the Plan, namely the GFF, Global Fund, UNICEF the World Bank and WHO attended the meeting to engage with national stakeholders to identify critical areas where they can collectively offer support to the Government.
“Ghana has made remarkable progress. To help the country on its path to achieving UHC and the health-related SDGs, the World Bank along with Gavi, the Global Fund, the GFF and WHO are looking at ways to offer a comprehensive and cohesive package of technical and financial assistance to strengthen Ghana’s National Health Financing Strategy and a prioritized operational plan to implement the UHC roadmap,” said Toomas Palu, Senior Advisor on Health, Nutrition and Population for the World Bank.
Leaving no one behind
Reaching every person and community with comprehensive, quality health services and people-centred care requires putting the poorest and most marginalized first. Engaging civil society organizations is essential to ensure that Ghana’s reforms are responsive to people’s needs.
Cecelia Senoo, Executive Director for Future Generation and Chair of the Country Coordination Mechanism (CCM) and Member of the Civil Society Engagement Mechanism (CSEM) of UHC2030 said, “At the heart of UHC is equity. The Global Action Plan provides a powerful platform for civil society to engage and monitor the implementation of Ghana’s National Health Financial Strategy to reach those who need healthcare the most. We have a Social Accountability Mechanism that already exists. This mechanism will be expanded to monitor the implementation of UHC.”
The county has laid a good foundation for achieving UHC. Now it’s time for implementation.
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/candos-virology-lab-in-mauritius.-who-gilliane-soupe.jpeg?sfvrsn=a5432d7c_3&Status=Master\")
Dr Mokshanand Fhooblall works with RNA samples extracted from throat swabs at the Candos Virology Lab in Mauritius. © WHO / Gilliane Soupe
Thanks to generous contributions from Member States and other donors, WHO has been supporting countries in all regions with a multi-faceted approach to responding to the pandemic.
Funds provided to WHO are helping slow the spread of COVID-19 in countries all over the world. The support has enabled WHO, amongst others, to ship nearly 300 million items of personal protective equipment to close to 200 countries; strengthen hundreds of national and subnational laboratories with technical support and more than 250 million tests; coordinate the deployment of more than 180 teams and missions to strengthen critical response functions at national and subnational level; deliver 27 million respirators, and support more than 12 000 intensive care beds.
Here’s a sample of stories showing how WHO deployed its valuable donor contributions this past week:
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/ghana-health-service.-who-nana-kofi-acquah.jpg?sfvrsn=98ab4832_3&Status=Master\")
Theresa Twumwaa brought her daughter for postnatal care at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital. During the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO is supporting the Ghana Health Service in their efforts to continue providing essential medical services to the population. © WHO / Nana Kofi Acquah
Reinforcing key health services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana
To safely resume the mass polio immunization drive, WHO helped train vaccinators on COVID-19 prevention and provided them with personal protective equipment and hand sanitizer.
In collaboration with WHO, health authorities are now reviving and reinforcing essential services to not only better withstand disruption in case of a new COVID-19 wave, but also to improve quality.
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/italy_exr.jpg?sfvrsn=c1b6b35c_5&Status=Master\")
Dr Daniela Di Luca, an anesthesiologist who is currently serving as the Clinical Director of the COVID-19 ICU at the St. Orsola-Malpighi Polyclinic in Bologna, Italy says \"I think we'll overcome this. It has been tragic, we haven't seen anything like it since the Spanish flu. But I think we shall overcome. Already, the treatment has improved a lot\" © WHO/Lindsay Mackenzie
Mapping the pandemic in Europe
The WHO Regional Office for Europe has just launched its Public Health and Social Measures (PHSM) Severity Index to provide standardized data on the ways in which countries in the WHO European Region have sought to slow or stop community spread of COVID-19. This latest tool systematically captures and analyses individual governmental PHSM responses to COVID-19 in the region’s 53 countries.
By presenting epidemiological data and government measures, the new tool aims to inform countries’ efforts in further strengthening their response to the pandemic.
Cooperation between WHO and the European Union boosts response to COVID-19 in Cuba
The WHO Regional Office for the Americas recently announced a new cooperation agreement with the European Union to boost the COVID-19 response in Cuba. Through the agreement, the EU will contribute €1.5 million to strengthen the response capabilities of the Ministry of Public Health.
The initiative aims to reinforce national capacity to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing the availability of critical medical devices and personal protective equipment for health workers. It will also improve national capacity to perform diagnostics, epidemiological surveillance and improve treatment protocols.
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/donation-to-moh-belize.-paho.jpeg?sfvrsn=5d07ba1d_1&Status=Master\")
Donation of medical devices, PPEs, and food safety kits to the Ministry of Health and Wellness in Belize City, Belize. © PAHO
Belize: UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and WHO strengthen points of entry
To strengthen the COVID-19 response and surveillance at Belize’s points of entry, as well as mental health and psychosocial support related to the disease, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the WHO Regional Office for the Americas (PAHO) donated a stock of critical equipment. The shipment included 3 walk-through digital temperature body scanners, 13 HP Elitebook laptops with accessories, 5 desktop computers, 3 projectors, 8 digital cameras with accessories, 40 Samsung Galaxy tablets, and 34 refillable wall-mounted touchless sanitizer dispensers to the Ministry of Health.
In Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state with nearly 200 million people, the fight against COVID-19 has been particularly challenging. When cases surged after the lifting of the first series restrictions as part of its surveillance response activities with support from WHO, the state government put in place a mechanism to evaluate the status and quality of contact tracing to guide decision making for an informed public health response.
The WHO National Public Health Surveillance Project (NPSP) team of medical officers along with 800 field monitors undertook a massive exercise to assess the status and quality of contact tracing amongst the 58 000 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in 75 districts across the state.![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/singapore.jpg?sfvrsn=24aae240_3&Status=Master\")
Philippines: WHO donates COVID-19 data processing and encoding equipment
WHO has continued to support the Philippine government’s COVID-19 response by strengthening the Department of Health’s (DOH) Bureau of Quarantine. The office ensures that points of entry into the country are safe from the spread of infectious diseases and inspects health conditions of incoming and outgoing vessels and aircraft.
WHO recently delivered a large stock of IT equipment to the Bureau. The equipment is valued at $US 15 000 and will be used at the Manila headquarters and in seven major ports of entry in the Philippines to ensure an efficient surveillance process to detect COVID-19.
Read more about WHO’s response to COVID-19 across the world
Without the support of donors and partners, WHO would not be able to reach these countries in need and help them make it through the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHO thanks all governments, organizations and individuals contributing to the COVID-19 response around the world, and in particular those who have provided fully flexible contributions, to ensure a comprehensive fight against the disease.
African Development Bank, Alwaleed Foundation, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bulgaria, CAF, Canada, Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), China, Côte d’Ivoire, COVID MPTF, COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, European Commission, Finland, France, Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, Germany, GFATM, Pacific Health Officers’ Association, Guinea, Holy See, Iceland, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Japan, Ireland, Islamic Development Bank, Italy, King Baudouin Foundation, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Novartis International AG, OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), Pacific Health Officers’ Association, Pandemic Tech, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Slovenia, Russian Federation, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tetra Pak Export FZE, Standard Chartered Bank, Thailand, United Kingdom, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNDP/UNOSS, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UNFCU Foundation, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United States, Viet Nam, Vital Strategies/Resolve to Save Lives, World Bank, World Bank/PEF.
Read more about donors and partners contributing to the COVID-19 response
At the time WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) for SARS-CoV-2, the Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres for Bioethics was a well-\r\n established and productive network with a strong record of collaboration with WHO and each other. The network was established in 2009 and currently has 12 collaborating centres spread\r\n across all WHO regions. ![\"Team](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/headquarters/groups/global-summit-of-national-bioethics-committees/1764285378972.jpg?sfvrsn=1618b81f_3\" "\\"16th")
By early 2020, it was an experienced and well-functioning network with strong record in the development of WHO ethics guidance, including major contributions to emergency response and\r\n preparedness work in ethics prior to COVID-19. The network was well positioned to understand WHO’s role in emergency response, the ethical issues arising in epidemics, existing tools\r\n available and how these would need to be adapted to the emerging challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Network members are embedded in the global, regional and national ethics communities. They advise their own national agencies in the ethical challenges governments face during public\r\n health emergencies, including resource allocation, research ethics oversight, use of digital tools for surveillance, vaccination mandates, and are active in regional ethics bodies.
Network members were, therefore, best placed to provide rapid advice to the WHO Global Health Ethics team that allowed them to prioritize its work.
The network made a decisive contribution to WHO’s rapid response in addressing many ethical issues that arose during COVID-19.
With assistance from the network, WHO’s Global Health Ethics team was able to identify and address key gaps in normative guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist Member States. It was also able to support WHO colleagues from other technical teams with advice on ethical issues that arose in their work.
The ethical dilemmas faced by the global health community during the pandemic were intense and many. The network was vital to WHO’s ethics response to the pandemic precisely because it was experienced, diverse, well-connected and agile. WHO was able to quickly mobilise ethics expertise it needed as a result.
The WHO Global Health Ethics team was small, but effective and productive during the PHEIC thanks in large part to the contributions of the Bioethics Collaborating Centres Network.
NNetwork members served as the backbone of both the WHO Ethics COVID-19 Expert Group and the ACT-Accelerator Ethics & Governance Working Group, contributing countless time and effort and delivering work under tight turnaround times.
With help from the network, these working groups developed numerous WHO normative products and published about their work in external peer-reviewed journals. ![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/topics/emergencies-disasters-and-deliberate-events/covid-vaccination.jpg?sfvrsn=bcce78ab_3\" "\\"covid")
The institutions that form the network were able to share and learn from each other’s COVID\u201119 experiences. They shared strategies for handling similar challenges in their own countries, which strengthened mutual understanding and practical problem\u2011solving.
The collaboration also built capacity by deepening bilateral cooperation within the network and created a strong working relationship between members, the WHO Global Health Ethics team and regional focal points.
This collaboration also reinforced the value of digital tools, showing how they enable the group to mobilise quickly and work collaboratively on future projects.
As the network moves forward, it is now even stronger and better prepared to support WHO during the next health emergency.
","MultimediaNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Title":"A global ethics network at the heart of WHO\u2019s response to COVID-19","NewsNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Summary":"But this is only possible thanks to over 800 WHO Collaborating Centres that act as key technical partners of the Organization across the world. Thank you for all your support!","MetaTitle":"Global Forum of WHO Collaborating Centre : Collaborating for a healthier future","OtherRelated":"","OpenGraphDescription":"Thanks to over 800 WHO Collaborating Centres that act as key technical partners of the Organization across the world. Thank you for all your support!","MetaDescription":"Thanks to over 800 WHO Collaborating Centres that act as key technical partners of the Organization across the world. Thank you for all your support!","FactFileNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Highlight":"","Provider":"OpenAccessProvider","ThumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/topics/emergencies-disasters-and-deliberate-events/55384.tmb-768v.jpg?sfvrsn=acca5c65_1","FormatedDate":"25 March 2026","TrimmedTitle":"A global ethics network at the heart of WHO\u2019s response to COVID-19"},{"Id":"d10d8223-28e4-4018-9295-92d2e7fe07d3","LastModified":"2022-04-25T12:48:15Z","PublicationDate":"2020-09-17T12:06:20Z","DateCreated":"2020-09-17T12:06:20Z","IncludeInSitemap":true,"SystemSourceKey":null,"UrlName":"protecting-the-health-workers-who-protect-us-all","ItemDefaultUrl":"/protecting-the-health-workers-who-protect-us-all","FactSheetNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Subtitle":"","FeatureStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"CommentaryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"PublicationDateAndTime":"2020-09-17T18:00:00Z","PhotoStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"DocumentNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"OpenGraphTitle":"Protecting the health workers who protect us all","EventNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"SourceKey":null,"Content":"Reports of infections, illness, attacks and deaths among frontline health workers are mounting worldwide. As the war against COVID-19 rages on, WHO is calling on governments and health care leaders to protect the health workers who protect us all – particularly in emerging COVID-19 hotspots.
A new WHO Health Worker Safety Charter released on World Patient Safety Day 2020 is “dedicated to the millions of health workers fighting COVID-19 across the globe who put themselves and their families at risk to treat patients and contain the spread of this disease”.
Limited resources and health worker lives on the edge
Laila Collier is a hospital worker in Cape Town, South Africa who has treated many COVID-19 patients experiencing respiratory failure. At the beginning of the outbreak, she was told: “There’s no emergency in a pandemic.”
This advice, often given to medical teams, was that Laila should never compromise her own safety to address a momentary crisis; the best way for her to help the most patients was to look after her own health in the long-term. “This was the mantra we all hoped to implement in our practice,” she said.
But with grueling hours and limited supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), health workers like Laila have been forced to make tough choices. While working a 24-hour hospital shift, Laila found herself in a “chaotic” situation where the hospital was short-staffed, and she simultaneously cared for two patients – one with COVID-19 and one without. When her COVID-19 patient’s lungs began rapidly deteriorating, Laila grabbed any PPE she could find and ran to intubate the patient. When her goggles fogged up, Leila had to remove them to properly see the patient’s airway.
The procedure of intubation generates aerosols that can infect health workers. Laila successfully stabilized the patient, but not without placing herself at risk of acquiring COVID-19.
“When panic sets in and you are watching someone die in front you, and you know that you can potentially reverse the problem, you will take all chances and risks, often to your own detriment,” says Laila.
Health workers are bearing the brunt of the COVID-19 burden
Laila’s situation is far from unique. The vulnerability of health workers has been one of the harshest lessons of the pandemic so far. Although not representative, data from many countries across all WHO regions indicate that COVID-19 infections among health workers are far greater than those in the general population. While health workers represent less than 3% of the population in the large majority of countries and less than 2% in almost all low- and middle-income countries, around 14% of COVID-19 cases reported to WHO are among health workers. In some countries health workers account for as many as 35% of all COVID-19 infections.
The stress of the pandemic – exacerbated by a demanding work environment and fears for personal and family safety – has also taken a significant psychological toll. A recent review of health care professionals found one in four frontline health workers reported symptoms of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 outbreak. What’s more, health workers face rising levels of discrimination, verbal harassment and physical violence in their daily lives.
Patient safety depends on health worker safety
Health worker safety and patient safety are inseparable, and the world's ability to successfully fight the coronavirus pandemic depends on our ability to safeguard health workers. That is why the global health community is dedicating World Patient Safety Day on 17 September this year to an often-overlooked aspect of patient care – the safety of health workers.
WHO is calling on Member States and relevant stakeholders to support the new ‘Health Worker Safety: A Priority for Patient Safety Charter’ and commit to concrete actions that ensure safer conditions for health workers and patients – such as developing relevant policies, labor laws and supplying sufficient PPE. Ultimately, patients can only be safe if health workers are safe.
WHO has also outlined specific World Patient Safety Day 2020-2021 Goals for health facilities to invest in, measure, and improve health worker safety over the course of the next year. The goals address personal protective practices, workplace injuries stress and burnout – among other key safety issues.
COVID-19 has exposed serious gaps in the systems intended to protect both health workers and patients from harm. Now that governments and health care leaders know more, they must do more. As worldwide coronavirus cases reach new highs, we must invest and protect our health workers, like Laila, who risk their own lives in the line of duty.
- Charter: Health Worker Safety: A Priority for Patient Safety
- World Patient Safety Day Goals 2020-21
More than 11 000 people in Guinea participated in a WHO-led trial to develop the world’s first vaccine against Ebola virus disease. The ground-breaking trial, which ended in January 2016, resulted in a vaccine that is highly protective against the deadly virus. Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO, visited some of the communities who participated in the vaccine trial in the city of Conakry. Read some of their stories here.
![\"Dr](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/imported/dg-conakrye5e8986c7f914288b66dae69f5eea663.jpg?sfvrsn=3479da87_0\")
WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan, visited several families who participated in the Ebola vaccine trial in Guinea. She thanked the people for their participation in this ground-breaking trial which has resulted in the world’s first effective vaccine against Ebola. She presented the communities with bags of rice to mark WHO’s appreciation.
![\"Dr](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/imported/dg-conakry-sylla-large.jpg?sfvrsn=4edc719f_0\")
Aboubacar Sylla, 79 years old, lost 4 members of his family in the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014-2015. His family was shunned by their own community when Ebola struck his family in the crowded commune of Dixinn Port, in the city of Conakry, Guinea. “Before the Ebola outbreak, everyone talked to one another here. Then suddenly we weren’t even allowed to leave our house,” he said. People stopped using the well in the open area in front of their home for fear of contamination and the children were forbidden to step out past the boundary of their front courtyard where they were used to play.\r\n
Sylla and his extended family of around 70 people took part in the Ebola vaccine trial in Guinea led by WHO. The trial lasted from March 2015 - January 2016, and resulted in the development of the first vaccine to provide substantial protection against Ebola.
Here, Mr Sylla holds his certificate of vaccination, sitting next to Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General, who visited several families in Conakry who had participated in the vaccine trial. She thanked them for participating in the trial.
![\"Sekou](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/imported/dg-conakry-chief-large.jpg?sfvrsn=c6d6e66e_0\")
Sekou Minkailou [centre], chief of Matam district in Conakry, worked closely with the WHO team to convince his people to participate in the Ebola vaccine trial. “We feel really happy, so relieved that this vaccine protects us,” he said.
In Matam district, 10 people, including a doctor, had already died during the Ebola outbreak and people were frightened of the new disease that they had never seen before in their country. “People were so scared, they refused to follow the advice from the government and health workers. They didn’t even want the Red Cross to be involved. They hid the bodies of people who died from Ebola because there was such horrible stigma attached to the family once it was touched by Ebola.”
Sekou and his colleagues in the district office were often the first people to have contact with families when a new Ebola case was announced.
![\"An](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/imported/dg-conakry-nana.jpg?sfvrsn=e75db886_0\")
Nana Sylla, 32 years old, has 2 daughters Mabinty [left], 11 years and Lucie [below], 7 years. In April 2015, she got infected with the Ebola virus and spent 2 weeks in Nonga Ebola treatment centre in Guinea. She doesn’t know how she got infected but says it wasn’t while she was working as a nurse.\r\n
Today she believes that rapid treatment saved her life. And she credits the vaccine trial as having protected her daughters, other close family members and neighbours from infection in the days following the onset of her disease. “We never knew who or when this disease would strike next. Everyone was afraid, so we really appreciate having this vaccine now,” she said.
![\"A](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/imported/dg-conakry-keita.jpg?sfvrsn=d83da20_0\")
At the peak of the Ebola outbreak in Guinea, so many people turned up at the Nongo Ebola treatment centre that it ran out of place, leaving people to die on the gravel outside.
Two years later, the former Ebola treatment centre appears abandoned. Large white tents flap in the hot air and an eerie silence emanates from the temporary buildings and corridors of plastic fencing that served as triage laneways to channel sick people as they arrived at the centre. Patient records and staff rosters scribbled on whiteboards mark a moment in time in this place where so many lives were lost. “One night, 28 people died here. I still have nightmares, I saw too many dead people,” said Dr Mohammed Keita, manager of the centre where he was in charge of 250 staff.
Keita tells how one night a pregnant woman came to the centre. She was already bleeding and very ill. It was too late to save her. She gave birth to a baby girl before she died. “That little baby was blessed by God,” he said, pointing to a photo of the child taped to the wall. “The baby tested positive for Ebola and we thought she would surely die as well. Then, a few days later, she tested negative for the disease. We all looked after her here, naming her Nubia after one of the health workers who worked at the centre.”
Since the Ebola outbreak ended, the treatment centre now cares for people with other infectious diseases including measles, yellow fever and other diseases with potential to cause epidemics.
![\"Fatoumata](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/imported/dg-conakry-binta-large.jpg?sfvrsn=fd07831f_0\")
Fatoumata Binta sits in her tiny living room in the district of Coronthie, Conakry, clutching a pile of paper certificates protected by plastic. Each of these precious certificates bears the name of one her children: Djenab, Hassamata, Aboubacar and N’Famoussa. Every one of them had been infected with Ebola and survived. Fatoumata and her husband also got sick. Her husband, who got sick first, didn’t make it.
Fatoumata and her children were all identified early on in their illness and treated in the Donka Treatment Centre. On the day they were discharged from the Ebola treatment centre in Donka in April 2015, Fatoumata\r\n and her 4 young children received their “survivors’” certificates, signed by a doctor to verify that they were free from the disease and no longer contagious.
Two years later, Fatoumata says that beyond her close family, some people treat her as if she still has Ebola. “I used to sell food,” she said. “But people stopped buying from me.” Fatoumata Binta, pictured here with her other daughter who is also called Fatoumata. Fatoumata also adopted a child whose parents died of Ebola.\r\n
![\"Aboubacar](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/imported/dg-conakry-sylla-son-large.jpg?sfvrsn=c411a04c_0\")
Aboubacar Mafoudia Sylla (or Aboubacar Jr) took his sister M’Mah to a treatment centre in Nongo, Guinea, when she started showing symptoms of Ebola. Early treatment helped save her life.
“Everyone was so scared of Ebola but I couldn’t just abandon my sister. She would have died,” he said, telling how his decision to ride in the ambulance with her caused division within the family. Since then, even though he never got sick, Aboubacar Jr has suffered stigma from his contact with Ebola and has found it difficult to get regular work.\r\n
This all inspired Aboubacar Jr to take part in the Ebola vaccine trial. At first, he was reluctant to get involved. This was an experimental vaccine. What if it made his family sick? Did it contain the Ebola virus? Would it really protect his family against Ebola? But now the trial results have shown how worthwhile it was.
","MultimediaNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Title":"Ebola vaccines for Guinea and the world: photos","NewsNumberOfAdditionalItems":1,"Summary":"","MetaTitle":"Ebola vaccines for Guinea and the world: photos","OtherRelated":"","OpenGraphDescription":"WHO Director-General thanked the participants of the Ebola vaccine trial, Guinea","MetaDescription":"Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO, visited some of the communities who participated in the vaccine trial in the city of Conakry.","FactFileNumberOfAdditionalItems":1,"Highlight":"
Measures to control COVID-19 can be made more effective by targeting, embracing, and engaging informal workers, migrants and other populations in vulnerable situations, say new recommendations from the WHO Regional Office for the Americas (AMRO/PAHO). These measures and more are detailed in the newly launched “Guidelines for the application of non-pharmacological public health measures in populations in vulnerable situations in the context of COVID-19.”
The publication includes guidance on how to improve the effectiveness of interventions such as school and business closures, confinement at home, restrictions on transportation, and others – by ensuring that everyone can adhere to them, especially those populations in vulnerable situations. Recommendations are made on identifying the groups most impacted by these interventions and their barriers to adherence, along with suggestions on how to adapt the interventions so populations are protected.
Informal workers, migrants, and people living in overcrowded conditions, have been especially vulnerable during the pandemic.
The 60-page publication notes that some interventions have had negative secondary effects on these population groups, many of whom were struggling even before COVID-19 hit. It calls on policy makers to address the unintended effects of interventions such as business closures that leave informal workers without pay. Likewise, some of the public health recommendations – such as telling people to wash their hands frequently when they have little or no access to clean water and soap - have proven difficult for them.
Leaders must always consider equity issues and the social determinants of health when considering how to deal with the pandemic, the publication’s authors conclude.
WHO thanks all donors and partners who have contributed to fund the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to combat COVID-19. A special appreciation goes to Member States and other contributors who provided flexible funds, making it possible for WHO to deliver a coherent, strategic and broad response.
Read more about new recommendations to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in the AmericasRead more about WHO’s response to COVID-19
![\"mohindo](\"https://cdn-auth-cms.who.int/media-aut/images/default-source/imported/mohindo-baby-eye-test-by-dr-drc-ebola_69153b1a-1c60-4820-a97b-f021cb3e0ca3.jpg\" "\\"mohindo")
Muhindo, a young Ebola survior, has his eyes tested by Dr Steven Yeh
WHO/J. D. Kannah
Knowledge gained following the 2014–16 West Africa Ebola outbreak identified a number of challenges survivors face, including reduced or blurred vision stemming from inflammation of their eyes. About 20% of survivors from that outbreak had some form of eye problem.![\"Beni](\"https://www.who.int/images/default-source/ebola-drc/beni-north-kivu-drc-ebola.tmb-1024v.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=b1bbda58_5\" "\\"Beni")
An aerial view of the city of Beni in North Kivu province
World Bank/V. Tremeau\r\n
By identifying and treating these problems early, serious consequences, including blindness, can be averted. With the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the World Health Organization recently organized an eye clinic to check on the eye health of survivors of the current Ebola outbreak.![\"shantha](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/imported/shantha-yeh-ebola-eye-test-drc.tmb-1024v.jpg?sfvrsn=36983a87_5\" "\\"shantha")
Dr Jessica Shantha (left) and Dr Steven Yeh (right), professors from Emory University, check the eyes of an Ebola survivor for any potential complications
WHO/J. D. Kannah\r\n
The clinic was held in Beni, DRC, one of the affected areas, from 25 March to 1 April. In addition, an eye clinic in Butembo, another affected area, was equipped so that they can provide this specialized care to survivors there. This is the first time in an Ebola outbreak that follow-up for eye care has happened so soon after survivors have been released from care.![\"mohindo](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/imported/mohindo-baby-eye-test-drc-ebola.jpg?sfvrsn=bd172caf_10\" "\\"mohindo")
Ms Kanyare brings her baby Muhindo to the clinic
WHO/J. D. Kannah\r\n
Several survivors also helped with the planning and administration of the clinic. Partners in this project include Emory University, which deployed two ophthalmologists, and University of North Carolina which deployed one ophthalmologist to the project via the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, which is hosted by WHO.![\"centrine](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/imported/centrine-eye-test-ebola-drc.jpg?sfvrsn=ab7ca76_10\" "\\"centrine")
Centrine takes an eye test to check for any complications following her survival from Ebola
WHO/J. D. Kannah\r\n
Over 250 survivors were seen. The team noted that complications such as uveitis were observed at lower rates compared to cases from the 2014–16 West Africa Ebola outbreak. So far only one survivor had eye complications that may be linked to Ebola.![\"telesphore](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/imported/telesphore-mumbere-eye-test-drc-ebola.tmb-1024v.jpg?sfvrsn=d7db561e_5\" "\\"telesphore")
Télesphore Mumbere, Professor of Ophthalmology at the University Clinic Butembo, checks the eyes of an Ebola survivor
WHO/J. D. Kannah\r\n
As part of the programme, international specialists trained 10 Congolese ophthalmologists on how to identify and treat Ebola-related eye issues. Feedback from participating national healthcare providers and enrolled survivors was overwhelmingly positive.![\"christian](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/imported/christian-eye-test-ebola-drc.jpg?sfvrsn=64e8c595_10\" "\\"christian")
Christian has his eyes checked by Dr Steven Yeh
WHO/J. D. Kannah\r\n
Next steps will be to continue to follow up with survivors, at the clinics held each month, where they are provided medical, biological and psychological care. There are currently over 300 survivors registered in the follow-up programme.
","MultimediaNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Title":"Eye care for Ebola survivors","NewsNumberOfAdditionalItems":1,"Summary":"In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, local ophthalmologists are learning to provide specialized care to Ebola survivors. ","MetaTitle":"Eye care for Ebola survivors","OtherRelated":"","OpenGraphDescription":"In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, local ophthalmologists are learning to provide specialized care to Ebola survivors.","MetaDescription":"","FactFileNumberOfAdditionalItems":1,"Highlight":"
Nigerian health investment firm Flying Doctors, working with WHO and Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control (CDC), has set up mobile booths for COVID-19 testing in the country.
The booths, operating in the country’s worst-affected states, separate the sample collector from the people being tested and have significantly increased COVID-19 testing.
Previously collectors would take samples in private homes, heightening infections risks through exposure. In addition to protecting frontline health workers, the practice saves time and money.
WHO continues to support Nigeria’s CDC and the national response system by providing resources for training and supplies for sample collection and testing.
WHO thanks all donors and partners who have contributed to fund the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to combat COVID-19. A special appreciation goes to Member States and other contributors who provided flexible funds, making it possible for WHO to deliver a coherent, strategic and broad response.
Read more about WHO’s response to COVID-19","MultimediaNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Title":"Nigeria: \u2018Flying Doctors\u2019 supported by WHO boost COVID-19 testing","NewsNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Summary":"Nigerian health investment firm Flying Doctors, working with WHO and Nigeria\u2019s Centre for Disease control, has set up mobile booths for COVID-19 testing in the country.","MetaTitle":"Nigeria: \u2018Flying Doctors\u2019 supported by WHO boost COVID-19 testing","OtherRelated":"","OpenGraphDescription":"","MetaDescription":"","FactFileNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Highlight":"","Provider":"OpenAccessProvider","ThumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/nigeria-exr.tmb-768v.png?sfvrsn=fb1fdcd2_3","FormatedDate":"30 October 2020","TrimmedTitle":"Nigeria: \u2018Flying Doctors\u2019 supported by WHO boost COVID-19 testing"},{"Id":"f52a630f-9a48-46fa-a217-59ce20979705","LastModified":"2023-02-14T15:04:48Z","PublicationDate":"2020-06-05T11:34:58Z","DateCreated":"2020-06-05T11:34:58Z","IncludeInSitemap":true,"SystemSourceKey":null,"UrlName":"sitora-s-story-building-a-better-future-for-people-with-disability","ItemDefaultUrl":"/sitora-s-story-building-a-better-future-for-people-with-disability","FactSheetNumberOfAdditionalItems":0,"Subtitle":"","FeatureStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":0,"CommentaryNumberOfAdditionalItems":0,"PublicationDateAndTime":"2019-12-03T23:01:00Z","PhotoStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":1,"DocumentNumberOfAdditionalItems":0,"OpenGraphTitle":"Sitora\u2019s story: building a better future for people with disability","EventNumberOfAdditionalItems":1,"SourceKey":null,"Content":"
For Sitora Kurbonova life in a wheelchair only spurred her on to build a better future.
\r\nAfter contracting polio as a child in her hometown of Kanibadam, in Tajikistan’s far-north, she lost the use of her legs as a child.
\r\n“My parents had to come up with a lot of new things for me. They reset their priorities,” she says.
\r\nA self-starter, she graduated with a Psychology degree from Moscow State University of Art and Culture, and now leads a public organization that fights for the rights of women with disability in Tajikistan.
\r\n“On my own initiative, I started working with people with disabilities back in 2004. I’ve helped with all sorts of support groups since then, for girls and women – both with and without disabilities.”
\r\nLike many countries, in Tajikistan, it’s often hard for people with disability to access crucial health services, as well as family, work and community activities.
\r\n“Last year I went for a blood test in [the capital] Dushanbe,” Kurbonova explains, “but I couldn’t get in because of the steps at the entrance. They wanted to take my blood on the street – as if that’s normal!”
\r\n“I was pretty upset about it, so I asked some passers-by to lift me up the steps. This way I could do the tests in a safe, clean environment, just like everybody else does.”
\r\n
\r\n![\"disabilities-2\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/temporary/disabilities-2.tmb-768v.jpg?sfvrsn=d330b4ce_2\" "\\"disabilities-2\\"")
\r\nSebastian Liste/NOOR
A landmark WHO-Gallup study, funded by USAID, covering almost 1 billion people in India, Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Tajikistan, shows that there may be more people living with disability than previously thought.
\r\nThe Brief Model Disability Survey and Gallup World Poll shows that in India, 16% of people over the age of 15 – around 145 million people – experience severe disability, along with 23% of Laotians and 8% of people in Tajikistan.
\r\nThe study also shows that people with higher levels of disability face greater health problems.
\r\nThree out of four people with severe disability reported at least one health condition, with over 40% of people with severe disability reporting health problems that prevent them from doing things other people their own age can do.
\r\nIn all countries – and likely worldwide – people with disability face major barriers to living healthy, active and fulfilling lives.
\r\nA lack of ramps, lifts, accessible housing and public transport makes life far harder for well over half of people living with disability in all three countries. They are also far more likely to live in poverty.
\r\nPeople with disability are more likely to need assistive devices, such as glasses, hearing aids or wheelchairs, and there is a huge unmet need – up to 30% in Laos for people with severe disability - for quality, affordable and user-friendly aids.
\r\nIn Tajikistan – as elsewhere – stigma and discrimination also pose major barriers.
\r\n“One of our biggest problems is that we’re often just put away in the background,” says Sitora Kurbonova.
\r\n“These bad attitudes that mix compassion with being patronizing also bring down people’s confidence and self-esteem. We need to fight this, as it stops people with disability from taking part in society.”
\r\nAccording to the WHO-Gallup Survey, just 1 in 10 people with severe disability see themselves as ‘thriving,’ and in India and Laos, persons with severe disability are twice is likely to feel that their living standards are declining, with people in Tajikistan 4 times as likely to feel this way.
\r\n“This data marks a clear call to governments in India, Laos, Tajikistan - and everywhere - to step up their efforts to build more equitable societies,” says Alarcos Cieza, WHO’s global coordinator for the programmes on sensory functions, disability and rehabilitation.
\r\nWith population growth, ageing and a rise in non-communicable diseases like diabetes and heart disease, the number of people living with disability is rising worldwide.
\r\n“What we need is policies and actions that target people with severe disability and chronic conditions, and that boost access for people living with disability. This should include barrier-free health services, barrier-free public transport and accessible spaces to socialize.”
\r\nThe WHO-Gallup study also calls on governments to boost access to food, shelter, job opportunities and communications technology and to enhance efforts to make communities safer.
\r\nBack in Tajikistan, Sitora Kurbonova is busy checking the accessibility and quality of the health services for women living with disability in her district.
\r\n“On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities – and every day - what we need is a whole of society push for a future where the human rights of all people living with disabilities are met in full,” she says.
\r\n“Disability inclusion is a fundamental human right. We just can’t wait any longer.”
","MultimediaNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Title":"Sitora\u2019s story: building a better future for people with disability","NewsNumberOfAdditionalItems":3,"Summary":"For Sitora Kurbonova life in a wheelchair only spurred her on to build a better future. \r\nAfter contracting polio as a child in her hometown of Kanibadam, in Tajikistan\u2019s far-north, she lost the use of her legs as a child.","MetaTitle":"Sitora\u2019s story: building a better future for people with disability","OtherRelated":"","OpenGraphDescription":"For Sitora Kurbonova life in a wheelchair only spurred her on to build a better future. \r\nAfter contracting polio as a child in her hometown of Kanibadam, in Tajikistan\u2019s far-north, she lost the use of her legs as a child.","MetaDescription":"For Sitora Kurbonova life in a wheelchair only spurred her on to build a better future. \r\nAfter contracting polio as a child in her hometown of Kanibadam, in Tajikistan\u2019s far-north, she lost the use of her legs as a child.","FactFileNumberOfAdditionalItems":1,"Highlight":"","Provider":"OpenAccessProvider","ThumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/temporary/disabilities-1.tmb-768v.jpg?sfvrsn=364a0ee9_2","FormatedDate":"3 December 2019","TrimmedTitle":"Sitora\u2019s story: building a better future for people with disability"},{"Id":"ab6c7ade-a99c-417b-8bb8-20ac838df687","LastModified":"2024-09-12T16:44:56Z","PublicationDate":"2020-09-15T14:58:52Z","DateCreated":"2020-09-15T14:58:52Z","IncludeInSitemap":true,"SystemSourceKey":null,"UrlName":"iraq-kurdistan-who-delivers-covid-19-health-supplies-for-syrian-refugees-with-usaid-and-kuwait-funds","ItemDefaultUrl":"/iraq-kurdistan-who-delivers-covid-19-health-supplies-for-syrian-refugees-with-usaid-and-kuwait-funds","FactSheetNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Subtitle":"","FeatureStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"CommentaryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"PublicationDateAndTime":"2020-08-25T10:30:00Z","PhotoStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"DocumentNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"OpenGraphTitle":"Iraq/Kurdistan: WHO delivers COVID-19 health supplies for Syrian refugees with USAID and Kuwait funds","EventNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"SourceKey":null,"Content":"WHO recently delivered six ambulances to the Ministry of Health to improve life-saving services for the vulnerable population of Syrian refugees and the host community in Erbil in the Kurdistan region. The delivery also included 22 tonnes of health equipment including oxygen concentrators, nucleic acid extraction kits, viral transport medium, personal protective equipment and intensive care hospital beds.
Strong ambulatory and referral services are the backbone of health care services and were urgently needed in Erbil, home to more than 1.8 million vulnerable people.
The ambulances are equipped with GPS tracking systems and essential equipment to stabilize patients with urgent medical conditions, including COVID-19, heart attacks and traumatic injuries as well as patients with other severe medical conditions.
To make this live saving delivery happen, WHO received generous support from the United States Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Government of Kuwait.
","MultimediaNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Title":"Iraq/Kurdistan: WHO delivers COVID-19 health supplies for Syrian refugees with USAID and Kuwait funds","NewsNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Summary":"WHO recently delivered six ambulances to the Ministry of Health to improve life-saving services for the vulnerable population of Syrian refugees and the host community in Erbil in the Kurdistan region. The delivery also included 22 tonnes of health equipment including oxygen concentrators, nucleic acid extraction kits, viral transport medium, personal protective equipment and intensive care hospital beds.","MetaTitle":"Iraq/Kurdistan: WHO delivers COVID-19 health supplies for Syrian refugees with USAID and Kuwait funds","OtherRelated":"Read more about WHO’s response to COVID-19
","OpenGraphDescription":"WHO recently delivered six ambulances to the Ministry of Health to improve life-saving services for the vulnerable population of Syrian refugees and the host community in Erbil in the Kurdistan region. The delivery also included 22 tonnes of health equipment including oxygen concentrators, nucleic acid extraction kits, viral transport medium, personal protective equipment and intensive care hospital beds.","MetaDescription":"WHO recently delivered six ambulances to the Ministry of Health to improve life-saving services for the vulnerable population of Syrian refugees and the host community in Erbil in the Kurdistan region. The delivery also included 22 tonnes of health equipment including oxygen concentrators, nucleic acid extraction kits, viral transport medium, personal protective equipment and intensive care hospital beds.","FactFileNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Highlight":"","Provider":"OpenAccessProvider","ThumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/eios-gtm-photos/who-staff-member-supplies5875dc3a-7fb5-4817-9c83-2bc533a4f3fd.tmb-768v.jpg?sfvrsn=2c8ae078_1","FormatedDate":"25 August 2020","TrimmedTitle":"Iraq/Kurdistan: WHO delivers COVID-19 health supplies for Syrian refugees with USAID and Kuwait funds"},{"Id":"ea8cafe4-43dd-4047-9c7c-cad28f5631f2","LastModified":"2024-09-13T01:19:38Z","PublicationDate":"2021-02-16T16:11:58Z","DateCreated":"2021-02-16T16:11:59Z","IncludeInSitemap":true,"SystemSourceKey":null,"UrlName":"strengthening-human-resources-for-rehabilitation-in-tajikistan","ItemDefaultUrl":"/strengthening-human-resources-for-rehabilitation-in-tajikistan","FactSheetNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Subtitle":"","FeatureStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"CommentaryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"PublicationDateAndTime":"2018-08-23T15:00:00Z","PhotoStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"DocumentNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"OpenGraphTitle":"Strengthening human resources for rehabilitation in Tajikistan","EventNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"SourceKey":null,"Content":"The content of this feature story has been published on the WHO Regional Office for Europe and be accessed here.
","MultimediaNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Title":"Strengthening human resources for rehabilitation in Tajikistan","NewsNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Summary":"","MetaTitle":"Strengthening human resources for rehabilitation in Tajikistan","OtherRelated":"","OpenGraphDescription":"","MetaDescription":"","FactFileNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Highlight":"","Provider":"OpenAccessProvider","ThumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/rehabilitation/rehabilitation-in-tjke5b5078b-8299-4ae5-b631-35d633ecfdd8.tmb-768v.png?sfvrsn=6ba1b6d4_3","FormatedDate":"23 August 2018","TrimmedTitle":"Strengthening human resources for rehabilitation in Tajikistan"},{"Id":"ee84245d-2f9d-4783-a8eb-82f396be550d","LastModified":"2024-08-22T18:26:16Z","PublicationDate":"2021-08-20T13:09:46Z","DateCreated":"2021-08-20T13:09:47Z","IncludeInSitemap":true,"SystemSourceKey":null,"UrlName":"lower-income-countries-and-indigenous-populations-receive-who-assistance-amid-the-ongoing-threat-of-covid-19","ItemDefaultUrl":"/lower-income-countries-and-indigenous-populations-receive-who-assistance-amid-the-ongoing-threat-of-covid-19","FactSheetNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Subtitle":"","FeatureStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"CommentaryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"PublicationDateAndTime":"2021-08-20T13:09:20Z","PhotoStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"DocumentNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"OpenGraphTitle":"Lower-income countries and indigenous populations receive WHO assistance amid the ongoing threat of COVID-19","EventNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"SourceKey":null,"Content":"“There remains a shocking imbalance in the global distribution of vaccines,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General at the recent International Forum on Vaccine Cooperation.
“WHO is working to support low- and middle-income countries to strengthen their capacity to roll out vaccines effectively and efficiently when they arrive. But we still have a lot of work to do. We need to dramatically scale up the number of vaccines\r\n being produced for lower-income countries,” he added.
WHO, thanks to its partners and donors, is working around the world to boost vaccine equity and ensure that everyone, everywhere has a chance to be protected.
Delivering vaccines to countries in need
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/usa_exr.jpg?sfvrsn=803daf99_3&Status=Master\")
COVAX vaccines arrive in Manila. Published in August 2021 by WHO Philippines.
Philippines: Three million vaccines from the United States of America delivered by COVAX Facility
Three million doses of COVID-19 vaccines were recently donated by the Government of the United States to the Philippines, through the COVAX Facility. This comes at a crucial moment as Manila braces for a hard lockdown to stem the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19.
The most recent arrival brings the total of COVAX donations to the Philippines to 13.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Of these, 6 million doses were donated by the United States as part of its global vaccine-sharing strategy, which aims to provide\r\n at least 80 million vaccine doses to countries most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVAX Facility is co-led by WHO, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness and Innovations (CEPI), GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance and UNICEF.
Sri Lanka: Large consignment of vaccines received from Japan via the COVAX Facility
Over 728,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines were recently delivered to Sri Lanka out of a total contribution of over 1.4 million doses provided by the Government of Japan through COVAX. This is the third COVAX allocation to Sri Lanka, all being entirely donor-funded,\r\n at no cost to the country.
The Government of Japan’s donation is an important response to the call for dose-sharing through COVAX as an immediate measure to address shortages in vaccine supply.
Viet Nam: COVAX delivers additional 1.18 million COVID-19 vaccine doses
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/vietnam_exrcfb02058-b462-484c-b6a8-b5272babe02e.jpg?sfvrsn=4d78ec72_3&Status=Master\")
Published in August 2021 by WHO Viet Nam.
Viet Nam recently received approximately 1.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX Facility,\r\n bringing the total donations to the country to over 8.5 million doses. The United States Government has so far shared over 5 million Moderna vaccine doses with Viet Nam through COVAX.
Lao PDR: Japan donates COVID-19 vaccines
Lao PDR recently received a donation of over 600,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines from the Government of Japan through the COVAX Facility to strengthen the country’s vaccination rollout.
Liberia: Event boosts COVID-19 vaccine rollout
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/liberia_exre19e9b4b-d55f-459d-a0cd-236b6d724674.jpg?sfvrsn=26e9b150_3&Status=Master\")
Citizens wait for administration of vaccine doses in Monrovia. Published in August 2021 by WHO/AFRO.
Liberia reached another significant milestone in the fight against COVID-19 as 302,400 doses were\r\n added to its vaccination campaign through a donation by the United States Government via the COVAX Facility.
An event which marked the acceleration of the campaign was attended by dignitaries from the Liberian Government, members of the diplomatic community, WHO, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US-CDC), United States Agency for International\r\n Development (USAID) and other international and national partners, as well as civil society organizations and members of the media.
Countries in the WHO South-East Asia Region scale up vaccination
More than half a billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the WHO South-East Asia Region, with more vaccine doses becoming available and countries scaling up efforts to rapidly expand coverage amid a\r\n current surge in cases. As of 6 August, 618.5 million doses had been administered. As many as 146 million people have received two vaccine doses and are fully vaccinated. India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Thailand and\r\n Timor-Leste have all made commendable efforts.
Advocating for indigenous communities
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/indigenous-paho_exr.jpg?sfvrsn=23cedf59_3&Status=Master\")
Published in August 2021 by WHO/PAHO.
WHO in the Americas calls for more assistance for hard-hit indigenous communities during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond
Pan American Health Organization (WHO/PAHO) Regional Director Carissa F Etienne reported that 617,000 indigenous people have been infected with COVID-19 in the Americas and urged countries to prioritize hard-hit communities.
“It is likely that many more have been infected, but we may not know it because they have struggled to get the COVID-19 care they deserve,” she said during a recent weekly media briefing. She added that “nearly 15,000 [indigenous people]\r\n have died from COVID-19 complications since the start of the pandemic.” The statistics are based on data from several countries. Many indigenous peoples in the Americas live in remote and isolated areas where a clinic or a doctor may be many\r\n kilometres or days away. Even those who live in urban centres still face invisible barriers–like language, stigma, and poverty–that can keep health care out of reach.
On the occasion of International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on 9 August, Dr Etienne noted that the pandemic has exacerbated inequalities in the Americas, adding that most indigenous peoples lack the financial and social safety\r\n nets to ensure they can continue to provide for their families and communities, even when they are sick.
Colombia: Contributing to indigenous health and well-being in the Amazon
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/colombia_exr.jpg?sfvrsn=4b55387c_3&Status=Master\")
Published in August 2021.
In order to promote community health strategies and empower indigenous health leaders as health risk managers in 4 indigenous communities in the Amazonas region, WHO conducted workshops on first response, psychological first aid, community-based public\r\n health surveillance and participatory communication.
The workshops included the participation of health leaders appointed by traditional indigenous authorities. The training sessions established first response teams and served as a venue to provide necessary equipment. The initiative aimed to bridge traditional\r\n and western medicine. The project was supported by the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
Yemen: KSrelief partners with WHO to save lives from COVID-19
![\"\"](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/yemen_exr.jpg?sfvrsn=48b18947_3&Status=Master\")
Published by WHO/EMRO in August 2021. ©WHO/Omar Nasr
Throughout the pandemic, WHO has been working in partnership with the King Salman Centre for Humanitarian Aid and Relief in the fight against COVID-19 in Yemen. Through this partnership, and in coordination with local authorities, WHO has been enabling\r\n rapid detection and response to COVID-19 cases through the Emergency Operations Centres, which represent a platform for an integrated, multisectoral coordination system at central and governorate levels across the country.
Survivor Ali Mothana recently battled COVID-19 but was able to receive the treatment he needed at the WHO-supported intensive care unit in Al Sadakah hospital in Aden. He is now recovering and is grateful for the healthcare he received.
****
Partners and donors recognized in this feature are the governments of Japan, United States of America, United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness and Innovations (CEPI), GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, and\r\n UNICEF.
WHO thanks all governments, organizations and individuals contributing to the COVID-19 response around the world since the beginning of the outbreak, and in particular, those who have provided fully flexible contributions to ensure a comprehensive fight against the disease.
Member States and other governments in 2021:
Australia, Belgium, Canada, Comoros, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lesotho, Malta, Mauritania, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of\r\n Korea, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States.
Other partners in 2021:
African Development Bank Group, Appui Moral, Matériel et Intellectuel à l'Enfant (AMMIE), African Reinsurance Corporation, Asian Development Bank, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, China Medical Board, COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund,\r\n European Commission (ECHO, NEAR, DG INTPA), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), Gavi-The Vaccine Alliance, Global Fund, International Development Association (IDA), International\r\n Organization for Migration (IOM), Islamic Development Bank, National Philanthropic Trust, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), Kuwait Fund for Development, Rockefeller Foundation, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Susan\r\n Thompson Buffett Foundation, Task Force for Global Health, United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian\r\n Affairs (UN OCHA), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Veolia Environment Foundation, Vital Strategies, United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), World Bank.
Read more about donors and partners contributing to the COVID-19 response
","MultimediaNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Title":"Lower-income countries and indigenous populations receive WHO assistance amid the ongoing threat of COVID-19","NewsNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Summary":"","MetaTitle":"Lower-income countries and indigenous populations receive WHO assistance amid the ongoing threat of COVID-19","OtherRelated":"","OpenGraphDescription":"","MetaDescription":"","FactFileNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Highlight":"Read more about WHO’s response to COVID-19 across the world
Read more about donors and partners contributing to the COVID-19 response
","Provider":"OpenAccessProvider","ThumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/yemen_exr.tmb-768v.jpg?sfvrsn=48b18947_3","FormatedDate":"20 August 2021","TrimmedTitle":"Lower-income countries and indigenous populations receive WHO assistance amid the ongoing threat of COVID-19"},{"Id":"1b1e2f16-f7a3-465a-8cfe-0124a0e4bd6b","LastModified":"2024-08-14T11:01:47Z","PublicationDate":"2024-02-22T18:34:11Z","DateCreated":"2024-02-22T18:34:11Z","IncludeInSitemap":true,"SystemSourceKey":null,"UrlName":"strengthening-primary-health-care-with-a-community-health-strategy-in-mozambique","ItemDefaultUrl":"/strengthening-primary-health-care-with-a-community-health-strategy-in-mozambique","FactSheetNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Subtitle":"","FeatureStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"CommentaryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"PublicationDateAndTime":"2024-08-13T09:02:39Z","PhotoStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"DocumentNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"OpenGraphTitle":"Strengthening Primary Health Care with a Community Health Strategy in Mozambique","EventNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"SourceKey":null,"Content":"
Mozambique has embarked on a journey to strengthen its primary health care (PHC) services and community health initiatives, through a decentralized governance model since 2019. With support from a collaborative effort between the Global Financing Facility (GFF), Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GF), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), World Health Organization (WHO) and World Bank (WB), Mozambique has made progress to meet many of its health goals. According to the Demographic and Health Survey of 2023, the under-five mortality rate improved to 60 per 1000 live births, down from 97 in 2011, and the neonatal mortality rate decreased from 30 to 24 per 1000 live births over this period (1). Additionally, the maternal mortality ratio in Mozambique has improved from 532 deaths per 100 000 live births in 2000 to 127 in 2020, which is lower than the regional average (2). Addressing maternal mortality stands as a top priority under the Community Health Strategy (CHS), which aims to diminish mortality rates by promptly identifying risks among pregnant women and ensuring early referrals from the community to health facilities with greater capacity.
![\"Religious](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/gap/religious-sermon-maternal-newborn-child-health-mosque-mozambique.jpg?sfvrsn=7c22f1b1_5\")
Religious sermon on maternal, neonatal and child health at the Rasague Mustafa Mosque, Mozambique.
Credit: The Interfaith Communication Platform for Health.
UNICEF and WHO actively collaborated with the Ministry of Health (MoH) in 2021 to develop a comprehensive CHS and design its pilot implementation, which was subsequently approved by the MoH in 2022. WHO continues to provide technical support for the strategic process, piloting and development of legal documents, while UNICEF offers technical support for the information system, evidence generation, piloting and procurement of equipment for community health workers (CHWs). GFF and WB provide financial support for the implementation of the strategy in specific areas as part of the PHC strengthening program. GF offers financial support for comprehensive implementation of the strategy covering governance, CHW training and education, evidence generation, quality assurance, supervision systems and overall system functionality at both the national and provincial levels. UNFPA supports the training and supervision of CHWs on reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent (RMNCAH) health services.
This initiative puts a particular focus on the broader context of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), emphasizing the delivery of an essential package of integrated PHC services, community leadership and coordination, as well as the provision of higher quality care through well-trained, consistently remunerated and adequately supported CHWs. WHO is providing technical assistance to the MoH to develop a legal framework enabling the formal recognition of CHWs and providing them the opportunity to receive some form of remuneration. The CHS also complements the National Strategic Health Plan and the Provincial Strategic Health Plans of Tete and Niassa.
![\"A](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/gap/tedros-visit-to-boane-district-mozambique-community-engagement.jpg?sfvrsn=4f770644_4\")
A visit by Director General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, during community engagement in Boane\r\n District, Mozambique, July 2023.
Credit: Jaime Machel
One of the objectives of the pilot was to test the competency-based training curricula for the CHWs. Consequently, the government adjusted its training strategies. Furthermore, it actively solicits feedback from partners at the community level to enhance the performance of CHWs.
The MoH is guiding and scaling up the implementation of the CHS. GFF, GF, WB, UNICEF and WHO, play a pivotal role by financing the expansion plan and the implementation process that aims to gradually cover all 11 provinces.
Furthermore, collaboration with parliamentarians played a crucial role in advocating for increased resources for primary and community health services, encompassing investments in health determinants and advancing UHC. During CHS implementation, WHO delivered introductory training sessions to provincial parliamentarians in Niassa, Tete and Maputo on SDG targets, UHC, and enhanced their ability to analyze health budgets and expenditures. On average, these sessions were attended by 40 to 60 parliamentarians from two key commissions: the Commission for Health and Social Affairs and the Commission for Finance and Budget. The training significantly bolstered the parliamentarians' capacity to oversee and comprehend the challenges within the health sector at the subnational level. It also emphasized the importance of integrating health considerations into all policies at the provincial level.
Summary of contributions by specific SDG3 GAP partners to the Community Health Strategy in\r\n Mozambique
| SDG3 GAP Partner | Contribution to the CHS in Mozambique |
| GF | Provides financial support for the implementation of the CHS through a disbursement-linked, indicator-based financing mechanism. |
| GFF | Provides financial support for the implementation of the CHS through a disbursement-linked, indicators-based financing mechanism. |
| UNFPA | Supports the training and supervision of CHWs on RMNCAH services. |
| UNICEF | Collaborated with the MoH to develop a comprehensive CHS and design its pilot implementation. Offers technical support for the information system, evidence generation, piloting and procurement of CHW’s equipment. |
| WB | Provides financial support for the implementation of the CHS through a disbursement-linked, indicator-based financing mechanism. |
| WHO | Collaborated with the MoH to develop a comprehensive CHS and design its pilot implementation. Supported the development of the National Health Policy, the National Strategic Health Plan and the Provincial Strategic Health Plans of Tete and Niassa. Provides technical support for the strategic process, piloting and development of legal documents. |
Various challenges persist in the implementation of the CHS, stemming from a range of factors, such as extreme weather events, including cyclones, floods and droughts, which lead to the internal displacement of people and the disruption of health services. The PHC network must be bolstered, by ensuring there are enough skilled staff, essential medicines and supplies available – especially for vulnerable groups like children, pregnant women, the elderly and adolescent persons. Strengthening this network would increase equitable coverage and access to essential health programs such as routine immunizations and maternal and childcare.
The Mozambique Government's responses to the Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Wellbeing for All (SDG3 GAP) monitoring survey highlighted a need for better coordination among development partners, in terms of aligning more closely with national priorities. The contributions by SDG3 GAP partners to the CHS in Mozambique is a clear demonstration of SDG3 GAP partners’ commitment to improved collaboration among themselves, behind national strategies and plans, for better health outcomes. The CHS has been a crucial document guiding partner support to the Government.
Partners’ collaborative efforts to mobilize specific funds for nationally led health interventions and joint actions are fundamental to sustaining progress and addressing emerging challenges in the health sector. For example, other joint initiatives to strengthen PHC include the development of a Country Acceleration Plan for Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality, which integrates the Every Newborn Action Plan, and incorporates the Emergency Obstetric Care Network prioritization. These initiatives are facing significant funding shortfalls, despite presenting a unique opportunity to enhance the PHC component of the health system, and thereby ensure it functions optimally and addresses the health needs at the community level.
The potential for CHS to drive reform in the health sector is an exciting prospect as it would improve access to health services for the most out-of-reach and facilitate Mozambique’s accelerated progress towards the health-related SDGs.
The Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Wellbeing for All (SDG3 GAP) is a set of commitments by 13 agencies that play significant roles in health, development and humanitarian responses to help countries accelerate progress on the health-related SDG targets. The added value of the SDG3 GAP lies in strengthening collaboration across the agencies to take joint action and provide more coordinated support aligned to country owned and led national plans and strategies.
(1) Demographic and Health Survey of Mozambique, 2022-2023
(2) World Bank, Mozambique. World Bank Gender Data Portal.
2023 Progress report on the Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All
","Provider":"OpenAccessProvider","ThumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/gap/religious-sermon-maternal-newborn-child-health-mosque-mozambique.tmb-768v.jpg?sfvrsn=7c22f1b1_3","FormatedDate":"13 August 2024","TrimmedTitle":"Strengthening Primary Health Care with a Community Health Strategy in Mozambique"},{"Id":"01507640-74b1-4313-8b55-30d3ec46af45","LastModified":"2020-10-13T11:24:24Z","PublicationDate":"2018-06-02T02:47:39Z","DateCreated":"2018-06-02T02:47:39Z","IncludeInSitemap":true,"SystemSourceKey":null,"UrlName":"south-africa-eliminates-trans-fats","ItemDefaultUrl":"/south-africa-eliminates-trans-fats","FactSheetNumberOfAdditionalItems":0,"Subtitle":"","FeatureStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":0,"CommentaryNumberOfAdditionalItems":1,"PublicationDateAndTime":"2018-05-14T12:00:00Z","PhotoStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":1,"DocumentNumberOfAdditionalItems":0,"OpenGraphTitle":"","EventNumberOfAdditionalItems":1,"SourceKey":null,"Content":"Lucky Nkosi, a young mother from Johannesburg in South Africa, is only 24 years old but already weighs 120kg (265lb). Although she has been trying desperately to lose weight since her doctor warned her that her life is in danger, it remains a challenge.
\n\"I can’t leave junk food because it’s the cheapest,\" said Nkosi, who eats fried and processed food every day.
\nSouth Africans are sub-Saharan Africa’s most obese people, mainly due to the rising popularity of processed food. Heart attacks, strokes and type two diabetes now kill more people than infectious diseases.
\nBut Nkosi’s health situation could have been worse had the South African government not acted to limit trans fats in processed foods back in 2011.
\n\"Trans fats are of particular concern because high intake is correlated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases,\" says Dr. Francesco Branca, Director of the WHO Department of Nutrition for Health and Development. \"Trans fats are completely replaceable in foods, and mandatory national limits on industrially-produced trans fats are the most effective way to achieve elimination.\"
\nThe trans fat content of any oils and fats cannot exceed two grams per 100 grams, according to South African legislation. Products with higher trans fats levels are prohibited from entering or being sold in the country.
\nRebone Ntsie, Director of Nutrition at South Africa’s Department of Health (NDoH), says the legislation covers any oils and fats \"either alone or as processed foods, which are intended for human consumption or assumed to be intended for human consumption, in the retail trade, catering businesses, restaurants, institutions, bakeries etcetera.\"
\nThe regulations also require any product labelled as ‘trans fat-free’ to contain less than one gram of trans fats per 100 grams.
\n\"We were not only the first African country, but also the first developing country worldwide to enact the trans fats legislation,\" said Ntsie.
\nSouth Africa’s trans fat control push started in 2008 when Dr. Ruth Rabinowitz, an opposition Member of Parliament, proposed that industrially produced trans fats in prepared foodstuffs be outlawed.
\nInitially, the NDoH considered including trans fat as part of regulations dealing also with food labelling and advertising. But, according to Ntsie, \"due to the important role that reduced trans fats play in the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), NDoH decided that trans fats regulations should stand alone.\"
\nDaniel Matlala, Deputy Director for Food Control at NDoH, said that South Africa drew lessons from Denmark, which had enacted similar legislation.
\nIn 2009, the NDoH held extensive consultations with industry, academia and civil society, as well as a stakeholder workshop to develop a working document. This led to draft regulations, which were published for public comment in March 2010.
\n\"Support for the legislation was overwhelming,\" said Matlala.
\nThe final Regulations Relating to Trans Fats in Foodstuffs – Regulation 249 – were signed into law in February 2011. Manufacturers and retailers were given six months to comply and reduce the trans fat content of their products to the required 2 grams per 100. The NDoH has been monitoring the labels of food products and it is satisfied that industry has complied.
\n\"South Africa’s success with reducing trans fat is very important,\" said Dr. Branca of the WHO. \"Restrictions on industrially-produced trans fat are often weaker in low- and middle-income countries. South Africa’s experience can help guide other countries to take action so the benefits are felt equally around the world.\"
\nFood science expert Nigel Sunley said that legislation was easy to introduce because the target was not big food companies but “the manufacturers of industrial fats, which is a consolidated industry with few players.\"
\n\"There was a technological evolution in the food industry and the fat manufacturing companies managed to develop techniques of blending unsaturated and saturated fat to achieve the same functional properties previously generated [by trans fats],\" he said. \"The quantity of trans fats still being consumed in the country is likely very low, because next to nobody is manufacturing those fats any longer.\"
","MultimediaNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Title":"South Africa eliminates trans fats","NewsNumberOfAdditionalItems":3,"Summary":"South Africans are sub-Saharan Africa\u2019s most obese people, mainly due to the rising popularity of processed food. Heart attacks, strokes and type two diabetes now kill more people than infectious diseases.","MetaTitle":"","OtherRelated":"","OpenGraphDescription":"South Africans are sub-Saharan Africa\u2019s most obese people, mainly due to the rising popularity of processed food. Heart attacks, strokes and type two diabetes now kill more people than infectious diseases.","MetaDescription":"South Africans are sub-Saharan Africa\u2019s most obese people, mainly due to the rising popularity of processed food. Heart attacks, strokes and type two diabetes now kill more people than infectious diseases.","FactFileNumberOfAdditionalItems":1,"Highlight":"","Provider":"OpenAccessProvider","ThumbnailUrl":"/images/default-source/publications/replace/chips-cookies.tmb-768v.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=139077b4_4","FormatedDate":"14 May 2018","TrimmedTitle":"South Africa eliminates trans fats"},{"Id":"586dbc8c-5a07-41b2-aa60-c54c81a5b8cf","LastModified":"2020-10-13T12:06:53Z","PublicationDate":"2020-05-04T15:47:18Z","DateCreated":"2020-05-04T15:47:18Z","IncludeInSitemap":true,"SystemSourceKey":null,"UrlName":"nurses-and-midwives-are-critical-to-teaching-hand-hygiene-in-pakistan","ItemDefaultUrl":"/nurses-and-midwives-are-critical-to-teaching-hand-hygiene-in-pakistan","FactSheetNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Subtitle":"Clean hands save lives","FeatureStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"CommentaryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"PublicationDateAndTime":"2020-05-04T13:00:00Z","PhotoStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"DocumentNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"OpenGraphTitle":"Nurses and midwives are critical to teaching hand hygiene in Pakistan","EventNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"SourceKey":null,"Content":"Sania, a midwife in a governmental hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan vividly remembers the first time she met her patient Razia, a 25-year-old women expecting her second child.
“Razia was terrified and instantly broke into tears as soon as she entered the examination room for her first antenatal visit,” Sania remembers. “I was taken back, as often my patients are filled with anticipation when checking in on their baby’s growth.”
Sania tried to ease Razia’s fears, and then asked her why she was crying. Through tears, she recounted the story of her first born.
Belonging to a poor family, Razia lives in a joint family system where all decisions are made by the elders, including where women give birth. Her first childbirth took place at home with the assistance of a local dai or an untrained traditional birth attendant.
She endured many complications: a vaginal tear and bleeding followed by a fever that lasted for days. Her newborn daughter’s umbilical cord got infected, and later she had bouts of diarrhea and struggled to gain weight.
This time, Razia discussed the birth with her husband and knew she wanted to go to a hospital, but she still had fears. The COVID-19 pandemic was now her biggest worry, and she struggled with whether it was safer to give birth in the hospital or at home.
Sania gave her the confidence she needed. She sat beside Razia and explained to her how the COVID-19 virus spreads. She told her that if proper precautions are taken, such as thoroughly cleaning hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub, COVID-19 can be prevented. She even took a further step and showed Razia how to properly wash her hands.
Razia’s nerves calmed, and she decided to register for delivery in the hospital. She’s now taking the COVID-19 precautions Sania taught her and practising hand hygiene and social distancing at home.
![\"\"](\"https://www.who.int/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/handhygiene-2020-04-27-12-49-33-.png?sfvrsn=b4651471_3\")
The hospital where Sania works is one of more than 80 hospitals in Pakistan that are implementing the “Patient Safety Friendly Hospital Initiative” (PSFHI), a WHO-led programme that involves implementation of a harmonized set of evidence-based patient safety standards to which hospitals should adhere to ensure safer care. It offers a platform for integrating patient safety priorities where infection prevention and control (IPC), including hand hygiene and standard precautions, are critical components. Now with the COVID-19 crisis, IPC is ever more important.
In the midst of the pandemic, Pakistan developed and launched National Guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control and inaugurated a new Center for Occupational and Patient Safety (COPS) at the National Institute of Health (NIH). The centre provides strategic direction for health professionals to embrace, create and implement transformational changes in the neglected domain of occupational safety.
“There could not have been a better time to discuss infection prevention and control in Pakistan,” said Dr. Zafar Mirza, the prime minister’s special assistant on health on the eve of inauguration. “The role of health workers, particularly nurses and midwives, in dealing with COVID-19 is greatly appreciated.”
It turns out teaching patients about health education, like Sania teaching Razia to practice hand hygiene, is not unusual. Many hospitals across the country are now conducting regular education both for patients, as well as health workers about hand hygiene.
Nurses are critical to ensuring quality care. They engage and empower patients to speak up on their own behalf, and also enforce hand hygiene measures with colleagues from all levels of the hospital hierarchy.
“Nurses are the key watchdogs of patients, so it’s absolutely critical that all of them prioritize patient safety and take responsibility for hand hygiene compliance,” said Dr Palitha Gunarathna Mahipala, WHO Representative Pakistan. “All hospitals worldwide must empower their health professionals to ensure safe care.”
","MultimediaNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Title":"Nurses and midwives are critical to teaching hand hygiene in Pakistan","NewsNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Summary":"","MetaTitle":"Nurses and midwives are critical to teaching hand hygiene in Pakistan","OtherRelated":"","OpenGraphDescription":"","MetaDescription":"","FactFileNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Highlight":"
","Provider":"OpenAccessProvider","ThumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/handhygiene-2020-04.tmb-768v.jpg?sfvrsn=5e5a1dd0_4","FormatedDate":"4 May 2020","TrimmedTitle":"Nurses and midwives are critical to teaching hand hygiene in Pakistan"},{"Id":"78594266-2d3b-468f-a896-d6452a45f37f","LastModified":"2025-04-23T03:26:47Z","PublicationDate":"2023-08-28T07:56:02Z","DateCreated":"2023-08-28T07:56:02Z","IncludeInSitemap":true,"SystemSourceKey":null,"UrlName":"breaking-barriers-building-bridges-collaborative-effort-nigeria","ItemDefaultUrl":"/breaking-barriers-building-bridges-collaborative-effort-nigeria","FactSheetNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"Subtitle":"","FeatureStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"CommentaryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"PublicationDateAndTime":"2024-08-13T13:00:00Z","PhotoStoryNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"DocumentNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"OpenGraphTitle":"Breaking barriers, building bridges: the collaborative effort to reach every child in Nigeria","EventNumberOfAdditionalItems":null,"SourceKey":null,"Content":"
![\"WHO](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/gap/vaccination-hard-to-reach-areas-nigeria.jpg?sfvrsn=98de2c_3\")
WHO supported vaccination teams going the distance to reach children in hard-to-reach areas with life-saving vaccines in an integrated immunization campaign in Niger State, Nigeria. Credits: WHO/Ogbeide E.
Immunization remains a mainstay in safeguarding children's health worldwide but achieving universal vaccination coverage has been a significant global challenge. In lower and middle-income countries, more than 12.4 million children received no vaccines in 2020. These vulnerable children, known as “zero-dose children”, account for a substantial portion of preventable deaths in children. Nigeria faces a particularly alarming situation among these countries, with over 2.2 million estimated zero-dose children in 20211. To address this pressing issue, the signatory agencies of the Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All (SDG3 GAP) are collaborating with the Nigerian government to reach every child with immunization services. Through their joint efforts, SDG3 GAP partners embrace a collaborative approach as the most effective path toward achieving this critical goal.
![\"WHO](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/gap/mobile-team-nomadic-settings.jpg?sfvrsn=818718b2_3\")
WHO mobile health teams reaching eligible children in the Nomadic settings in Borno State Nigeria. Credits: WHO/Eromosele
Reaching zero-dose children requires locating and engaging the communities they belong to. Since such communities often include remote rural, urban poor, or conflict affected areas facing various forms of deprivation, cross sectoral collaboration is needed to identify and reach them. Starting in 2020, SDG3 GAP partners and the Nigerian government collaborated to create a data system to identify zero-dose communities. Led by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and supported by UNICEF and WHO, this effort combined data from various sources, such as immunization records, health facilities, surveys, and local community data at the sub-national level.
Joint workshops and meetings with stakeholders were organized, resulting in a detailed analysis pinpointing 100 local government areas (LGAs) in 18 states that account for 1.5 million of Nigeria's 2.2 million zero-dose children. This analysis informed the design of zero-dose priority actions within the National Strategy for Immunization and PHC System Strengthening (NSIPSS), providing a comprehensive framework for improving immunization coverage. It also provided the basis of collaborative efforts and plans between partners to reach these communities.
NPHCDA and partners including WHO and UNICEF developed an Immunization Recovery Plan 2022-2025 that incorporated a Big Catchup Plan specifically targeting zero-dose children. Through the GAVI-HSS project, GAVI collaborated directly with eight priority states, addressing low immunization coverage and a high burden of zero-dose children with a USD 50 million PHC and immunization grant. The World Bank partnered with 16 priority states through the Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) Project, focusing on strengthening vaccine supply, cold chain equipment, and monitoring systems to reduce under-five mortality rates. Additionally, funding channels and technical assistance from the Global Fund, WHO, and UNICEF supported 17 states in reaching identified zero-dose local government areas.
![\"An](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/gap/eligible-child.jpg?sfvrsn=72558403_5\")
An eligible child receiving a vaccine during an immunization campaign in Borno State, Nigeria Credits: WHO
In their pursuit to reach zero-dose children across Nigeria, SDG3 GAP partners are leveraging their previous investments in polio eradication and COVID-19 response to expand immunization coverage nationwide. These investments have not only established valuable infrastructure and skilled human resources but also fostered strong community networks with trusted relationships with local leaders. Leveraging these networks, partners are now facilitating the delivery of immunization services to zero-dose children across the entire country.
Supported by UNICEF, GAVI, and WHO, these networks are being transformed into formal Community Health Influencers, Promoters, and Services (CHIPS) as part of the Nigerian government's community engagement strategy. The CHIPS program, initiated in 2018, promotes local ownership and engagement, employing community-led case-finding strategies to identify and immunize zero-dose children within the national community engagement framework. Through joint efforts, SDG3 GAP partners, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) and other stakeholders have developed national implementation guidelines for the CHIPS strategy, ensuring effective local participation and progress in reaching every child with life-saving vaccines.
As of January 2023, integration of routine immunization in COVID-19 vaccination efforts have seen more than 4 million eligible children immunized since March 2021, out of which over 700,000 received Penta-3 vaccination. NPHCDA continues to engage with the 100 priority zero dose LGAs to design and implement customized and effective strategies to reach zero dose children in settings unique to each community/LGA.
\"We have seen improvements with partnering with other agencies. We changed our approach, went from national to state levels with targeted strategies to reach children in vulnerable areas and populations, allowing us to deliver our services more efficiently and effectively to those who need them most\" says Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Country Representative for Nigeria.
![\"The](\"https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/gap/oral-polio-vaccine.jpg?sfvrsn=64838b81_5\")
The lifesaving drop of the oral polio vaccine being administered to a child during an immuzation campaign in Maraba, Nassarawa State. Credits: WHO/Ogbeide E.
SDG3 GAP partners and the Government of Nigeria are committed to sustainable financing and strong primary healthcare as key accelerators of continued progress in reaching every child in Nigeria. The Government of Nigeria has shown strong political commitment and leadership in these areas, leading to active engagement, and coordinated approaches with SDG3 GAP signatories and other partners to drive important reforms. Recent reforms such as the National Health Insurance Authority Bill and the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund are being implemented nationwide to ensure financial protection and sustainable financing for primary healthcare services, including immunization. An accountability framework with state governments is also in place to secure incremental Government funding for immunization and primary healthcare, with the goal of achieving full state government funding by 2028. The presidential health reform committee has also prioritized PHC revitalization to address gaps in immunization coverage.
Under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator, coordination and alignment with country-led efforts have been enhanced within the UN system, as seen in the Nigeria - UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-2027, and with other partners through ongoing multi-partner health financing interventions. Through these collaborative approaches the Nigerian government, SDG3 GAP partners, and other stakeholders are establishing sustainable funding mechanisms to enhance primary healthcare and effectively close immunization gaps in the country.
To ensure that SDG3 GAP support continues to be aligned with country-led priorities and approaches, SDG3 GAP partners have established a monitoring framework through which National governments provide feedback regarding ongoing collaborative work, including strategies and opportunities for better collaboration. Feedback from Nigeria in 2022 highlighted improved collaboration, alignment with national plans and budget priorities, utilisation of national monitoring systems, and effective coordination mechanisms resulting from SDG3 GAP support. While significant progress has been made, the government feedback highlighted areas requiring further action, including carrying forward good practices such as the country compact between development partners, increased resource commitment, and the co-creation of partner implementation plans with local stakeholders, particularly at the sub-national level.
The Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Wellbeing for All (SDG3 GAP) is a set of commitments by 13 agencies that play significant roles in health, development, and humanitarian responses to help countries accelerate progress on the health-related SDG targets. The added value of the SDG3 GAP lies in strengthening collaboration across the agencies to take joint action and provide more coordinated support aligned to country owned and led national plans and strategies.
2023 progress report on the Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All
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