In the occupied Palestinian territory, where a 16-year blockade has left the Gaza Strip’s health system severely under-resourced, escalating hostilities with Israel that began on 7 October 2023 are compounding an already dire situation. Power outages and shortages of medicines and health supplies in Gaza Strip hospitals are hindering the delivery of...

11 October 2023 – Mass gatherings, while a source of joy and unity, can also put a strain on health systems and resources. When tens of thousands of people gather for an event, it can create an ideal environment for the spread of diseases – and even disease outbreaks. The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean is launching a...

10 October 2023 – In December 2021, at its second-ever special session, the World Health Assembly took a significant step by establishing an Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) tasked with drafting and negotiating a convention, agreement or other international instrument under the constitution of the World Health Organization (WHO). This...

10 October 2023, Cairo, Egypt – Dr Hanan Balkhy has today been nominated as the next WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean. Member States voted to nominate Dr Balkhy during a closed meeting at the 70th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean. The nomination will be submitted to the WHO Executive Board...

11 October 2023 – The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted once again the importance of health workers in maintaining the health of populations and providing essential health services. It has also resulted in greater recognition of the critical role of the health workforce in delivering essential public health functions and responding to health...

10 October 2023 ‒ The urgency of ending polio was impressed upon Member States at the ninth meeting of the Regional Subcommittee for Polio Eradication and Outbreaks in the Eastern Mediterranean, held during the 70th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean . Endemic wild poliovirus is present only in the Eastern...

10 October 2023, Tripoli, Libya – Following the devastation wrought by Storm Daniel, hundreds of thousands of people in eastern Libya are mourning the loss of loved ones, homes, possessions and livelihoods. Tens of thousands more are desperately hoping for news of the nearly 9000 people who remain missing. WHO estimates that at least 1 in 5...

10 October 2023, Cairo, Egypt – Today, we mark World Mental Health Day 2023, the theme of which is “Mental health is a universal human right”. This year’s campaign calls on governments, politicians, health authorities, civil society and communities to place mental health at the top of health, development and humanitarian agendas. World Mental...

10 October 2023, Cairo, Egypt ‒ A report on WHO’s work in the Eastern Mediterranean Region over the past 5 years was presented on the second day of RC70. It documents the tremendous, tireless work carried out by our countries and territories and concerned stakeholders, in collaboration with the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, to...

10 October 2023 ‒ In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the international community has taken decisive steps to strengthen global health security. Among these efforts, the Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 stands as a pillar of collaboration and reform. IHR amendments: a vital initiative Member States...