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Statement on protection of health care in complex humanitarian emergencies
1 June 2021 – This year marks the ninth anniversary of World Health Assembly resolution 65.20 (2012) in relation to the protection of health care in complex humanitarian emergencies. With deep regret, we note that violence against health care personnel and attacks on health care continues to be reported, including incidents linked to the response...
More than 10 million cases of COVID-19 reported in WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region
Cairo, 31 May 2021 – More than 10.1 million COVID-19 cases and 202 121 deaths have been reported from 22 countries across WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region since the first documented case on 29 January 2020. “This is a troubling milestone for everyone in our Region. Despite all our efforts over the past 16 months, we have not yet controlled the...
Omani doctor on a mission to combat antimicrobial resistance
Imagine surviving a severe illness like cancer only to die from an infection caused by germs resistant to antimicrobial drugs. 28 May 2021 – The helplessness of being called to the scene too late for patients who were previously on their way to recovery from illness or surgery, drove Dr Amal Saif Al-Maani and her colleagues to lead the race...
Many countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region lagging behind in vaccination efforts
Cairo, 26 May 2021 – Almost 6 months into 2021, the Eastern Mediterranean Region is still far from vaccinating 20% of each country’s population, the initial goal that WHO had set for 2021. Only 2 out of 22 countries in the Region have administered at least 1 dose of vaccine to over 50% of their populations. Most of the other countries have...
WHO Regional Director's statement for virtual press briefing, 20 May
20 May 2021 – A warm welcome from WHO’s Regional Office in Cairo and thank you for joining us today. Over the past 10 days, the escalation of violence in the occupied Palestinian territory has resulted in a substantial number of fatalities and casualties, as well as significant damage to many health facilities. WHO is extremely concerned about...
Egypt receives second shipment of 1.77 million COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX Facility
An additional 1.77 million doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine have arrived in Cairo, Egypt The Ministry of Health and Population leads on scaling up vaccination campaigns across the country as Egypt faces third wave of COVID-19 CAIRO, 14 May 2021 – Egypt yesterday received 1 768 800 COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine doses delivered via the COVAX...
WHO Regional Director’s statement on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr
12 May 2021 – As we come to the end of the holy month of Ramadan, I would like to wish everyone in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and beyond a blessed and happy Eid al-Fitr. During this holiday, we not only celebrate the end of dawn-to-sunset fasting during Ramadan, but we also pay respect to Allah for giving us the strength to practise self...
Strengthening ambulance services as part of the public health emergency response in Syria
10 May 2021, Damascus – In responding to the humanitarian needs of affected populations and to enhance the quality of health care in Syria, the World Health Organization delivered 40 equipped ambulances to the Ministry of Health yesterday. Since the onset of the crisis, two thirds of the ambulances in Syria have been destroyed, which has impeded...
Pakistan receives first consignment of COVID-19 vaccines via COVAX Facility
More than one million doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine delivered by COVAX Facility to support Government’s efforts to vaccinate high-risk people across Pakistan Islamabad, 8 May 2021 – Today Pakistan received its first shipment of Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines (SII-AZ AZD1222) from the COVAX Facility. The consignment of 1 238...
World Hand Hygiene Day: ‘Seconds save lives – clean your hands’
5 May 2021 – Today, the World Health Organization and people around the world celebrate World Hand Hygiene Day. The ‘Save Lives - Clean your Hands’ global campaign observed annually on 5 May aims to maintain global visibility of the importance of hand hygiene in health care facilities and in communities. The campaign aims to promote sustained...
