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...
WHO signs agreement with the Arab Board of Health Specializations to promote family practice in the Region
4 May 2021, Cairo – The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean and the Arab Board of Health Specializations will sign a collaborative agreement in a meeting on 5 May to promote family practice as a means to progress towards universal health coverage in the Region. The virtual meeting will be inaugurated by Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari WHO...
COVAX Facility allocating additional COVID-19 vaccines as countries push vaccination drives
28 April 2021, Cairo, Egypt – Following the successful delivery of the first shipments of COVID-19 vaccines to 15 countries in the Region, the COVAX Facility is coordinating additional shipments to 13 countries in the Region. Jordan has already received an additional 146 400 doses of COVID-19 vaccines, and more countries are expected to receive new...
Opening remarks by Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, for the World Immunization Week press briefing
27 April 2021 – Thank you for joining us today for this special press briefing to mark World Immunization Week. This year, the development and roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines sheds a new light on World Immunization Week. It shows us all in real time just how critical immunization is to control deadly diseases and save lives. Before we talk more about...
World Malaria Day: let's draw the line against malaria
25 April 2021, Cairo – On World Malaria Day (25 April) WHO is calling for increased political commitment and investment in malaria prevention and control to reach the zero malaria target, and is urging individuals in malaria-endemic countries to draw the line against malaria by getting tested for both malaria and COVID-19 in case of fever,...
World Immunization Week 2021
Vaccines bring us closer to a healthier world 22 April 2021 – The last week of April each year we celebrate the World Immunization Week. This year, the celebration amid the COVID-19 pandemic reminds us that vaccines can bring us closer to a healthier, more prosperous world, where no one suffers or dies from a vaccine-preventable disease. "Vaccines...
Syria receives its first delivery of COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX Facility
From UNICEF's Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Ted Chaiban, WHO's Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance's Director of Country Support Pascal Bijleveld AMMAN/CAIRO/GENEVA, 22 April 2021 – “Syria received 256 800 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, the first COVAX...
