WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region celebrates women on health front lines
Cairo, 19 August 2019 – On this year’s World Humanitarian Day, WHO’s Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean recognizes the contribution of women humanitarians working on the front line in emergencies. “Particularly in our Region, which is severely affected by emergencies, it is critical that women’s role and contribution in emergencies is...
WHO statement on successful conclusion of hajj 1440/2019
The World Health Organization (WHO) would like to congratulate the Government of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Health for successfully hosting the hajj season 1440/2019 without a single public health event or disease outbreak being reported among pilgrims performing the hajj. In addition, WHO expresses its deep appreciation to all the health...
Hajj health and safety boosted by new Health Early Warning System
Mina, Saudi Arabia, 10 August 2019 — Authorities in Saudi Arabia are deploying a new health surveillance system to help keep people protected from communicable diseases during the annual hajj pilgrimage. For the first time, the Global Centre for Mass Gatherings Medicines of the Saudi Ministry of Health is using the Health Early Warning System...
WHO Regional Director's statement on Pakistan
Dr Al-Mandhari visited different areas in Pakistan, including Larkana, where the current HIV outbreak has further aggravated already burdened health facilities in the impoverished area Cairo, Egypt, 1 August 2019 — I have just returned from my third, and most fruitful and memorable visit to Pakistan as WHO Regional Director for the Eastern...
WHO launches new report on the global tobacco epidemic
Despite progress, increased action needed to help people quit deadly tobacco products Cairo, Egypt, 28 July 2019 – Many governments are making progress in the fight against tobacco. Today, 5 billion people are living in countries that have introduced effective tobacco control measures such as smoking bans and graphic warnings on packaging – 4...
Statement on Iraq by Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean
Cairo, Egypt, 24 July 2019 – I recently concluded a 4-day visit to Iraq where I saw firsthand a health system transitioning from emergency response to reconstruction, rehabilitation and resilience, while at the same time addressing the health needs of millions of vulnerable Iraqis and refugees. The country’s new national health priorities,...
Statement by WHO Regional Director Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari on attacks on health care in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
30 June 2019, Cairo, Egypt – The time has come to speak out once more about attacks on health care in WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region. Since the beginning of 2019, our Region has witnessed an average of more than one attack every day: hundreds of health workers have been killed, injured or assaulted, hospitals have been damaged and destroyed,...
First meeting of the Regional Parliamentary Forum for Health and Well-being opens in Tunis, Tunisia
25 June 2019, Tunis, Tunisia ‒ Yesterday in Tunis, the first meeting of the Parliamentary Forum for Health and Well-being, taking place from 24 to 26 June 2019, opened in the Parliamentarian Academy affiliated to Tunisia’s Assembly of the Representatives of the People. It is the first ever WHO-supported meeting to be hosted in a Parliament. This first...
WHO welcomes Egypt’s support to 14 African countries in their fight against hepatitis C
Kampala, Uganda, 20 June 2019 – Egypt has announced that it would be providing hepatitis C testing and treatment for one million people in 14 African countries. Speaking at the opening of the African Hepatitis Summit 2019, currently underway in Kampala, Uganda, HE Dr Hala Zaid, the Egyptian Minister of Health and Population, stated that the...
World Blood Donor Day 2019: save lives by donating blood regularly
13 June 2019 – On the occasion of World Blood Donor Day 2019, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari emphasized that everyone in the world had the right to access safe blood transfusion, when and where it was needed. Access to safe blood and blood products is essential for universal health coverage (UHC) and a key...
