Nationwide immunization campaign protects 5 million children against polio in war-torn Yemen
WHO UNICEF and the World Bank are working closely with health authorities to keep Yemen polio-free and curb the spread of measlesSupport from the World Bank, WHO and UNICEF critical to reach every vulnerable child SANA’A, 8 April 2017 — In an effort to keep Yemen polio-free, nearly 5 million children under the age of 5 have been vaccinated in a...
Fight stigma. Speak out about depression
6 April 2017 – On World Health Day, 7 April, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on individuals and communities to speak out about depression and to fight the stigma surrounding it. The slogan for this year’s Day is “Depression: let’s talk”. Talking about depression helps break down stigma and encourages more people to seek help. To...
WHO Regional Director met with H.E. President of Pakistan during his official visit to the country
WHO Regional Director Dr Mahmoud Fikri (centre) meets with H.E. the President of Pakistan Mamnoon HussainIslamabad, 2 April 2017 – Dr Mahmoud Fikri, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, visited Islamabad, Pakistan, from 30 to 31 March. During his first official visit to the country, Dr Fikri met with several high-ranking...
WHO calls for increased support for health aid in Syria and refugee-hosting neighbouring countries
3 April 2017 – As the world’s leaders gather in Brussels on 4–5 April, the humanitarian catastrophe in Syria continues to unfold. More than 6 years into the conflict, the violence is unrelenting. As always, it is civilians who pay the highest price: almost 300 000 people have been killed and 1.5 million people injured, including thousands of...
Regional Director thanks United Arab Emirates for support of Polio Eradication Initiative in Pakistan
WHO delegation led by Dr M Fikri, WHO Regional Director, were received by H.E. Abdulaziz Alneyadi, First Secretary, United Arab Emirates embassy in Pakistan, and H.E. Abdulla Khalifa Al Ghufli, Director of United Arab Emirates Project to Assist PakistanIslamabad, 30 March 2017 – During his 2-day visit to Pakistan on 30–31 March 2017, Dr Mahmoud...
Within hours of opening its doors, Athbah trauma field hospital treats casualties from west Mosul
Health workers in Athba Field Hospital attend to trauma patients from west Mosul Photo credit/ASPENMosul, Iraq 29 March 2017: With medical capacities to treat severely wounded people significantly reduced due to conflict and coupled with the increased trend of traumatic injuries among civilians, the World Health Organization, the Federal...
World TB Day: Unite to End TB and alleviate the suffering of millions
22 March 2017, Cairo – The World Health Organization (WHO) calls for united efforts to put an end to tuberculosis (TB) that is still affecting millions of people around the world. On the occasion of World TB Day, celebrated on 24 March, WHO renews the call to “Unite to End TB” through actions to address stigma, discrimination and marginalization and...
Statement by Dr Mahmoud Fikri on the occasion of International Women's Day, WHO Regional Director
8 March 2017 – Today the global community celebrates a very distinguished occasion, International Women’s Day, under the inspirational slogan be bold for change. Many achievements have been made for and by women in recent decades. We have witnessed a substantial reduction in maternal mortality ratio in our region through improved access to...
WHO responds to reported use of chemical weapons agents in East Mosul, Iraq
3 March 2017 – Following the reported use of chemical weapons agents in East Mosul, Iraq, WHO, partners and local health authorities have activated an emergency response plan to safely treat men, women and children who may be exposed to the highly toxic chemical. Since 1 March, 12 patients including women and children with respiratory symptoms...
WHO airlifts cholera and tuberculosis medical supplies to Yemen
23 January 2017, Sana’a – Today a cargo plane carrying 8 metric tonnes of cholera kits and tuberculosis medicines landed in Yemeni capital, Sana’a. The cholera kits include anti-diarrhoeal treatment for 12 000 people, as well as cholera laboratory equipment and rapid diagnostics tests. Part of the airlift coming from Djibouti are also...
