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United Nations partners renew commitment to end preventable newborn deaths
Dr Peter Salama, Regional Director of UNICEF/Middle East and North Africa; Dr Ala Alwan, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Mr Daniel Baker, UNFPA/Arab States sign a joint statement on accelerating the reduction of neonatal mortalityAmman, 24 April 2016 – The World Health Organization (WHO), UNFPA (United Nations Population...
National polio immunization campaign concludes in Yemen
Sana'a, 21 April 2016 – Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health and Population, with support from WHO and UNICEF, has concluded a national house-to-house polio immunization campaign, targeting 5 019 948 children under the age of 5 across the country. During the campaign, more than 4.5 million children (90% of target) were successfully vaccinated by more...
People with diabetes can live healthy and productive lives if the condition is diagnosed early and managed effectively
WHO calls for action to prevent and manage diabetes 6 April 2016 – The overall risk of dying among people with diabetes is at least double that of their peers without diabetes. On World Health Day, 7 April, the World Health Organization is calling for a 2-pronged approach: interventions to prevent diabetes, and interventions to manage diabetes...
WHO condemns attack on Ma’arib Hospital, Yemen
6 April 2016 – WHO strongly condemns the attack on Ma’arib General Hospital in Ma’arib governorate, Yemen on 3 April, in which 4 people died, including one medical doctor, and 13 people were injured. The attack also caused damage to the intensive care unit and administration buildings of the hospital. Despite facing critical shortages in health...
New WHO policy aims to lower sugar intake to fight obesity and overweight in the Region
Cairo, 5 April 2016 – In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, more than 65% of adults and 20% of adolescents are currently overweight or obese. Evidence shows that the excessive consumption of sugar is not only a major contributor to the epidemic of obesity but is also leading to increased prevalence of diabetes and tooth decay in children and...
Health situation in Yemen critical as violent conflict enters second year
27 March 2016, Sana’a, Yemen – This week marks one year since the escalation of the conflict in Yemen, where the violence has had a devastating impact on millions of innocent civilians, causing immeasurable suffering. Since March 2015, more than 6200 people have been killed and 30 000 injured. More than 21 million people – 82% of the total...
A healthier environment could save thousands of lives a year in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
15 March 2016 | Cairo – In 2012, an estimated 854 000 people died as a result of living or working in an unhealthy environment in the Eastern Mediterranean Region – nearly one in 5 of total deaths in this Region, according to new estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO). Environmental risk factors, such as air, water and soil pollution,...
Humanitarian sign of hope 5 years into the Syrian conflict: WHO increases its response to reach more people
14 March 2016 – 5 years since the conflict began in Syria, millions of people across the country continue to suffer from limited access to basic medical care services because of ongoing conflict and a deteriorating health system. Over 11 million people are in need of health assistance that many hospitals and primary health clinics are unable to...
WHO Regional Director calls for urgent funding to support Syria health response
Statement by Dr Ala Alwan, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Cairo, 3 March, 2016 -- The health situation in Syria continues to deteriorate, not just day by day, but hour by hour. As always in conflict, it is innocent civilians that pay the highest price. Almost two thirds of all Syrians have no access to safe water, putting...
Countries urged to enhance preparedness and readiness measures for Zika virus infection in the Region
03 March 2016 – The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean invited representatives from ministries of health in the Region to 2 rounds of emergency meetings to share information on Zika virus infection and associated conditions and discuss implementation of public health measures to prepare for, and respond to,...
