Good morning, good afternoon and good night,
Over the previous two weeks, well being leaders from around the globe gathered in Geneva for the annual World Well being Meeting.
There have been many vital resolutions and choices taken on the huge array of points on which WHO works.
This consists of behavioural sciences; greatest buys for noncommunicable ailments; diagnostics; disabilities; drowning prevention; emergency, vital and operative care; meals micronutrients; indigenous well being; an infection prevention and management; maternal and little one well being; medical oxygen; main well being care; refugee and migrant well being; rehabilitation; conventional medication, WHO’s work on emergencies; and rather more.
The approval of the finances for 2024-25, together with the 20% improve in assessed contributions, and assist for an funding spherical, are landmark agreements in our shared efforts in direction of a stronger, more practical and empowered WHO.
And the yr forward presents a number of alternatives to make additional progress.
Particularly, the high-level conferences in September on common well being protection, tuberculosis and pandemic preparedness and response on the UN Common Meeting are main alternatives to catalyze political dedication.
Likewise, the persevering with negotiations on the pandemic accord and amendments to the Worldwide Well being Rules are an unprecedented alternative for us all to study from the successes and failures of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are a number of key factors value repeating to keep away from misconceptions.
First, this accord is a generational alternative that we should seize. We’re the technology that lived by way of the COVID-19 pandemic, so we have to be the technology that learns the teachings it taught us, and makes the modifications to maintain future generations safer.
Second, the 2 processes are negotiated by Member States for Member States, and can – if enacted – be applied in Member States in accordance with their very own legal guidelines.
Third, all Member States will retain their very own sovereignty to set their very own home well being insurance policies.
The concept that this accord or the amended Worldwide Well being Rules will cede sovereignty to WHO is solely bogus. WHO is not going to achieve any energy to override home coverage choices. Nor would we wish to.
I do know the journalists listening to this briefing are largely well being and science journalists who’ve a deeper understanding of well being and perceive how an accord may help bolster our collective pandemic defences.
So, I ask you to maintain following the info about these two processes, to dispel myths and to tell your colleagues on the information and editorial desks so there’s correct reporting.
These processes signify a critical dedication from all 194 WHO Member States in direction of their populations, and we can’t let mis- and disinformation jeopardize them.
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Subsequent to some excellent news on the outbreaks of Marburg virus illness in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania.
At this time, Tanzania declared its outbreak over, 42 days after the final affected person examined unfavorable for the second time.
The outbreak in Equatorial Guinea can also be anticipated to be declared over subsequent week, if no additional circumstances are detected.
WHO will proceed to assist each nations to strengthen their outbreak prevention and preparedness actions.
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Now to the higher Horn of Africa, which faces a deepening starvation and well being disaster.
The area contains 7 nations – Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda – and is already within the midst of the worst drought on document.
Within the first half of this yr, heavy downpours on the baked earth have triggered flash floods in components of Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia and displaced 1000’s of individuals.
Floods improve the chance of water and mosquito-borne ailments in a area already impacted by malaria, cholera and different infectious ailments.
53 million individuals – 1 in 6 – are dealing with disaster ranges of starvation.
WHO and our companions are on the bottom, making certain entry to primary well being providers; offering therapy to severely malnourished kids; and serving to nations detect, stop and reply to illness outbreaks.
However an absence of assets is hindering our response. Below our Well being Emergency Enchantment for 2023, WHO is asking for 178 million U.S. {dollars} to allow us to ship urgently wanted, life-saving medical support. We face vital funding gaps, and we urge donors to be beneficiant.
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In Sudan the scenario has been compounded by violence.
Combating, which began on the fifteenth of April, is continuous for a seventh week.
Individuals are dying as a result of they’ll’t entry hospitals and obtain the care they should deal with accidents or the medicines they should deal with continual ailments, equivalent to diabetes or hypertension.
Girls can’t safely ship their infants and youngsters are dying of malnutrition and dehydration.
With the upcoming wet season, there’s an elevated danger of outbreaks of waterborne and mosquito-borne ailments.
Because the starting of the battle over 1.6 million individuals have been displaced, each internally and to neighbouring nations.
WHO is working carefully with well being authorities in neighbouring nations to offer care to refugees.
Well being employees, provides and amenities proceed to be focused.
Because the preventing began, WHO has verified 46 assaults on well being care main to eight deaths and 18 accidents. 16 of those assaults passed off after the signing of the Jeddah declaration to guard civilians on the eleventh of Might.
That is unacceptable.
Together with different humanitarian businesses, WHO has labored to speed up the distribution of lifesaving medical provides.
We have now despatched a complete of 170 metric tons of medical provides, together with for trauma and accidents, continual and infectious ailments by air, land and sea.
Nonetheless, restricted entry and insecurity proceed to hamper our efforts to get these provides to the place they can be utilized to save lots of lives.
We urge all events in Sudan to renew ceasefire negotiations, cease the preventing, withdraw from well being amenities, shield well being employees and assist the supply of lifesaving provides.
Lastly, the 4th Well being for All Movie Competition could have its award ceremony on Tuesday, the sixth of June.
The Well being for All Movie Competition brings a human face to WHO’s scientific work. Listening to the voices of individuals affected by well being points is a robust approach to elevate consciousness and enhance our understanding of individuals’s experiences.
I congratulate upfront the winners and my due to the distinguished members of the jury.
The awards ceremony will probably be webcast on the WHO web site and we invite everybody to affix.
Margaret, again to you.
