World Health Organization (WHO) / Press Release

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) | Sep 23, 2020

COVID-19 pandemic: countries urged to take stronger action to stop spread of harmful information

WHO and partners urged countries to engage and listen to their communities as they develop their national action plans

The World Health Organization (WHO) together with the UN, specialised agencies and partners today called on countries to develop and implement action plans to promote the timely dissemination of science-based information and prevent the spread of false information while respecting freedom of expression. WHO, the UN, UNICEF, UNAIDS, the UN…

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) | Sep 22, 2020

Tobacco responsible for 20% of deaths from coronary heart disease

Just a few cigarettes a day, occasional smoking, or exposure to second-hand smoke increase the risk of heart disease

Every year, 1.9 million people die from tobacco-induced heart disease, according to a new brief released today by the World Health Organization, World Heart Federation and the University of Newcastle Australia ahead of World Heart Day, marked on 29 September. This equates to one in five of all deaths from…

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) | Sep 22, 2020

Coronavirus: Boost for global response to COVID-19 as economies worldwide formally sign up to COVAX facility

156 economies, representing roughly 64% of the global population in total, are now either committed to or eligible for the COVAX Facility

64 higher income economies have now joined the COVAX Facility, with a further 38 economies expected to sign in the coming days; these self-financing economies, which include 29 from ‘Team Europe’ participating as part of an agreement with the European Commission, join 92 lower income economies eligible for financial support…

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) | Sep 17, 2020

Coronavirus: Keep health workers safe to keep patients safe - WHO

The pandemic has also highlighted the extent to which protecting health workers is key to ensuring a functioning health system and a functioning society

The World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on governments and healthcare leaders to address persistent threats to the health and safety of health workers and patients. “The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded all of us of the vital role health workers play to relieve suffering and safe lives,“ said Dr Tedros…

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) | Sep 16, 2020

Coronavirus: Somalia marks 6 months of COVID-19

Close collaboration among United Nations agencies, and with health authorities, has helped mount a strong response to the outbreak

Somalia is no stranger to emergencies. For decades, Somalis have passed down to younger generations their rich, vibrant culture, along with mechanisms to cope with all kinds of challenges they have faced over the years. Their resilience and Somalia’s health system have been tested yet again in the last 6…

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) | Sep 10, 2020

Coronavirus Global Response: Access to COVID-19 Tools-Accelerator Facilitation Council holds inaugural meeting

The ACT-Accelerator is the proven, up-and-running, global collaboration accelerating the development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines

United Nations Secretary General António Guterres appeals for a quantum leap in funding for the ACT-Accelerator, a global solution to get the world moving, working and prospering again - H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, and H.E. Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of Norway, co-chair the ACT-Acceleration Facilitation Council - …

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) | Sep 09, 2020

WHO calls for global action on sepsis - cause of 1 in 5 deaths worldwide

Patients who are critically ill with severe COVID-19 and other infectious diseases are at higher risk of developing and dying from sepsis

The World Health Organization’s first global report on sepsis finds that the effort to tackle millions of deaths and disabilities due to sepsis is hampered by serious gaps in knowledge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. According to recent studies, sepsis kills 11 million people each year, many of them children. It…

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) | Sep 09, 2020

Coronavirus - Africa: COVID-19 could reverse decades of progress toward eliminating preventable child deaths, agencies warn

In May, initial modelling by Johns Hopkins University showed that almost 6,000 additional children could die per day due to disruptions due to COVID-19

With the number of under-five deaths at an all-time recorded low of 5.2 million in 2019, disruptions in child and maternal health services due to the COVID-19 pandemic are putting millions of additional lives at stake. The number of global under-five deaths dropped to its lowest point on record in…

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) | Sep 02, 2020

Coronavirus: WHO Guidance on the use of corticosteroids in patients with COVID-19

Corticosteroids are listed in the WHO model list of essential medicines, readily available globally at a low cost

WHO has published guidance for clinicians and health care decision-makers on the use of corticosteroids in patients with COVID-19. We recommend systemic corticosteroids for the treatment of patients with severe and critical COVID-19. We suggest not to use corticosteroids in the treatment of patients with non-severe COVID-19 as the treatment. Corticosteroids…

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) | Aug 31, 2020

In WHO global pulse survey, 90% of countries report disruptions to essential health services since COVID-19 pandemic

The pulse survey also provides an indication of countries’ experiences in adapting strategies to mitigate the impact on service provision

WHO to roll out learning and monitoring tools to improve service provision during pandemic The World Health Organization (WHO) today published a first indicative survey on the impact of COVID-19 on health systems based on 105 countries’ reports. Data collected from five regions over the period from March to June 2020 illustrate…

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