World Health Assembly

Pandemic Accord Must Work for All, says AHF

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 8, 2024
Advocacy Group Opinion, Infectious Diseases, COVID-19, Health, Public Policy, Government, World Health Day, AHF, Public, AIDS, World Health Assembly, AIDS Healthcare Foundation

“The COVID-19 pandemic exposed how woefully unprepared we were in responding to deadly outbreaks – and sadly, four years later, we are still not prepared for the next big health crisis,” said AHF President Michael Weinstein.

Key Points: 
  • “The COVID-19 pandemic exposed how woefully unprepared we were in responding to deadly outbreaks – and sadly, four years later, we are still not prepared for the next big health crisis,” said AHF President Michael Weinstein.
  • “World leaders must get the Pandemic Accord back on track and negotiate it in good faith for the entire world—not just what’s best for their political and financial interests.
  • The new pandemic agreement must be based on transparency, accountability, and cooperation.
  • If World Health Assembly Member States fail to heed lessons from the past pandemic, the world will be right back where we started with COVID-19.

World Health Organization Presents Global Action Plan for Neurological Disorders at World Congress of Neurology

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 16, 2023
Diagnosis, Congress, Death, Public, DSM-IV codes, Epilepsy, WHO, World Health Organization, Nursing, World Health Assembly, Thought, Policy, Health policy, Practitioner, WCN, Research, Global health, Veterinary medicine, Neurology

MONTREAL, Oct. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Health Organization (WHO) revealed its new Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP), a critical blueprint for combating neurological conditions that calls for urgent action from governments and health care organizations around the world.

Key Points: 
  • MONTREAL, Oct. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Health Organization (WHO) revealed its new Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP), a critical blueprint for combating neurological conditions that calls for urgent action from governments and health care organizations around the world.
  • IGAP outlines goals to help governments and national health care organizations direct research and investment in areas with the greatest possible impact on global health.
  • "The Intersectoral Global Action Plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders is a roadmap that outlines how we can promote brain health, prevent neurological disorders and ensure appropriate diagnosis, treatment and care for people living with these conditions," said Dr. Tarun Dua, Head of the Brain Health Unit at the World Health Organization (WHO), who presented the new IGAP at the 26th World Congress of Neurology .
  • This is the first time such a comprehensive plan on neurological conditions has been developed within the World Health Assembly.

World Health Organization Presents Global Action Plan for Neurological Disorders at World Congress of Neurology

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 16, 2023
Diagnosis, Congress, Death, Public, DSM-IV codes, Epilepsy, WHO, World Health Organization, Nursing, World Health Assembly, Thought, Policy, Health policy, Practitioner, WCN, Research, Global health, Veterinary medicine, Neurology

MONTREAL, Oct. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Health Organization (WHO) revealed its new Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP), a critical blueprint for combating neurological conditions that calls for urgent action from governments and health care organizations around the world.

Key Points: 
  • MONTREAL, Oct. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Health Organization (WHO) revealed its new Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP), a critical blueprint for combating neurological conditions that calls for urgent action from governments and health care organizations around the world.
  • IGAP outlines goals to help governments and national health care organizations direct research and investment in areas with the greatest possible impact on global health.
  • "The Intersectoral Global Action Plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders is a roadmap that outlines how we can promote brain health, prevent neurological disorders and ensure appropriate diagnosis, treatment and care for people living with these conditions," said Dr. Tarun Dua, Head of the Brain Health Unit at the World Health Organization (WHO), who presented the new IGAP at the 26th World Congress of Neurology .
  • This is the first time such a comprehensive plan on neurological conditions has been developed within the World Health Assembly.

Codify Self-Care for Advancement of Universal Health Coverage, Says United for Self-Care Coalition at WHA76

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 25, 2023
FIP, Primary health care, PHC, International, Coalition, World Health Assembly, Health equity, Quality of life, International Pharmaceutical Federation, Organization, European Platform for Patients' Organisations, Science and Industry, CH, Patient, UHC, Imperial College London, GENEVE, Health, WHO, Notifiable disease, Biofeedback Certification International Alliance, World Health Organization, Nursing, Pharmaceutical industry, United

Embedding self-care practices into the healthcare continuum has the potential to improve health and quality of life whilst promoting health system sustainability.

Key Points: 
  • Embedding self-care practices into the healthcare continuum has the potential to improve health and quality of life whilst promoting health system sustainability.
  • Speakers highlighted the potential benefits of self-care, including improved health outcomes, increased access to healthcare services, stronger health systems and reduced healthcare costs.
  • "The United for Self-Care Coalition is proud to have hosted this important side event at the World Health Assembly," said Judy Stenmark, Director General of the Global Self-Care Federation.
  • For more information about the United for Self-Care Coalition and details on how to join, please visit https://www.unitedforselfcare.org

Food Fortification a Major Focus at the World Health Assembly

Retrieved on: 
Monday, May 22, 2023
Commissioner, WHA, Private sector, Food, Nutrition, Prevalence, Food safety, Face, Economic methodology, Medicine, Malnutrition, Public, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, COVID-19, World Health Assembly, Infection, Woman, Paratriathlon, Health policy, GAIN, Incidence, Rural Economy and Agriculture Committee, Leading Group on Innovative Financing for Development, Risk, Master of ceremonies, Anemia, Child, Food fortification, Outline of health sciences, World Health Organization, Agriculture, Climate, WHO, Global Alliance, Hunger, African, Master, Dietary supplement, African Union

The public can follow the updates on the Food Fortification resolution here.

Key Points: 
  • The public can follow the updates on the Food Fortification resolution here.
  • Food fortification has been identified as a cost-effective and sustainable strategy to combat hidden hunger and improve public health.
  • "We welcome this important resolution of the World Health Assembly as food fortification is also on the front burner at the African Union."
  • In addition to Lawrence Haddad, speakers will include representatives from supportive member states, food fortification experts and representatives from the disability rights, child rights, and health policy communities.

Cerus Corporation Celebrates World Blood Donor Day 2023

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Health, Hospitals, Other Health, General Health, Pharmaceutical, Cardiology, Biotechnology, World Blood Donor Day, Cancer, World Health Assembly, Plasma, Corporation, Blood transfusion, Patient, Blood, CERS, WHO, World Health Organization, Medical device, Cerus Corporation

Cerus Corporation (Nasdaq: CERS) is proud to announce its celebration of World Blood Donor Day 2023.

Key Points: 
  • Cerus Corporation (Nasdaq: CERS) is proud to announce its celebration of World Blood Donor Day 2023.
  • In 2005, the World Health Assembly designated June 14 as World Blood Donor Day to recognize and thank blood donors across the world for their important contributions to the global blood supply.
  • At Cerus, we are focused on enabling both blood safety and availability through technology innovation, including expansion of donor eligibility when feasible,” Greenman continued.
  • “Whether for daily transfusion requirements or pandemic preparedness, the blood supply depends on the generosity of donors every single day.”
    In recognition of World Blood Donor Day, Cerus will host a blood drive at company headquarters and encourages everyone to participate in supporting blood product availability in their local communities.

Removing antimicrobial resistance from the WHO’s ‘pandemic treaty’ will leave humanity extremely vulnerable to future pandemics

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, June 4, 2023
Plague, Health policy, Pathogenic bacteria, Antimicrobial stewardship, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Coronavirus, Infection, Policy, COVID-19, MRSA, INB, Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance, World Health Assembly, Research, Goal, AMR, Fungus, Language, Hygiene, Genetically modified bacteria, Death, Pandemic, Antimalarial medication, Journal, Publishing, Animal, Antimicrobial, Patient, Risk, Cholera, Sanitation, Water, Intergovernmental, Parasitism, Tuberculosis, Bacteria, World, WHO, Environment, Virus, Pneumonia, World Health Organization, Vaccine, Medicine, Ethics, Northwestern University

The text was made available online via Health Policy Watch and it quickly became apparent that all mentions of addressing antimicrobial resistance in the Pandemic Instrument were at risk of removal.

Key Points: 
  • The text was made available online via Health Policy Watch and it quickly became apparent that all mentions of addressing antimicrobial resistance in the Pandemic Instrument were at risk of removal.
  • Just three years after the onset of a global pandemic, it is understandable why Member States negotiating the Pandemic Instrument have focused on preventing pandemics that resemble COVID-19.
  • But not all pandemics in the past have been caused by viruses and not all pandemics in the future will be caused by viruses.

Antimicrobial resistance

    • Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the process by which infections caused by microbes become resistant to the medicines developed to treat them.
    • AMR is fueling the rise of drug-resistant infections, including drug-resistant tuberculosis, drug-resistant pneumonia and drug-resistant Staph infections such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
    • That’s why the potential removal of measures that would help mitigate AMR and better safeguard antimicrobial effectiveness is so concerning.


    The exclusion of these measures would hinder efforts to protect people from future pandemics, and appears to be part of a broader shift to water-down the language in the Pandemic Instrument, making it easier for countries to opt-out of taking recommended actions to prevent future pandemics.

Making the ‘pandemic treaty’ more robust

    • They outlined that including bacterial pathogens in the definition of “pandemics” was critical.
    • They also identified specific provisions that should be tweaked to track and address both viral and bacterial threats.
    • These included AMR and recommended harmonizing national AMR stewardship rules.

Next steps

    • The Pandemic Instrument is the best option to mitigate AMR and safeguard lifesaving antimicrobials to treat secondary infections in pandemics.
    • AMR exceeds the capacity of any single country or sector to solve.
    • If governments are serious about pandemic preparedness, they must support bold measures to conserve the effectiveness of antimicrobials within the Pandemic Instrument.

WHA Member States Must Ratify Enforceable Pandemic Accord, Says AHF

Retrieved on: 
Monday, May 22, 2023
Public Policy, Government, Pharmaceutical, AIDS, Health, COVID-19, Other Policy Issues, Healthcare Reform, Infectious Diseases, AHF, World Health Assembly, Aviation, Seventy-sixth session of the United Nations General Assembly, Pandemic, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Commerce, Public, Pharmaceutical industry

With the Seventy-sixth World Health Assembly underway in Geneva, AIDS Healthcare Foundation reiterates that the world desperately still needs an enforceable pandemic accord that ensures pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response – a mechanism grounded in transparency, accountability, and cooperation.

Key Points: 
  • With the Seventy-sixth World Health Assembly underway in Geneva, AIDS Healthcare Foundation reiterates that the world desperately still needs an enforceable pandemic accord that ensures pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response – a mechanism grounded in transparency, accountability, and cooperation.
  • “This is the third World Health Assembly since the start of COVID-19, and we’re hearing the same old song and dance – WHA Member States are not willing to do what is necessary , including thwarting pharma greed, to adequately protect their and the world’s citizens from future pandemics,” said AHF President Michael Weinstein.
  • “We urge the 194 Member States, particularly wealthy countries, to negotiate and agree on a pandemic accord that serves all countries and works to ensure transparency, accountability, and cooperation.
  • Like aviation, commerce, and atomic energy – global public health needs its own widely accepted standard during public health emergencies.

The Rockefeller Foundation and World Health Organization Announce Partnership to Expand Global Pandemic Preparedness in Era of Climate Change

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, Partnership, Rockefeller Foundation, University, Boston Children's Hospital, World Health Assembly, Intelligence, US, Pandemic, Climate change, COVID-19, Risk, Weather, Hospital, WHO, Hub, World Health Organization, Pharmaceutical industry

GENEVA, May 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rockefeller Foundation and the World Health Organization (WHO) have announced a new partnership to strengthen the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence. As part of the collaboration, the Foundation is investing US$ 5M in partners working with WHO to cultivate global networks for pathogen detection and strengthen pandemic preparedness capabilities, including broadening surveillance for diseases worsened by rising temperatures and extreme weather.

Key Points: 
  • The partnership with The Rockefeller Foundation will accelerate these efforts with catalytic funding and technical assistance.
  • "With the increasing threats from climate change, we are excited to partner with The Rockefeller Foundation to usher in a new era of global collaboration in pandemic intelligence."
  • "Climate change is increasing both the risk of another global pandemic and the need to collaborate and share data," said Dr. Rajiv Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation.
  • The Rockefeller Foundation launched the partnership with the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence on May 23, 2023, at the sidelines of the 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.

SK bioscience Presents Solution for Equitable Access of Vaccine at Regionalized Vaccine Manufacturing Collaborative of World Economic Forum

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Epidemic, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Pan American Health Organization, SK, Multilateralism, WEF, Glocalization, Coalition, PAHO, CEPI, World Health Assembly, COVID-19, GAVI, African Center for Economic Transformation, Messenger, RVMC, Rochester Regional Health, Gavi, WHO, Vaccine, Ahn, World Health Organization, Pharmaceutical industry, Security (finance), Immunization, Health

Jaeyong Ahn, CEO of SK bioscience, presents the 'Glocalization' project to secure the global vaccine accessibility, claiming the importance of international cooperation to establish a regional-based vaccine hub at the Regionalized Vaccine Manufacturing Collaborative Side Event.

Key Points: 
  • Jaeyong Ahn, CEO of SK bioscience, presents the 'Glocalization' project to secure the global vaccine accessibility, claiming the importance of international cooperation to establish a regional-based vaccine hub at the Regionalized Vaccine Manufacturing Collaborative Side Event.
  • The RVMC is a global initiative launched at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in May 2022 to address inequality in vaccine distribution between few rich countries and low- and middle-income countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • SK bioscience came up with a regional-based vaccine hub as a business model during the COVID-19 pandemic when inequality in COVID-19 vaccine distribution was exposed.
  • Currently, SK bioscience is preparing to establish the regional vaccine hubs in the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.