WHO

New Round Of Universal Health Coverage Policies Lies Ahead

January 31, 2024 People's Health Movement, People's Dispatch. Create! Economic insecurity, Health Care, universal healthcare, WHO

During this week’s session of the Executive Board (EB) of the World Health Organization (WHO), Universal Health Coverage (UHC) has been one of the topics in the spotlight. The original purpose of introducing the concept was to increase access to healthcare and financial protection from health expenditure. However, as Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus presented a thematic report to EB members, it became evident — yet again — that UHC-based policies are failing in achieving these goals. Instead of continuing a consistent upward trend, access to care has stagnated since 2019. Financial protection, on the other hand, has worsened.

‘Operation Al-Aqsa Flood’ Day 81: Gaza’s Health System Being ‘Decimated’

December 26, 2023 Mustafa Abu Sneineh, Mondoweiss. Educate! Gaza, Genocide, Hamas, Health Care, Israel, Palestine, Wars and Militarism, WHO

In his first public message since October 7, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar said that the Izz al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades are waging a fierce and unprecedented battle against Israeli occupation forces in the Gaza Strip in a letter published by Al-Jazeera Arabic on their website. Sinwar’s letter was addressed to members of the Hamas political bureau amid talks of Egyptian-Qatari mediation efforts to reach a ceasefire and a hostage exchange deal with Israel. Later on Monday, however, Al-Jazeera removed the letter from its website. Sinwar said that resistance fighters inflicted significant losses on Israeli forces, targeting no less than 5,000 soldiers, killing a third of them.

WHO: A ‘Death Sentence For Sick And Injured’ In Gaza

October 16, 2023 World Health Organization, Consortium News. Educate! Health Care, Human Rights, Israel, Palestine, WHO

As the United Nation’s agency responsible for public health, the World Health Organization (WHO) strongly condemns Israel’s repeated orders for the evacuation of 22 hospitals treating more than 2000 inpatients in northern Gaza. The forced evacuation of patients and health workers will further worsen the current humanitarian and public health catastrophe. The lives of many critically ill and fragile patients hang in the balance: those in intensive care or who rely on life support; patients undergoing hemodialysis; newborns in incubators; women with complications of pregnancy, and others all face imminent deterioration of their condition or death if they are forced to move and are cut off from life-saving medical attention while being evacuated.

Activists Demand Better Scrutiny Of Israeli Occupation’s Impact On Health

June 5, 2023 WHO Watch Team, People's Dispatch. Resist! health, Israel, Occupation, Palestine, The Nakba, WHO

As the World Health Organization (WHO) celebrated its 75th anniversary, the world also commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Nakba, which resulted in the forceful displacement of close to 800,00 Palestinians. The 76th World Health Assembly, held in Geneva from May 21-30, saw WHO members adopt a decision urging the Director-General to continue monitoring and reporting on the health conditions in Palestine. The decision received 76 votes in favor, 13 votes against, and 35 abstentions, which was similar to the voting patterns of previous years. Countries such as Zimbabwe, Cuba, Lebanon, Venezuela, and Sudan expressed concern about the health conditions in Palestine and stressed the importance of monitoring the health situation in the occupied territories.

WHO Stands With African Nations And Calls For Borders To Remain Open

December 1, 2021 World Health Organization , Black Agenda Report. Educate! Africa, COVID-19, Pandemic, WHO

As a growing number of countries impose flight bans on southern African nations due to concerns over the new Omicron variant, World Health Organization (WHO) urges countries to follow science and the International Health Regulations (2005). Travel restrictions may play a role in slightly reducing the spread of COVID-19 but place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods. If restrictions are implemented, they should not be unnecessarily invasive or intrusive, and should be scientifically based, according to the International Health Regulations which is a legally binding instrument of international law recognized by over 190 nations. This week, nations will be joining a special session of the World Health Assembly, organized by WHO to discuss how to collectively prepare and respond better to pandemics, building on their commitments to the International Health Regulations.

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