World Health Organization

WHO financing dialogue

28 October 2016 – The financing dialogue is a key element of WHO's reform process to better address the increasingly complex challenges of health in the 21st century. From persisting problems to new and emerging health threats, WHO needs the capability and flexibility to respond to this evolving environment. WHO is making some fundamental changes to enable it to respond faster and more effectively to emergencies, as well as to anticipate future health challenges and to minimize their impact.

Hepatitis C
Haiti
Lead poisoning
Nigeria
BreatheLife

Over 1 million treated with highly effective hepatitis C medicines

WHO

27 October 2016 – Over one million people in low- and middle-income countries have been treated with a revolutionary new cure for hepatitis C since its introduction two years ago. The new medicines have a cure rate of over 95%, fewer side effects than previously available therapies, and can completely cure the disease within three months.

Read the news release

Haiti: a journey of lifesaving supplies

WHO/C. Lindmeier

25 October 2016 – WHO has sent urgently needed medical supplies and medicines to Haiti to combat cholera, malaria and other diseases in communities struck by Hurricane Matthew. This photo story traces the journey of these supplies - from WHO's warehouse in Dubai, all the way to the hospitals, cholera treatment centres and emergency clinics in Haiti.

Read the photo story

Lead poisoning is entirely preventable

WHO

21 October 2016 – In 2013 lead exposure accounted for 853 000 deaths and 16.8 million life years lost due to its long-term effects on health, with the highest burden in developing countries. An important source of lead exposure, particularly in children, is paint containing high levels of lead. From 23 to 29 October 2016, the international lead poisoning prevention week of action will focus on eliminating lead paint.

Learn more about the campaign

Early warnings on disease outbreaks guide response in Nigeria

Ministry of Health Surveillance Officers in Borno state receive training on the EWARS Mobile Application

WHO/N Wijekoon

20 October 2016 – WHO has rapidly expanded and strengthened disease detection and response in support of the Government of Nigeria’s response to the humanitarian crisis in north eastern Nigeria, where 3.7 million people are in need of health assistance. Within two weeks of scaling up its emergency response in late August 2016, WHO rolled out its Early Warning Alert Response System in 56 health facilities in Borno state.

Cutting deaths caused by pollution

19 October 2016 – BreatheLife is a joint campaign led by WHO and the Climate & Clean Air Coalition to mobilize cities and individuals to protect our health and planet from the effects of air pollution. Together we aim to cut the number of deaths caused each year by pollution in half by 2030. We are creating change by connecting cities, increasing monitoring, accelerating solutions and empowering individuals.

Outbreaks and emergencies

Emergencies » Haiti hurricane » Nigeria crisis » South Sudan crisis » Yellow fever » Zika virus and complications »

Election of Director-General

Webstreaming of Candidates' Forum

1 November: 9:30-12:30 and 14:00-17:00.
2 November: 9:30-12:30 (Geneva time).

Highlights

Trachoma: WHO-led alliance awarded for saving the sight of millions
October 2016 – The WHO Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma by the year 2020 (GET2020) has been awarded the Global Partnership Award by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. The award is in recognition of the remarkable work accomplished by the Alliance in implementing the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy.

New web portal on health law and universal health coverage
October 2016 – With countries working towards universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals, WHO has developed a new portal to help strengthen health laws and regulatory systems. The portal provides guidelines, case studies, research, lessons learned, and other resources on health law topics.

Community-based social innovations to support older people
October 2016 -- The WHO Kobe Centre has launched a large-scale research project on community-based social innovations for healthy ageing. This new research aims at improving health and well-being of older people at a community level, and to guide development and implementation of various models of community-based care and support services.

India's leprosy case detection campaign reaches 320 million people
October 2016 -- A recent door-to-door leprosy case detection campaign in India has screened a record 320 million people, revealing thousands of 'hidden' cases in some of the country’s districts. The campaign by the National Leprosy Elimination Programme covered 149 districts across 19 states and mobilized almost 300 000 health workers.

What we do

Dr Chan, WHO Director-General, visits Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, three of the four countries where indigenous transmission of wild poliovirus has not yet been interrupted.

WHO

Health emergencies programme

WHO Health Emergencies Programme delivers rapid, predictable, and comprehensive support to countries and communities as they prepare for, face or recover from emergencies caused by any type of hazard to human health, whether disease outbreaks, natural or man-made disasters or conflicts.

Zika virus and complications

After a spike in cases of microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with Zika virus, WHO declared a public health emergency.

Commentaries

Three young girls smiling, in Mumbai India

The early years: silent emergency or unique opportunity?

"But although we know what has to be done in the early years, our challenge is to provide the necessary resources and opportunities for the most disadvantaged young children and their families."

Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO,
Anthony Lake, Executive Director, UNICEF, and
Keith Hansen, Vice President for Human Development, World Bank Group