Latest news with #TedrosGhebreyesus
Scoop
27-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Energy Access Has Improved, But More Funding Is Needed To Address Disparities: WHO
While the rate of basic access to energy has increased since 2022, the current pace is insufficient to reach universal access by 2030, one of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to a report published by the WHO and partners this Wednesday. The report highlights the role of cost-effective distributed renewable energy — a combination of mini-grid and off-grid solar systems — in accelerating energy access, particularly as the populations who remain unconnected mostly live in remote, lower-income, and fragile areas. Regional disparities 'Despite progress in some parts of the world, the expansion of electricity and clean cooking access remains disappointingly slow, especially in Africa,' said Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), as 85 per cent of the global population without electricity access reside in sub-Saharan Africa. In the region, renewables deployment has rapidly expanded; however, on average, it remains limited to 40 watts of installed capacity per capita — only one eighth of the average in other developing countries. Clean cooking As regional disparities persist, an estimated 1.5 billion people residing in rural areas still lack access to clean cooking, while over two billion people remain dependent on polluting and hazardous fuels such as firewood and charcoal for their cooking needs. Yet, the use of off-grid clean technologies, such as household biogas plants and mini-grids that enable electric cooking, can offer solutions that reduce the health impacts caused by household air pollution. 'The same pollutants that are poisoning our planet are also poisoning people, contributing to millions of deaths each year from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, particularly among the most vulnerable, including women and children," said Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. Lack of financing The report identified the lack of sufficient and affordable financing as a key reason for regional inequalities and slow progress. While international public financial flows to developing countries in support of clean energy have increased since 2022, the developing world received significantly fewer flows in 2023 than in 2016. 'This year's report shows that now is the time to come together to build on existing achievements and scale up our efforts,' said Stefan Schweinfest, Director of the UN Statistics Division, as the report called for strengthened international cooperation between the public and private sectors to scale up financial support for developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
Zawya
28-05-2025
- General
- Zawya
Professor Mohamed Yakub Janabi appointed World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa
The World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board today appointed Professor Mohamed Yakub Janabi as Regional Director of WHO African Region following his nomination during a Special Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa held on 18 May 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. 'I offer my warm congratulations to Professor Mohamed Yakub Janabi, and to the government and people of the United Republic of Tanzania, on your appointment by the Executive Board as Regional Director for Africa,' said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. 'We are grateful for your leadership and experience as we work together to navigate the challenges we face, and position our Organization to be stronger, more sustainable and more effective, using the current crisis as an opportunity.' Professor Janabi expressed gratitude and pledged to intensify efforts to improve the health of the people of the African Region. 'It is with profound humility and a deep sense of responsibility that I accept the honour of serving as the new Regional Director for Africa. I'm deeply honoured and sincerely grateful for the trust and confidence you have placed in me,' said Professor Janabi. 'Strengthening the foundation of WHO's work in the region remains a core priority for me. By aligning every action we take with country priorities we can deliver measurable, lasting impact that transforms lives.' A prominent cardiologist, health strategist and global health diplomat, Professor Janabi has dedicated his career to strengthening health systems, advancing equitable care, and championing innovation and collaboration to improve health outcomes in Africa. Professor Janabi will lead WHO's work in supporting the 47 Member States of the African Region in their efforts to improve the health and well-being of the population. Along with partners, WHO in Africa works across a range of areas — from health system strengthening, to disease prevention and emergency response — to promote, protect and provide health for all. His term begins on 30 June 2025 for the next five years and is eligible for reappointment once. He succeeds Dr Matshidiso Moeti, who led WHO in the African Region since 2015. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.
Times of Oman
21-05-2025
- Health
- Times of Oman
"Grateful for India's support to World Health Organisation": WHO Chief Ghebreyesus
Geneva: Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the 78th Session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva virtually from New Delhi on Tuesday, Director-General of the World Health Organisation, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed gratitude for India's commitment and support to the WHO. Sharing a post on X, Ghebreyesus wrote, "Namaste, Prime Minister @narendramodi, for joining us virtually at a historic #WHA78 when the Pandemic Accord was adopted. We are grateful for India's commitment and support to @WHO." PM Modi, while addressing the World Health Assembly on Tuesday, highlighted India's contributions to global health initiatives under the unifying theme of "One World for Health." PM Modi mentioned India's Ayushman Bharat scheme, the world's largest health insurance program, which covers 580 million people and provides free treatment. He outlined three cores for the future of a healthy world -- inclusion, integrated vision and collaboration. "The future of a healthy world depends on inclusion, integrated vision and collaboration. Inclusion is at the core of India's health reforms. We run Ayushman Bharat - the world's largest health insurance scheme. It covers 580 million people and provides free treatment. This program was recently extended to cover all Indians above 70 years," said PM Modi. PM Modi congratulated the WHO and member states on the successful negotiations of the INB Treaty, aimed at fighting future pandemics with greater cooperation. "I congratulate the WHO and all Member States on the successful negotiations of the INB Treaty. It is a shared commitment to fight future pandemics with greater cooperation while building a healthy planet. Let us ensure that no one is left behind," he said. Member States of the WHO unanimously adopted the world's first Pandemic Agreement at the 78th World Health Assembly. The agreement seeks to boost international coordination and ensure equitable access to life-saving tools during future pandemics, while reaffirming respect for national sovereignty in public health decisions. In a press release on Tuesday, the WHO said, "Member States of the World Health Organisation (WHO) today formally adopted by consensus the world's first Pandemic Agreement. The landmark decision by the 78th World Health Assembly culminates more than three years of intensive negotiations launched by governments in response to the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and driven by the goal of making the world safer from - and more equitable in response to - future pandemics."
Leaders
11-04-2025
- Health
- Leaders
Global Health: Gaza System Stockpiles to Run Out in 2 Weeks to Month
The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned (Thursday) that 75 percent of United Nations operations in the Gaza Strip over the past week were 'denied or impeded.' The organization confirmed, via the platform X, that Israel's prevention of humanitarian aid from entering the Gaza Strip since March 2 puts families at risk of disease and death amid dwindling supplies in the health system within the Strip. Tedros Ghebreyesus emphasized that the healthcare system's supplies in the Gaza Strip are expected to run out within two to four weeks. However, the World Health Organization 'will remain in Gaza' despite security risks and restrictions. The WHO Director-General called for the immediate lifting of the blockade on aid entering the Gaza Strip, the protection of healthcare workers, and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to all areas of the Strip. Related Topics : Makkah Deputy Governor Launches Healthcare Projects, Receives WHO Certificate Butterfly Organization: Saudi Arabia's Message of Hope to Rare Skin Patients Saudi Arabia Makes Major Strides towards Eradicating Poverty Worldwide UN Declares Nov. 24 'World Conjoined Twins Day' upon Saudi Arabia's Initiative Short link : Post Views: 17 Related Stories
Gulf News
25-02-2025
- Health
- Gulf News
Saudi Arabia renews $500 million pledge to global polio fight
Dubai: Saudi Arabia has renewed its $500 million commitment to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), reinforcing its role in the international fight to wipe out the disease. The announcement was made during the fourth Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum, where global health leaders met to discuss efforts to reach vulnerable children and end polio transmission. The pledge, first made in April 2024 at the World Economic Forum's special meeting in Riyadh, will help fund vaccinations for 370 million children annually. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief),signed the agreement alongside Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO); Catherine Russell, Executive Director of Unicef; Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; Dr. Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Gates Foundation; and Aziz Memon, head of the Pakistan Polio Program at Rotary International. 'The world is on track to eradicate polio once and for all, and Saudi Arabia is part of this global initiative,' Dr. Al Rabeeah said. 'This contribution will help protect today's most vulnerable children so that future generations can live free from this preventable disease.' Since its launch in 1988, GPEI has driven a 99 per cent reduction in polio cases, preventing paralysis in an estimated 20 million people. But health officials warn that fragile humanitarian conditions in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Yemen continue to fuel the virus's spread. Polio resurfaces in Gaza In 2024, polio resurfaced in Gaza, marking the first recorded case in 25 years. A child was left paralyzed, a stark reminder of the lingering threat posed by the disease. 'We have come a long way in our shared mission to erase polio from history, but the last mile is the hardest,' said Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO's Director-General. 'This generous contribution from Saudi Arabia will help us reach children in conflict zones and high-risk areas.' The fight against polio has come down to logistics and funding. Vaccination campaigns must reach children in remote and war-torn areas, where disrupted health services leave communities vulnerable. Governments and health workers, backed by GPEI, are adapting their strategies, integrating polio vaccines with other essential health services to reach the hardest-hit regions. The effort is being driven by some of the world's most influential global health figures, including Bill Gates, Chairman of the Gates Foundation, who described the progress as unprecedented but fragile. 'Just a few decades ago, polio crippled 350,000 children a year. In 2023, that number dropped to just 12,' Gates said. 'The world is closer than ever to eliminating this disease, but getting across the finish line will require continued global leadership and support.'
