Latest news with #WHA
New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Malaysia on track to be smoke free by 2040, says health minister
CYBERJAYA: Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad remains confident that the country is on track to achieving its vision of a Smoke Free Malaysia by 2040. He said the ambitious goal could only be realised through shared commitment and by upholding policies that prioritise public health and well-being. The ministry, he added, is reinforcing its commitment to the smoke-free agenda with the launch of the National Lung Health Initiative 2025–2030. "Among our major milestones is the successful adoption of the Malaysia Lung Health Resolution, which was endorsed at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva. "This resolution is set to be adopted globally through the World Health Organisation (WHO). "As we look ahead, the Health Ministry remains steadfast in its mission to realise a Smoke Free Malaysia by 2040. "That vision can only be achieved through collective responsibility and by standing firm on policies rooted in the public interest," he said. Dzulkefly said this at the launch of the National Tobacco Control Conference (NTCC) held at the University of Cyberjaya today. He said, through a whole-of-nation approach involving all age groups and sectors, the ministry was optimistic that Malaysia's goal of becoming a smoke-free nation by 2040 can be successfully achieved. "For years, our dedicated teams have engaged, collaborated, and worked hand-in-hand with fellow government agencies, non-governmental organisations, international partners, academic institutions, and community leaders in a truly whole-of-nation and whole-of-society approach. "Together, we have advanced policies, campaigns, and reforms grounded in evidence, compassion, and the national interest," he said. At the same event, Dzulkefly also unveiled the official mascot, Pak Lung, symbolising strength, unity, and the collective fight against smoking. He said 100 mascots would be placed at strategic locations nationwide, not only to raise awareness about lung health, but also to promote the conservation of the Malayan tiger and the environment. "This is a moral fight. A national fight. A fight for our children. But the Health Ministry cannot win this fight alone. "We need all hands on deck — teachers, doctors, parents, advocates, religious leaders, researchers, and policymakers. "This is a national movement grounded in science, compassion, faith and unity," he said.
Japan Forward
3 days ago
- Health
- Japan Forward
To Reform WHO, Prevent US Withdrawal, Taiwan's Exclusion
このページを 日本語 で読む Taking in the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Assembly (WHA) of the World Health Organization (WHO) recently adopted the Pandemic Accord. It calls for strengthening measures to improve international cooperation to prevent and respond to future pandemics. For example, it promotes the transfer of technology and knowledge related to vaccine manufacturing to developing countries. Likewise, it advocates for the rapid sharing of information on pathogens. We remember the challenges and welcome the adoption of the accord. After all, viruses recognize no borders. That's why the denial of Taiwan's participation as an observer in the WHO General Assembly is so problematic. Once again, as in the past, this was due to obstruction from China. Eight countries, including Japan, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, issued a joint press statement contending that excluding Taiwan was "completely unjustified." Nevertheless, Taiwan remains excluded from the General Assembly. World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland (©Kyodo) A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson declared that Taiwan has sufficient unimpeded channels to communicate and cooperate with WHO in the technical domain. Then he claimed the "so-called 'gap' in global anti-epidemic efforts is nothing but a politically-driven lie." On the contrary, the truth is that it is Beijing that is peddling political lies. China cannot be allowed to willfully create blank spaces on the world health map. Unfortunately, the United States has announced its intention to withdraw from the WHO and did not attend the WHA. In a video address to the general assembly, US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr criticized the organization. "Not only has the WHO capitulated to political pressure from China, it's also failed to maintain an organization characterized by transparency and fair governance by and for its Member States," said Secretary Kennedy. He observed that the Pandemic Accord would "lock in all of the dysfunction of the WHO pandemic response." Saying, "we're not going to participate in that," he also suggested other nations consider leaving the WHO. Secretary Kennedy's views of China's influence on WHO are certainly valid. When the COVID-19 outbreak first occurred, China's government under Xi Jinping failed to disclose information promptly. The time lag allowed the virus to spread around the world with calamitous results. US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy. (©Getty via Kyodo） WHO's declaration of a global health emergency was also delayed. Despite those facts, Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus bent over backwards to please China in words and deeds. He even commended China for taking "swift and effective measures" after its repeated failures. Meanwhile, the US is a major manufacturer of vaccines. Its withdrawal from the WHO will create a tremendous vacuum. Moreover, China will replace the US as the number one contributor to the WHO budget, further increasing Beijing's influence. In that case, the WHO will lose even more transparency and fair governance. Such an outcome would not be desirable for either the world or America itself. Washington should reconsider its withdrawal from WHO and act responsibly as a member of the international community. Japan, the United States, Europe, and other nations must work together to reform the WHO. Simultaneously, they should begin planning for the election of WHO's next director general in 2027. Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong attended the 2025 WHA and met with Tedros. He told the director general, "China stands ready to work with the WHO to promote the building of a global community of health for all." The fact is, however, that a WHO led by China will do the exact opposite. Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
Medscape
4 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
World Health Assembly Adopts Rare Disease Resolution
On Saturday, May 24, the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) voted to adopt a resolution to establish a global framework to support the diagnosis and management of rare diseases and promote research in the field. Sponsored by more than 20 countries led by Egypt and Spain, the resolution comes as the culmination of a decade of advocacy by the rare disease community. 'We see this as a practical step forward; one that recognizes existing gaps and commits member states and the World Health Organization to stronger coordination and inclusive action,' said Her Excellency Hanan Al Kuwari, PhD, advisor to the Prime Minister of Qatar for Public Health Affairs, at a side event of the WHA organized by Rare Diseases International and co-hosted by Medscape and other organizations. Although most rare diseases are genetic, there are also rare autoimmune diseases, metabolic diseases, infectious diseases, and cancers. Each rare disease is uncommon alone, but when taken together they afflict about 300 million people globally. The individual rarity of the diseases means that they present a common challenge to health systems, which aren't prepared to address such uncommon cases. They can take a long time to diagnose, even in rich countries. In Europe, it takes an average of 4 years to diagnose a known rare disease. Once diagnosed, it can be difficult to get treatment because of a lack of specialized equipment and expertise, and existing drug treatments are expensive. These problems are amplified in poorer countries, where healthcare systems have access to fewer resources. The resolution tasks the World Health Organization (WHO) director general with developing a 10-year global action plan to tackle rare diseases. The plan should foster equitable access to diagnosis and treatment, as well as support research and monitoring of rare diseases. The resolution also calls for the director general to identify centers of excellence around the world for clinical work on rare disease groups. A draft global action plan should be prepared for consideration by the 81st World Health Assembly in 3 years. 'The global action plan will give structure, coherence, and momentum to a cause that, for too long, has been fragmented and underfunded,' said Mohamed Hassany, MD, Egypt's assistant minister of health for projects and public health initiatives, at the WHA side event. The Building Blocks of Change 'This is a huge and important step forward for the recognition of rare and low-prevalence diseases as a major public health need,' said Claudia Gonzaga-Jauregui, PhD, a geneticist at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and a founder of the Collaborative for Rare Diseases in the Caribbean and Latin America (CEPCAL). But change will take time, she told Medscape Medical News . 'Proper implementation of the resolution will take advocacy, changes in current legislation, or new legislation and regulatory frameworks in most countries, as well as development of national health plans,' she said. The resolution will help advocacy efforts in countries that have so far ignored rare diseases or put them low on their healthcare agenda. Gonzaga-Jauregui hopes that, in the mid- to long-term, the global action plan will put pressure on local and national governments to develop a rare disease agenda. Developing a framework for rare diseases won't only help the people living with rare diseases. Many advocates argue that it is a path to equitable, universal healthcare. 'If you get it right for the rare disease community, all healthcare systems will benefit,' said Kelly du Plessis, the founder and CEO of Rare Diseases South Africa, while hosting a panel at the WHA side event. EURORDIS-Rare Diseases Europe, which wasn't involved in the WHA side event, called the adoption of the resolution a historic moment. 'It sends a powerful and meaningful signal to policymakers the world over that the health and inclusion of the 300 million people living with a rare disease are now recognized as global priorities. The resolution reinforces the understanding that addressing rare diseases is essential to achieving universal health coverage and to building equitable, people-centered health systems,' Virginie Bros-Facer, CEO of EURORDIS, told Medscape Medical News . 'We commend the leadership of Spain, Egypt, and all co-sponsoring countries, and we thank the WHO for recognizing the challenges faced by people living with a rare or undiagnosed disease,' she added. 'EURORDIS stands ready to help shape and implement the Global Action Plan this resolution mandates. Our global community should be proud today, even if the world we want to achieve still lies far ahead.'
The Sun
5 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
WHA approves raising Palestinian flag at WHO hq, offices
ENEVA: The World Health Assembly (WHA) on Monday voted in favour of allowing the flags of non-member observer states to be raised at the World Health Organisation (WHO) headquarters and offices, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. The move clears the way for the Palestinian flag to be flown alongside those of WHO member states. The decision was approved with 95 votes in favour, four against -- Israel, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Germany -- and 27 abstentions. According to the resolution, the flags of non-member observer states at the UN will be placed after WHO member states, in alphabetical order. It also states that this move does not imply membership status in the organisation. Discussions focused on the Palestinian flag specifically, with UN General Assembly Resolution 70/15 cited as the legal basis. The draft resolution was proposed by 20 countries, including Malaysia, Algeria, Indonesia, Turkiye, and several Arab and African states.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
World Health Assembly approves raising Palestinian flag at WHO headquarters, offices
ENEVA: The World Health Assembly (WHA) on Monday voted in favour of allowing the flags of non-member observer states to be raised at the World Health Organisation (WHO) headquarters and offices, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. The move clears the way for the Palestinian flag to be flown alongside those of WHO member states. The decision was approved with 95 votes in favour, four against -- Israel, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Germany -- and 27 abstentions. According to the resolution, the flags of non-member observer states at the UN will be placed after WHO member states, in alphabetical order. It also states that this move does not imply membership status in the organisation. Discussions focused on the Palestinian flag specifically, with UN General Assembly Resolution 70/15 cited as the legal basis. The draft resolution was proposed by 20 countries, including Malaysia, Algeria, Indonesia, Turkiye, and several Arab and African states.
