LIVE NOW: My remarks at the opening of 156th WHO Executive Board meeting. #EB156

https://x.com/drtedros/status/1886334541436194856?s=46&t=BffO9hoLsgnerA7oEU29iQ

With WHO's support, Uganda’s Health Ministry has started a vaccine trial against #Ebola Sudan virus today. The trial will enroll contacts of people with the disease, and contacts of the contacts.

This vaccination trial was initiated with record speed, only three days since the outbreak was declared, while ensuring full compliance with international and national regulatory and ethical requirements. It is also the first trial to assess the clinical efficacy of a vaccine against Ebola Sudan virus disease.

This trial demonstrates the importance of investing in R&D for vaccines and treatments and outbreak response preparedness, as well as partnerships. We thank Makerere University and UVRI for their leadership, as well as Africa CDC, CEPI, EU HERA and IDRC for their collaboration on this lifesaving effort.

WHO will continue supporting the government in a comprehensive response to bring the outbreak under control.

WHO staff are working around the world to help the people we serve to:
- breathe cleaner air, eat healthier diets, drink safer water and use safer roads;
- get the safe, quality health services and products they need, where and when they need them, without worrying about what it will cost;
- stop outbreaks and deliver lifesaving care in the most difficult and dangerous situations.

Yesterday, I presented my report to the WHO Executive Board, summarizing what my colleagues have achieved in the past year: https://bit.ly/3CLOogp

We remain committed to achieve #HealthForAll and everywhere. #EB156

Since Saturday, WHO has supported the medical evacuation of 104 patients - large majority of them children – out of Gaza via the Rafah crossing to receive specialized care in Egypt. 172 companions travelled with the patients.

Around 12000-14000 people still need medical evacuation. We continue to urge for scaled-up approvals via all possible routes, including restoration of medical referrals to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, so the lives of thousands of patients can be saved in time.

Female genital mutilation:

-harms the health of women and girls;

-it has no medical benefits;

-it violates their rights.

On International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, we stand with all our partners in the commitment to end this harmful practice, forever. #EndFGM

Tackling obesity and wasting.
Fighting climate risks.
Ensuring medicine safety.
Immunizing millions of children.
Eliminating neglected tropical diseases.
Stopping mother-to-child HIV transmission.

These are just some of the highlights of our work for #HealthForAll.

For decades, WHO has worked with countries to #EndMalaria — 45 countries and 1 territory have been successful so far!

Hope towards a malaria-free world is rising with 25 of 83 endemic countries now reporting fewer than 10 cases per year.

#HealthForAll

On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we celebrate all women who have made many scientific breakthroughs in public health and medicine.

WHO remains committed to encouraging more women to enter science and creating an environment where they can progress and lead us towards #HealthForAll.

LIVE NOW: WHO media briefing on global health issues

https://x.com/drtedros/status/1889680495530918146?s=46&t=BffO9hoLsgnerA7oEU29iQ

Every day, WHO scans the world for health threats.

And we respond to dozens of outbreaks, conflicts, disasters and more.

Here are some highlights of how our teams across the world serve the most vulnerable people.

#HealthForAll

Nearly 1.2 million people lose their lives on the world’s roads every year.

They set out on a regular trip – to work, to school, to go shopping, to see a friend or to go on holiday – but that journey becomes their last.

My call to Ministers attending the 4th Ministerial Conference on #RoadSafety: The solutions are not always easy or popular, but we know they work, they save lives and are a good long-term investment in sustainability and productivity: bit.ly/4i3Lt1O

Together, we can work for a world in which everyone reaches their destination safely.