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Tag: the World Health Organisation (WHO)

  • WHO to reduce workforce due to lack of fund

    WHO to reduce workforce due to lack of fund

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) is forced to reduce the number of employees due to a lack of money, and the number of departments will be reduced from 76 to 34.

    The Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who made this known yesterday, said: “As you know, we have been engaging in a major structural realignment, guided by an in-depth analysis of priorities.”

    The prioritisation exercise has informed the development of a new streamlined structure for headquarters, which reduced the executive management team from 14 to 7.

    The number of departments from 76 to 34, Tedros said in a report to the World Health Assembly.

    This is coming as the WHO opened its Annual Assembly in Geneva yesterday, with a key focus on the formal adoption of a long-anticipated ‘International Pandemic Treaty’.

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    Developed at record speed in response to lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, the agreement aimed to prevent the kind of chaos seen in the global scramble for medical supplies.

    The gathering also aimed to ensure fairer distribution of vaccines in future health crises.

    The treaty is scheduled for formal adoption today.

    However, several contentious details remain unresolved and are expected to be negotiated separately over the next year as part of an annex to the treaty.

    These include, for instance, how vaccine manufacturers obtain pathogens with pandemic potential and what the countries that provide them receive in return.

    The World Health Assembly brings together delegates from the WHO’s 194 member states and is the organisation’s main decision-making body.

    The WHO finds itself at a crossroads after the U.S., currently the organisation’s biggest donor, announced it will leave in early 2026.

    In response, the WHO had already announced sweeping cost-cutting measures, including staff reductions.

    Germany said on Sunday it would increase its support for the WHO by an additional 10 million euros (11.2 million dollars) to help fill the gap left by the U.S. exit.

    Germany had already supported the WHO with approximately 290 million euros over 2024 and 2025, according to government figures.

  • Breast cancer cases to surge by 38% by 2050 worldwide, WHO warns

    Breast cancer cases to surge by 38% by 2050 worldwide, WHO warns

    Breast cancer cases worldwide are expected to increase by 38 per cent by 2050, a new report has revealed.

    The report, which was compiled by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a branch of the World Health Organisation (WHO), was published in Nature Medicine.

    It warns that deaths from the disease could also rise by 68 per cent, if current trends continue. By mid-century, the world could see 3.2 million new cases and 1.1 million deaths annually.

    Experts say the impact will be worse in low- and middle-income countries, where many women lack access to early detection and proper treatment.

    IARC scientist, Joanne Kim, announced that every minute, four women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and one woman dies from it.

    “These numbers are getting worse, but governments can change this by investing in early detection and treatment,” Kim said.

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    The highest number of cases is found in Australia, New Zealand, North America, and Northern Europe. In contrast, South-Central Asia and parts of Africa have the lowest rates.

    But the worst death rates occur in Melanesia, Polynesia, and Western Africa, where poor healthcare access leads to worse outcomes.

    Survival rates for breast cancer vary greatly on a country’s economic status. In high-income countries, 83 per cent of women diagnosed with the disease survive due to better access to early detection, advanced treatment, and healthcare infrastructure.

    But in low-income countries, more than half of women diagnosed with breast cancer die, often due to late diagnosis, limited medical resources, and inadequate treatment options.

    To combat the rising numbers, WHO launched the Global Breast Cancer Initiative in 2021. The goal is to cut breast cancer deaths by 2.5 per cent each year, potentially saving 2.5 million lives by 2040.

    IARC’s Deputy Head of Cancer Surveillance, Isabelle Soerjomataram, stressed the need for better cancer data and policies, especially in poorer regions.

    “Early diagnosis and access to treatment must improve if we are to reduce suffering and death worldwide,” she said.

    The report calls for stronger health systems, more funding for breast cancer screening, and affordable prevention strategies.

    Without urgent action, millions of women could lose their lives to a disease that is now more preventable and treatable than ever.

  • Why men’s health awareness matters

    Why men’s health awareness matters

    Sir: Early in November, the World Health Organisation (WHO) used its public WhatsApp channel to broadcast an important message: “November is Men’s Health Month.

    Throughout this month, men are encouraged to grow moustaches to raise awareness and spark conversations about health issues like prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health. Let’s go beyond conversation and take action!”

    The message further stated, “Women have a role to play too! Encourage and support the men in your life to take the steps needed to improve their health,” before providing a web link for more details.

    As November progressed, it became apparent that despite the importance of men’s health, the subject was overshadowed by other significant events like World Diabetes Day (November 14), Cervical Cancer Elimination Day (November 17), World Toilet Day (November 19), and the Anti-Microbial Resistance Awareness Week (November 18–24).

    The goal of Men’s Health Awareness Month is to encourage men to talk about their health and seek support when needed. It focuses on issues like prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health challenges, and suicide prevention.

    Bringing the conversation closer to home, men are disproportionately affected by heart disease, cancer, and mental health issues, yet many adopt a “stiff upper lip” mentality, often choosing to endure symptoms rather than seek help.

    This reluctance is alarming. Globally, men die an average of 4.5 years earlier than women, with 86% of these deaths attributed to non-communicable diseases and injuries, according to a 2019 WHO study.

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    Prostate cancer remains a significant health concern worldwide, with over 1.4 million cases diagnosed in 2020 and an age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of 30.7 per 100,000 males. In Nigeria, it is the most common cancer among men, accounting for 11–15.1% of all male cancers.

    Between 2009 and 2016, data from 15 cancer registries in Nigeria recorded 4,091 cases, with 80% deemed incurable at diagnosis. This underscores the lack of investment in men’s healthcare.

    Mental health is another area plagued by harmful stereotypes and societal expectations. An estimated 40 to 60 million Nigerians suffer from various mental health disorders. The country ranks fifth globally in suicide rates, with about 15,000 cases per 100,000 people.

    For men, societal pressures to fulfil financial and family responsibilities exacerbate their mental health struggles. Failure to meet these expectations often earns them harsh labels like “irresponsible,” further driving depression.

    On the cardiovascular front, heart diseases, high blood pressure, and strokes remain leading causes of death among men. Occupational hazards also contribute significantly to premature deaths, while lifestyle choices such as smoking, poor diets, alcohol consumption, and exposure to interpersonal violence increase health risks.

    Men’s health issues are compounded by risk-taking behaviours and underutilization of healthcare services, which are consistent across many countries. These trends highlight the importance of leveraging platforms like Men’s Health Month to challenge societal norms and encourage proactive health management.

    David Samadi, a world-renowned urologist and prostate cancer expert, aptly observed that, “Men’s health is not just about physical health, but also about mental and emotional wellbeing.” His words emphasize that men’s health has far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the individuals but also their families and communities.

    Although this year’s Men’s Health Awareness Month has come and gone, the mission does not stop here. Instead, it should mark the beginning of sustained efforts to keep the conversation alive, promote healthy living, and drive awareness year-round.

    This is an urgent appeal to individuals, organizations, and policymakers to prioritize men’s health issues and foster environments that encourage men to seek help without fear of stigma or judgment. Together, we can ensure that men’s health receives the attention it truly deserves.

    •Lawal Dahiru Mamman,Abuja.