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  • Uzodimma, UNICEF, WHO urge mothers not to abandon breastfeeding babies

    Uzodimma, UNICEF, WHO urge mothers not to abandon breastfeeding babies

    The wife of Imo State Governor, Dr.(Mrs.) Chioma Uzodimma, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), has launched a campaign to encourage mothers to breastfeed their babies.

     The campaign which ran from August 1st to 7th, 2025, was marked with radio talk shows, a road walk, and the distribution of educational materials across the state.

     Mrs. Uzodimma noted that the campaign was aimed to promote the importance of breastfeeding for the health and well-being of infants. According to the Imo First Lady breastfeeding is crucial for a child’s development and provides essential nutrients and antibodies that help protect against diseases.

     “Breastfeeding is not just beneficial for the baby, but also for the mother,” Uzodimma said, adding that “it helps in bonding between the mother and child, and also has health benefits for the mother. We urge all mothers to take advantage of this natural and cost-effective way to nourish their babies.”

     The theme of this year’s celebration, ‘Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems,’ underscores the need for collective action to support breastfeeding mothers and create an enabling environment for them to breastfeed with ease.

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     Mrs. Uzodimma also urged stakeholders to work together to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding, saying, “Creating sustainable support systems requires collective action. Let us stand together to prioritize breastfeeding and create a sustainable environment that allows mothers to breastfeed with ease.”

     Dr. Ijeoma Onuoha Ogwe, Communication Specialist at UNICEF Enugu Field Office,  emphasized the need for sustainable support systems to promote breastfeeding in Nigeria.

    According to Dr. Ogwe, “Breastfeeding is a cornerstone of child survival, growth, and healthy development.”

    However, she noted that many Nigerian babies are not benefiting from optimal breastfeeding practices, with only 1 in 3 babies given breastmilk in the first hour after birth and only 1 in 3 babies exclusively breastfed for up to six months.

     Ogwe highlighted the importance of early initiation, exclusive breastfeeding, and sustained breastfeeding, saying, “Mothers need sustainable support systems to successfully breastfeed, at home, work, and in the community.” She called on health workers to provide counselling, peer encouragement, and consistent health advice to mothers and household members.

    The UNICEF Communication Specialist also urged governments and employers to invest in coordinated support for breastfeeding, including paid maternity leave, breastfeeding breaks, and workplace facilities. “Policymakers must put in place key practices and outcomes to strengthen breastfeeding,” she said. “Monitor and enforce the implementation of policies that protect breastfeeding, such as the code of marketing of breastmilk substitutes.”

     Ogwe emphasized the benefits of breastfeeding, including its role in reducing healthcare costs, boosting cognitive development, and strengthening economies. She also highlighted the environmental benefits of breastfeeding, saying, “Breastmilk is a natural, renewable source of food that is produced and delivered without generating pollution, plastic waste, or environmental harm.”

     In his opening remarks, Director General of Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA), Francis Nwubani, stressed the crucial role of the media in disseminating information about breastfeeding. “You play a key role in this agenda of informing the public about breastfeeding,” Nwubani said. “As we deliberate on this media dialogue, may God grant all of us the strength to pass the good messages of breastfeeding to the public and inform people about their role in creating supportive and sustainable environments for breastfeeding.”

    In a joint online statement, WHO Director-General,  Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, echoed Mrs Uzodimma’s sentiments, highlighting the significance of breastfeeding in reducing infant mortality rates and promoting healthy growth and development.

    “Investing in breastfeeding is an investment in the future, yet only 48 per cent of infants under six months are exclusively breastfed – well below the World Health Assembly target of 60 per cent by 2030. This is due to the overlapping challenges for new mothers, health workers, and health systems.

    “Millions of mothers around the world do not receive timely and skilled support in a healthcare setting, when they need it most.

    “Only a fifth of countries include infant and young child feeding training for the doctors and nurses who care for new mothers. This means the majority of the world’s mothers leave hospitals without proper guidance on how to breastfeed their babies and when to introduce complementary feeding.

    “In many countries, health systems are too often under-resourced, fragmented, or poorly equipped to deliver quality, consistent, evidence-based breastfeeding support.

    “Investment in breastfeeding support remains critically low even though every dollar invested generates US$35 in economic returns.”

  • Israel responds to WHO accusations over attacks on Gaza facilities

    Israel responds to WHO accusations over attacks on Gaza facilities

    Israel’s military on Tuesday responded to accusations by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that its forces attacked the UN agency’s facilities in central Gaza and detained staff members.

    The military said soldiers came under fire in the city of Deir al-Balah on Monday and returned fire in the direction the shots originated.

    However, the military did not specify whether the gunfire came from WHO premises in Deir al-Balah.

    The WHO said that a staff accommodation facility was attacked on Monday and that a central warehouse had been damaged in a separate incident on Sunday.

    According to a report by Israeli news outlet Ynet, citing a military spokesperson, the army is aware of claims that a residential complex housing WHO employees was struck.

    The report added that, according to the military, no agency staffs were injured.

    The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) publicly confirmed that several individuals were detained in Deir al-Balah on suspicion of “involvement in terrorism.’’

    It did not clarify whether those detained were WHO employees or their relatives, as the UN agency has claimed.

    Most of those detained were released following on-site questioning, the army said.

    The IDF did not comment on one individual who, according to the WHO, remained in custody.

    In a statement on Monday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said male WHO staff and their male relatives had been handcuffed, stripped, searched at gunpoint, and interrogated on site.

    Responding to the claim, the Israeli military stated on Tuesday that at times during field questioning.

    Read Also: UK, France, 23 other nations condemn Israel over ‘inhumane killing’ of civilians

    “It is necessary for individuals suspected of terrorist activity to temporarily remove parts of their clothing in order to ensure that they are not concealing explosive belts or other weapons.’’

    Suspects were treated in accordance with international law, the military added.

    Ghebreyesus also said that women and children related to WHO staff had been forced to flee on foot amid the fighting.

    The Israeli military said it had warned civilians to leave the area prior to its operation and had been in contact with international organisations operating there.

    The IDF advanced this week into the south-west of Deir al-Balah as part of its operations against Hamas and other militant groups.

    (dpa/NAN)

  • Nigeria reaffirms continental drug regulation leadership, cites WHO benchmarking success

    Nigeria reaffirms continental drug regulation leadership, cites WHO benchmarking success

    The Federal government has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to leading regulatory excellence on the African continent.

    The government stance becomes imperative because, faced with the urgent need to strengthen its regulatory oversight of medicines and vaccines, Nigeria embarked on the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Benchmarking process in 2018, the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said.

    According to her, at the time, the country’s regulatory framework struggled with gaps in efficiency, capacity, and international credibility, issues that affected public trust, delayed access to quality-assured medical products, and hindered local pharmaceutical manufacturing.

    She said the decision to undergo WHO benchmarking was a strategic response to these systemic challenges.

    Adeyeye spoke recently in Abuja during the NAFDAC-hosted first in-person meeting of the WHO Maturity Level 3 (ML3) National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs), that focused on streamlining regulatory pathways, strengthening cooperation, and aligning with broader African Union health goals.

    The in-person meeting brought together the heads of seven other WHO Maturity Level 3 regulatory agencies in Africa, along with experts from across the continent, to share experiences on reliance practices, identify common challenges, and review a draft operational plan for collaborative implementation.

    Explaining that through the Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT), a WHO mechanism developed following the World Health Assembly’s 2014 Resolution 67.20, Adeyeye noted that NAFDAC was evaluated across more than 260 sub-indicators under eight core regulatory functions.

    The regulatory functions, according to her included market authorization, surveillance and control, clinical trial oversight, inspection, laboratory testing, vigilance, licensing, and the strength of the overall regulatory system.

    The outcome of that assessment was sobering: over 800 recommendations were issued, revealing the scope of reform required, she noted.

    In the years that followed, she said NAFDAC implemented the recommendations with strong institutional will, technical investments, and support from partners.

    “In 2022, Nigeria achieved ML3 status, signifying that its regulatory system was now stable, well-functioning, and capable of ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of medicines and imported vaccines.

    “This milestone placed Nigeria among a select group of African countries to reach ML3—alongside Tanzania, Ghana, Egypt, South Africa, Senegal, Zimbabwe, and Rwanda.

    “While the achievement reflected national progress, it also underscored a continental opportunity: to build a collaborative regulatory model that reduces duplication, increases access to quality-assured health products, and strengthens Africa’s health sovereignty”, she stressed.

    To seize the opportunity, the DG noted that the eight African ML3 NRAs signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in February 2025, adding, “The agreement, aimed at formalizing a regulatory reliance mechanism, provides a framework for shared assessments, mutual recognition, and data exchange.

    “It seeks to harmonize regulatory practices across borders and improve efficiency in approving medical products.

    “The MoU aligns with key continental initiatives such as the African Medicines Agency (AMA), the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization (AMRH) programme, the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa (PMPA), the Partnership for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM), and the Platform for Harmonized African Health Products Manufacturing (PHAHM).

    “By establishing reliance practices, the ML3 NRAs aim to support local manufacturing, reduce the time and cost of product approvals, and accelerate access to quality medical products.

    “This will support the African Union’s strategy and bring its Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa to reality.

    Read Also: WHO backs new injectable HIV prevention drug

    “To oversee the implementation of this mechanism, a Steering Committee composed of the heads of the eight ML3 NRAs was inaugurated in Abuja”.

    Mr. Richard Tendayi Rukwata, Director-General of the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe, was elected as Chair, while Dr. Ali Ghamrawy of the Egyptian Drug Authority was elected Vice Chair for a two-year term.

    The Committee is responsible for providing strategic guidance, resolving policy-level issues, and ensuring alignment with both national and regional regulatory priorities. Representatives from the AMA, AMRH, and Africa CDC serve as non-voting members, while support partners may participate as observers.

    The Abuja meeting also explored integration with the upcoming Regulatory Information Sharing Portal (RISP), and the role of ML3 agencies in supporting AMA operations and the Africa CDC’s African Pooled Procurement Mechanism (APPM).

    Through this collaboration, the ML3 NRAs are laying the groundwork for a unified regulatory space in Africa—one that reduces inefficiencies, ensures quality, and enables timely access to essential medicines and vaccines across the continent.

  • WHO backs new injectable HIV prevention drug

    WHO backs new injectable HIV prevention drug

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has for the first time recommended the use of injectable lenacapavir (LEN) as a twice-yearly HIV prevention option, marking a breakthrough in the global fight against the disease.

    The announcement was made on Sunday evening during the ongoing 13th International AIDS Society Conference (IAS 2025) on HIV Science in Kigali, Rwanda.

    With just two doses a year, LEN becomes the first long-acting, injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug that the WHO is recommending as an additional tool in its HIV prevention arsenal.

    Experts say it offers new hope to people at risk of HIV, especially those who struggle with daily pills due to stigma, access issues or adherence challenges.

    Director-General of WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described lenacapavir as “the next best thing” in the absence of an HIV vaccine.

    “Lenacapavir is a long-acting antiretroviral shown in trials to prevent almost all HIV infections among those at risk,” he said.

    “The launch of WHO’s new guidelines, alongside the FDA’s recent approval, marks a critical step forward in expanding access to this powerful tool. WHO is committed to working with countries and partners to ensure this innovation reaches communities as quickly and safely as possible.”

    The new WHO recommendation comes amid growing concern that global HIV prevention efforts are stagnating. In 2024 alone, 1.3 million new infections were recorded, many among key and vulnerable groups such as sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender people, people who inject drugs, prisoners, and adolescents.

    WHO believes that expanding PrEP options will empower individuals with more control over their health choices. LEN now joins other WHO-approved PrEP methods, including daily oral pills, injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA), and the dapivirine vaginal ring.

    To support wider access, WHO also introduced new guidance simplifying HIV testing protocols. It now recommends the use of HIV rapid tests for initiating long-acting PrEP options like LEN and CAB-LA.

    The move eliminates the need for complex testing procedures, which have often been a barrier to PrEP delivery, particularly in community-based or low-resource settings.

    With these changes, long-acting PrEP may now be offered in pharmacies, clinics and even via telehealth platforms.

    Despite LEN’s proven effectiveness in clinical trials, access to the drug remains limited outside research settings. WHO is urging governments, donors, and global health organisations to integrate LEN into their national HIV prevention strategies immediately.

    The agency also encouraged countries to collect real-world data on uptake, adherence and impact to inform future scale-up.

    Also at IAS 2025, WHO updated its HIV treatment guidelines to include long-acting injectable cabotegravir and rilpivirine (CAB/RPV) as a switch option for people with full viral suppression who do not have hepatitis B. This could benefit people living with HIV who face difficulties sticking to daily oral medications.

    WHO further recommended integrating HIV services with those for noncommunicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.

    It also introduced new guidance on screening asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections, especially gonorrhoea and chlamydia, among at-risk populations.

    In addition, people living with HIV who contract mpox are now advised to initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART) rapidly, especially if they are ART-naïve or have experienced treatment interruptions.

    The updated guidelines are being launched at a time when international HIV programmes face a reduction in funding.

    WHO’s newly issued operational guidance on sustaining HIV services urges countries to prioritise essential services, monitor disruptions, and adapt delivery models to protect gains made in the fight against the epidemic.

    “We have the tools and the knowledge to end AIDS as a public health problem,” said Dr Meg Doherty, WHO’s Director of Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, and incoming Director of Science, Research, Evidence and Quality for Health.

    Read Also: WHO issues first global guidelines on dengue, zika, yellow fever, chikungunya

    “What we need now is bold implementation of these recommendations, grounded in equity and powered by communities.”

    According to WHO, an estimated 40.8 million people were living with HIV by the end of 2024, with around 65 per cent residing in Africa. During the same year, about 630,000 people died from HIV-related illnesses while 1.3 million people, 120,000 of them children, were newly infected.

    However, access to treatment continues to improve, with 31.6 million people on antiretroviral therapy globally in 2024, up from 30.3 million in 2023.

    IAS 2025, which runs from July 13 to 17, is the world’s largest scientific gathering on HIV research. Held in Kigali, the biennial conference features cutting-edge research and critical discussions aimed at influencing policy and accelerating the global HIV response.

    WHO is participating in several high-level sessions to highlight key innovations, equity in access, and the urgent need for sustained health funding.

  • WHO issues first global guidelines on dengue, zika, yellow fever, chikungunya

    WHO issues first global guidelines on dengue, zika, yellow fever, chikungunya

    The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday announced the release of new clinical guidelines for the management of arboviral diseases, including dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever.

    This is the first time WHO is issuing a single, comprehensive set of global recommendations covering all four diseases, which are transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. 

    The guidelines aim to equip health care providers with the tools and knowledge to deliver timely and effective care for suspected or confirmed cases.

    Once mostly confined to tropical and subtropical climates, arboviral diseases are now spreading to new regions, driven by climate change, rapid urbanisation, population growth, and increased global travel. 

    According to WHO, more than 5.6 billion people are currently at risk of infection.

    Health experts say the symptoms of these diseases often mimic each other and can resemble other fever-related illnesses, making diagnosis especially difficult, more so in regions where multiple arboviruses circulate at the same time and diagnostic capacity is limited.

    Read Also: International Council of Beverages Associations tackles WHO on SSB Tax

    “With the increasing frequency and scale of outbreaks, health care workers must be equipped to quickly identify and treat these diseases using the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidance,” WHO said in a statement.

    The new guidelines provide detailed recommendations for managing both mild and severe forms of the diseases, and are adaptable across all levels of the health system, from community-based care and primary health centres to emergency rooms and hospitals.

    By standardising care practices globally, WHO hopes to reduce complications, prevent deaths, and improve patient outcomes, particularly in vulnerable and resource-limited settings.

    The guidelines come at a time when dengue outbreaks are surging in several parts of the world, with Latin America and Southeast Asia among the hardest-hit regions.

    Health officials and stakeholders have welcomed the guidelines, describing them as a timely response to an increasingly urgent public health challenge.

    As arboviral infections continue to expand their reach, the WHO stressed the need for countries to strengthen disease surveillance, invest in diagnostics, and train frontline health workers in effective clinical response.

  • International Council of Beverages Associations tackles WHO on SSB Tax

    International Council of Beverages Associations tackles WHO on SSB Tax

    The International Council for Beverages Association (ICBA) has expressed deep concern about the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s continued disregard of a decade-long fact-based evidence showing that taxing sugar-sweetened beverages has never improved health outcomes or reduced obesity in any country.

    This concern was expressed by the Executive Director of the International Council of Beverages Associations (ICBA), Kate Loatman, in a press statement in response to WHO’s latest call for an increase in the taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages.

    “It’s deeply concerning that the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to disregard over a decade of clear evidence showing that taxing sugar-sweetened beverages has never improved health outcomes or reduced obesity in any country. In fact, the WHO itself has repeatedly concluded that such taxes are not the best or most effective measures to address these complex issues”, said Loatman.

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    Loatman stated that the beverage industry continues to advance collaborative and innovative solutions like broadening access to low and no-sugar beverage options, supporting transparent labelling, and upholding the highest standards for responsible marketing. By working together on these proactive measures, we can deliver real, measurable progress toward global health priorities.”

    ICBA is an international nongovernmental organization established in 1995 that represents the interests of the worldwide non-alcoholic beverage industry. Its members include national and regional beverage associations, as well as international beverage companies that operate in more than 200 countries and territories and produce, distribute, and sell a variety of non-alcoholic sparkling and still beverages, including soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, bottled waters, flavored and/or enhanced waters, ready-to-drink teas and coffees, 100% fruit or vegetable juices, nectars and juice drinks, and dairy-based beverages.

  • WHO urges Nigeria, others to raise taxes on sugary drinks, alcohol, tobacco by 50%

    WHO urges Nigeria, others to raise taxes on sugary drinks, alcohol, tobacco by 50%

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on Nigeria and other nations to raise taxes on sugary beverages, alcohol, and tobacco by at least 50 per cent over the next decade as part of a global strategy to tackle the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

    In a statement published on its website, the UN health agency said higher taxes would not only reduce the consumption of products linked to conditions like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease but also generate substantial revenue for critical sectors such as health, education, and social services.

    The recommendation is part of WHO’s new “3 by 35 Initiative,” which aims to increase the real prices of tobacco, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) by half through fiscal policies by 2035.

    Dr Jeremy Farrar, WHO’s Assistant Director-General for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, warned of the impact of these harmful products on global health. “The consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks is fueling an epidemic of non-communicable diseases that now account for over 75 per cent of global deaths,” he said.

    “Health taxes are one of the most efficient tools we have. They reduce harmful consumption and provide resources for health care. It’s time to act,” Farrar added.

    According to WHO, a 50 per cent price increase on these products could prevent up to 50 million premature deaths over the next 50 years. The initiative also targets the mobilisation of \$1 trillion in global revenue over the next decade.

    WHO also noted that despite progress in a few countries, many governments continue to grant tax breaks to industries that produce harmful products, undermining global public health efforts.

    It urged countries to review such incentives and long-term deals that block tobacco tax reforms, warning that such policies jeopardise national health goals.

    Between 2012 and 2022, over 140 countries increased tobacco taxes, leading to more than a 50 per cent rise in product prices.

    Countries like Colombia and South Africa have recorded both reduced consumption and increased revenues after introducing health taxes.

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    In Nigeria, the National Sugar Tax Coalition has advised the Federal Government to adopt findings from a local simulation study, which projects that raising the current SSB tax from N10 to N130 per litre could save thousands of lives from sugar-related illnesses.

    The “3 by 35” plan outlines key steps for countries to adopt, including raising excise taxes to reduce the affordability of harmful products such as tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks; mobilising domestic funds to support universal health coverage and broader development goals; and fostering strong cross-sector collaboration among ministries of health and finance, civil society, and academic institutions to design and implement effective, evidence-based health tax policies.

    The WHO called on civil society, development partners, and governments to commit to the Initiative and pursue “smarter, fairer taxation” to protect public health and drive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

  • Fed Govt, WHO push science-based reforms for safer food chain

    Fed Govt, WHO push science-based reforms for safer food chain

    The Federal Government and the World Health Organisation have renewed calls for science-driven efforts to tackle unsafe foods in Nigeria.

     They said stronger policies, innovation and stakeholder action across food supply chains were also necessary.

     Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom and WHO Country Representative, Walter Mulombo, made the suggestions at this year’s World Food Safety Day in Abuja yesterday. The theme of the event was ‘Food Safety: Science in Action.

     Kachollom said at the event that the heavy toll of foodborne diseases on public health and the economy demanded a coordinated and evidence-based response.

    “ We reaffirm our commitment to turning cutting-edge research into real-world progress. From farm to fork, every item must meet the highest safety standards,” the Permanent Secretary stated. 

    She stressed that foodborne illnesses affect over 600 million people globally each year, with low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria carrying a disproportionate burden, both in human suffering and economic losses. 

    Estimates place the global economic impact of unsafe food at over $110 billion yearly due to loss of productivity and healthcare costs.

    According to her, the Health  Ministry has made substantial progress in embedding science into policy and enforcement. She cited  the revised National Policy on Food Safety and Quality, and the introduction of regulatory tools such as the National Guideline for Sodium Reduction and the Food Handlers’ Medical Test Guideline as evidence

    “These initiatives set new benchmarks for consumer protection. We are actively upgrading laboratory protocols and deploying digital traceability tools to monitor food production, transportation, and retail with scientific precision,” Kachollom said.

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    She called on stakeholders in government, industry, and civil society to serve as ambassadors of food safety, saying: “Let us return to our communities not just informed but inspired to act.

     WHO  Country Representative  Mulombo emphasised that science must be at the heart of national responses to foodborne diseases.

    Mulombo, who was represented by WHO Technical Officer for Nutrition in Nigeria, Pindar Wakawa, said:  “Underreporting and weak linkages between contamination and illness have long masked the true impact of unsafe food on health and the economy.

    “Science is the foundation of food safety. Without it, maintaining safety in today’s global food chains would be impossible.” 

    He urged governments to invest in food safety research, enforce science-based policies, and ensure that such policies translate from the lab to the market and the dining table.

    The WHO boss also called on food businesses to comply with safety regulations and adopt proven practices that protect consumer health.

       National Coordinator for Food Safety and Quality Programme John Atanda had earlier reaffirmed the ministry’s long-term vision for a science-led regulatory framework and called for sustained vigilance.

  • WHA78: World leaders pledge over $170 million to WHO to tackle global health crises

    WHA78: World leaders pledge over $170 million to WHO to tackle global health crises

    Global leaders and philanthropic organisations have pledged more than $170 million to the World Health Organisation (WHO) to support its response to growing global health challenges.

    The announcement was made during a high-level pledging event at the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly (WHA78) held in Geneva.

    The pledges were made as part of WHO’s Investment Round (IR), a fundraising initiative designed to mobilise voluntary contributions for WHO’s strategic priorities.

    The funds will go toward implementing the Fourteenth General Programme of Work, the organization’s roadmap for global health efforts from 2025 to 2028.

    According to WHO, the strategy aims to save an additional 40 million lives over the next four years.

    In addition to the voluntary pledges, WHO Member States approved a US$ 90 million increase in Assessed Contributions, the mandatory payments made by countries to support the organisation’s core work.

    This marks a significant step toward the WHO’s goal of achieving more predictable and sustainable financing.

    WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed the pledges, describing them as a strong endorsement of WHO’s role in global health.

    “In a challenging climate for global health, these funds will help us preserve and extend our life-saving work,” he said. “They show that multilateralism is alive and well.”

    Several governments and philanthropic foundations made significant contributions during the pledging event. Leading the list was the Novo Nordisk Foundation of Denmark with a pledge of US$ 57 million, followed by Switzerland with US$ 40 million, and Sweden with US$ 13.5 million.

    The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) committed US$ 13 million and pledged to increase its funding further. Laerdal Global Health contributed US$ 12.5 million, while Qatar pledged US$ 6 million, underscoring broad international support for WHO’s mission.

    WHO noted that eight donors provided flexible funding, which allows the organisation to allocate resources where they are most urgently needed. Such contributions are considered the most valuable type of support.

    The pledging event, moderated by Moazzam Malik, CEO of Save the Children UK, highlighted WHO’s expanding donor base, with contributions from both long-time supporters and first-time donors. Angola pledged US$ 8 million, Cambodia contributed US$ 400,000, and Tanzania committed an additional US$ 500,000 on top of a previous pledge of the same amount. Gabon and Mongolia offered US$ 150,000 and US$ 100,000 respectively, while China also made a pledge, with the exact amount yet to be confirmed.

    Philanthropic institutions also played a key role in the pledging event, with notable contributions coming from ELMA Philanthropies, which donated US$ 2 million, Fondation Botnar with a pledge of US$ 9.6 million, and the Nippon Foundation of Japan, which committed US$ 9.2 million to support WHO’s global health initiatives.

    Read Also: Lancet report warns of rising gender injustices amid global crises ahead of WHA78

    WHO also highlighted the role of ordinary citizens in its fundraising efforts. Through the One World Movement, nearly 8,000 people worldwide have signed on as “Member Citizens,” contributing a combined total of almost US$ 600,000, many every month. This initiative reflects growing public support for global health and the WHO’s mission.

    Speakers at the event emphasised the importance of diversified and flexible funding to help the WHO remain responsive to health emergencies and aligned with national health priorities. The pledging event was described as a turning point in WHO’s efforts to build a more sustainable, country-focused, and agile organisation.

    “As the world faces complex and interconnected health threats, this show of support reaffirms our shared commitment to health as a human right,” Dr. Tedros said in closing. “Together, we can build a healthier, safer, and more equitable future.”

    The WHO Investment Round remains open, with expectations for further pledges in the months ahead. The organisation continues to encourage governments, foundations, and individuals to contribute to its vision of “One World for Health.”

  • Nurse exodus, underfunding crippling Africa’s health workforce — WHO

    Nurse exodus, underfunding crippling Africa’s health workforce — WHO

    To address the challenges confronting nursing and nurses in Africa, bold and sustained investments must be made in their education, working conditions and leadership opportunities, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, has said. 

    According to him, the steps are not just necessary but critical to the future of healthcare systems across the continent.

    He said the reforms are urgent because the current trajectory is unsustainable, noting that despite significant investments and a near doubling of the nursing workforce since 2018, the continent still lags far behind on all global indicators of health system growth.

    In his message on Saturday marking International Nurses Day 2025, Ihekweazu said while the global nursing workforce has grown to 29.8 million, up from about 28 million in 2018, the progress conceals dangerous inequities, as early 80% of nurses serve only 49% of the world’s population.

    He said: “In the African Region, recent investments in nursing education and training are yielding results. The number of nurses has nearly doubled, from 900,000 in 2018 to 1.7 million in 2023, increasing the nurse-to-population ratio from 8.7 to 14.1 per 1000,000 people. 

    “Yet this remains one of the lowest ratios globally, and more than tenfold lower than in high-income countries.

    “Nurses account for 66% of the region’s projected shortfall of 6.1 million health workers by 2030. 

    “This shortage limits access to essential services, from maternal and child health to chronic disease care, and slows progress towards universal health coverage.

    “At the same time, while 43% of our nursing workforce is under the age of 35, many lack access to mentorship or clear career pathways. 

    “High-income countries continue to recruit nurses from lower-income settings, with foreign-born nurses comprising nearly a quarter of their nursing workforce. 

    “In our region, 42% of nurses also report an intention to emigrate, an alarming trend that risks draining critical talent and undermining our most fragile systems”.

    He also highlighted constrained budgets as a major challenge, noting, “On average, African countries face a 43% shortfall in health workforce financing. 

    He, however, paid tribute to the commitment and courage of nurses, who make up nearly 70 percent of the health workforce and are essential to both daily health service delivery and emergency response. 

    Stressing that the theme of this year’s observance, ‘Our Nurses. Our future. caring for nurses strengthens health systems and economies’ is a reminder that building strong and equitable health systems depends on how well nurses are supported, Ihekweazu expressed optimism that despite these challenges, there are signs of hope. 

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    In May 2024, African leaders endorsed the Africa Health Workforce Investment Charter, a landmark commitment to long-term progress, he noted.

    According to him, several countries are now engaging in national dialogues, generating data, and developing tailored Investment Compacts, citing Zimbabwe’s compact, projected to mobilize an additional $166 million annually over the next three years to support its health workforce.

    Ihekweazu reminded stakeholders that nurses are not only caregivers but also educators, innovators, and frontline responders who often serve in the most remote, under-resourced, or crisis-affected settings. 

    As the continent marks International Nurses Day, he urged all actors to move beyond expressions of gratitude and commit to real, measurable actions that will train, protect, respect, and empower nurses to lead.