Handwashing Day: UNICEF warns inadequate hygiene endangers development goal
Oct 16, 2015, at 01:14 pm
New York, Oct 16 (IBNS): More than 40 per cent of health facilities have no water resources within 500 metres in sub-Saharan Africa where the practice of handwashing with soap is dangerously low even though it is "one of the cheapest, simplest, most effective health interventions," the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Thursday.
Ebola virus persists in body fluids of survivors for months: WHO
Oct 16, 2015, at 01:02 pm
New York, Oct 16 (IBNS): The Ebola virus can persist in the eye, semen, the placenta, breast milk and central nervous system of survivors of the disease for as long as 9 and a half months, according to a new study supported by the World Health Organization (WHO).
UNICEF calls for a joint vaccination plan in Sudan
Oct 07, 2015, at 01:54 pm
New York, Oct 7 (IBNS): Calling for a joint vaccination operational plan in Sudan, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday outlined the dire situation for thousands of children living in the Nuba Mountains, which remain inaccessible after four years while conflict in the country continues.
UN panel warns against 'designer babies' and eugenics in 'editing' of human DNA
Oct 06, 2015, at 02:23 pm
New York, Oct 6 (IBNS): Warning that rapid advances in genetics make "designer babies" an increasing possibility, a United Nations panel on Monday called for a moratorium on "editing" the human genome, pending wider public debate lest changes in DNA be transmitted to future generations or foster eugenics.
People over 60 will double by 2050 but little evidence they will be healthier: UN report
Oct 01, 2015, at 02:46 pm
New York, Oct 1 (IBNS): The number of people over the age of 60 is expected to double by 2050 and require radical societal change because "unfortunately, 70 does not yet appear to be the new 60" contrary to widespread assumptions, according to the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO).
UN launches joint partnership to help countries close gaps in primary health care
Sep 28, 2015, at 01:49 pm
New York, Sept 28 (IBNS): Underscoring the urgent need to transform how essential health care is delivered in low- and middle-income countries, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank Group and the UN World Health Organization (WHO) have launched a new partnership to support countries in improving the performance of primary health care.
Global Goals provide opportunity for quicker action to end AIDS epidemic by 2030: UN
Sep 28, 2015, at 01:41 pm
New York, Sept 28 (IBNS): Speaking at United Nations Headquarters in New York, the leaders of Kenya and Malawi co-hosted on Sunday with the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) a high-level panel discussion on scaling up efforts to end the epidemic by 2030.
WHO warns Ebola outbreak in West Africa has 'a very nasty sting in its tail'
Sep 10, 2015, at 02:12 pm
New York, Sep 10 (IBNS):The United Nations health agency's special envoy on Ebola response on Tuesday said the outbreak in West Africa has a "very nasty sting in its tail," but projected that the goal of zero transmission in the human population remains "very possible within 2015."
Liberia declared free of Ebola transmission as number of cases remains stable
Sep 04, 2015, at 02:34 pm
New York, Sep 4 (IBNS): The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday declared Liberia free of Ebola virus transmission after the disease had resurfaced in June, and as the country enters a 90-day period of heightened surveillance, the number of cases in the rest of West Africa remained stable at three for the fifth consecutive week.
Yemen: Outbreak of dengue prompts WHO appeal for safe humanitarian corridor
Sep 01, 2015, at 01:28 pm
New York, Sep 1 (IBNS): The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) is appealing for a safe corridor to reach more than 3 million people in war-torn Yemen's most populated governorate, Taiz, where "an extreme spike" in cases of dengue fever has been recorded over the past two weeks.
Africa one step closer to polio eradication, but more work to be done: UN
Aug 13, 2015, at 02:08 pm
New York, Aug 13 (IBNS): Africa has made great strides towards eradicating polio but the job remains to be finished through strengthened immunization campaigns and surveillance measures, according to the United Nations.
Tajikistan’s sectoral reform must prioritize sanitation and drinking water: UN expert
Aug 13, 2015, at 01:58 pm
New York, Aug 13 (IBNS): Progress has been made in ongoing reform of the water sector in Tajikistan, a United Nations rights expert noted at the end of his recent mission to the country, and he urged the Government to maximize its rich water resource through national legislation, policies, budget and their implementation for the poor and marginalized.
Ban urges greater efforts to improve health and well-being of indigenous peoples
Aug 10, 2015, at 02:15 pm
New York, Aug 10 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on the international community to commit to do more to improve the health and well-being of indigenous peoples, who face a wide range of challenges from inadequate sanitation and housing to high rates of diabetes, drug and alcohol abuse.
Iraq: Millions left in need after funding shortage forces WHO to cut services
Aug 05, 2015, at 01:50 pm
New York, Aug 5 (IBNS): The United Nations health agency was forced to suspend 84 per cent of frontline programmes in 10 governorates in Iraq in July due to insufficient funding, leaving almost three million people without access to urgently-needed healthcare services.
'Prevent hepatitis; Act now,' declares UN targeting hepatitis B and C
Jul 29, 2015, at 02:30 pm
New York, Jul 29 (IBNS): Marking World Hepatitis Day 2015, which falls on 28 July in honour of the birthday of the scientist who discovered the hepatitis B virus and its first vaccine, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners are urging policy-makers, health workers and the public to act now to prevent infection and death from the infectious disease.
UN agencies and partners warn of ‘acute shortage’ of meningitis vaccines
Jul 29, 2015, at 02:10 pm
New York, Jul 29 (IBNS): West Africa is at risk of a large meningitis outbreak unless drug manufacturers increase vaccine production by 5 million doses before the 2016 meningitis season starts in January, the United Nations and leading public health organizations warned on Tuesday.
UN concerned over worsening health of Palestinian detainees
Jun 06, 2014, at 06:44 pm
New York, Jun 6 (IBNS): Gravely concerned about the reported worsening health of more than 75 Palestinian detainees on hunger strike now in hospital protesting Israel's continued use of administrative detention, members of a United Nations committee on Thursday urged Israel to end the practice and heed the "desperate plea" prisoners to be told what they are accused of so they can mount a defence.