Latest news with #WHA78
Scoop
23-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Finding Strength In Struggle For Gender Equality And Human Rights
The year 2025 marks 30 years since the landmark Beijing Declaration and its Platform for Action was adopted in 1995. Despite rising anti-rights and anti-gender pushes, some progress on these bold promises gives hope and strength, to strive for achieving SDG5 fully by 2030 or earlier. 'As we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and its Platform for Action this year, we are called to reflect not only on how far we have come but how far we must still go. The Beijing Declaration was a bold promise to the world's women and girls that their rights, dignity and health would be non-negotiable, that promise remains unfulfilled,' said Nazneen Damji, Chief (ad interim), Governance and Participation Section, and Senior Policy Advisor, Gender Equality, HIV and Health, UN Women. "Universal health coverage cannot be truly universal if it does not prioritise gender equality and human rights. Health systems that ignore the unique needs and barriers faced by women and girls are not only unjust, they are ineffective," she said in her video message at a special Side Event alongside WHA78 organised by Global Centre for Health Diplomacy and Inclusion (CeHDI), International Planned Parenthood Federation, Fos Feminista, CNS, and partners. "We are facing a rising coordinated push back on women's and girls' health and rights, particularly their sexual and reproductive health and rights. In just the past few months we have seen drastic funding cuts, impacting not only civil society and governments, but also UN agencies that provide abortion care and life-saving HIV treatment. This is not just a budget issue, it is a crisis of political will. Let us be clear: sexual and reproductive health and rights are not optional, they are fundamental human rights and yet only 56% of married women aged 15 to 49 can make decisions about their own reproductive health. This is not a statistic, it is a reflection of deep-rooted structural inequalities and harmful social norms that continue to deny women agency over their own bodies,' said Nazneen Damji of UN Women. The consequences are devastating: - Every 2 minutes a woman dies from preventable pregnancy related causes - In 2023, over 700 women died each day from complications that could have been avoided with access to quality care - HIV incidents among adolescent girls and young women remains alarmingly high in parts of sub-Saharan Africa where they are more than three times as likely to acquire HIV as their male peers in at least 22 countries Gender discrimination block access to healthcare Racism, stigma, and gender-based discrimination within healthcare settings block access to healthcare services. "Survivors of gender-based violence also need access to healthcare services. But that is often restricted for a wide variety of reasons including financial barriers, lack of capacity of the health system itself to be able to respond, social barriers like stigma and discrimination, as well as because healthcare system is at times a site of violence itself," said Fadekemi Akinfaderin, Chief Global Advocacy Officer, Fos Feminista (International Alliance for Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice). "I tend to think myself as a privileged person - an educated and middle-class woman - but when I had both my kids, I was denied access to epidural (epidural is a type of regional anaesthesia which is often given during labour and delivery to relieve pain). I was denied epidural in a health centre because the healthcare worker wanted me to give birth like a Hebrew woman," said Fedekemi. "These are not isolated issues rather these are symptoms of a global system that continues to devalue the lives and health of women and girls. The newly released World Report on the Social Determinants of Health Equity confirms that gender discrimination blocks access to healthcare even when user fees are removed. Women especially those who are young poor migrants or from ethnic minorities, still avoid care because of abuse and mistreatment," shared Nazneen Damji. UHC is fundamental to reducing health inequalities 'We are seeing a global push back against gender equality and the principles of human rights to health which are inextricably linked. In my mandate as a UN Special Rapporteur on Right To Health, I have recommended a human rights approach for many of the thematic areas recalling the political declaration of the UN High Level Meeting and resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly 2019 on Universal Health Coverage under the theme 'Universal health coverage moving together to build a healthier world.' I stress and underscore that universal health coverage is fundamental to reducing health inequalities, and ensuring just, peaceful and inclusive societies,' said Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng, United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Right To Health and Executive Director, Centre for Global Health Policy & Politics. Dr Tlaleng added: "The world is experiencing protracted war, humanitarian crisis, economic crisis, climate crisis, genocide, all of which had an impact on the right to health. Inequality, violence, stigmatisation, discrimination and criminalisation, all are incompatible with the realisation of the right to health and therefore impact universal health coverage. Delivering on UHC in an era of push back against gender equality and human rights must consider that every human being is entitled - with no discrimination - to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, and also a life conducive to living of dignity." Women's rights groups are often the first responders delivering lifesaving services "We must recognise the vital role of women's rights groups which are often the first responders delivering life-saving health care protection services and psychosocial support to survivors of violence. Yet their ability to serve those most at risk, especially women and girls facing intersectional discrimination, is becoming severely hampered by shrinking funding and growing backlash," said Nazneen Damji. Despite challenges, progress towards gender justice gives us hope and strength Governments committed to a political declaration at the recently concluded 69th UN Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. "This political declaration is reaffirming governments' commitment to the Beijing Platform for Action. This is a powerful reminder that women's health remains a key priority on the global agenda. It is a moment of renewed momentum and we must seize it," said Nazneen Damji of UN Women. She added: "Over the past two decades, we have seen real gains, for example: - The number of women using modern contraception has doubled - Unintended pregnancy rate has declined by 19% These are victories worth protecting but to sustain this progress we must invest in and scale up the best practices that got us here. We must ensure that UHC is not just about coverage, it must be about equity, rights, and justice - that means guaranteeing access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services including contraception, safe abortion, maternal care and HIV prevention." But, how can we protect these gains made towards gender equality and rights, and advance progress without increased domestic financing for health systems? We need to ensure that women's health services are integral to health benefit packages, and are protected and full funded. Organisations and movements that defend women's rights by putting women and girls at the centre of health policy - and not as passive recipients but as leaders and decision makers - must also be protected and fully resourced. "The Beijing Platform for Action 1995 gave us a roadmap. Now, 30 years later, it is time to deliver because health for all, must mean rights for all," rightly says Nazneen Damji. Shobha Shukla – CNS (Citizen News Service) (Shobha Shukla is the award-winning founding Managing Editor and Executive Director of CNS (Citizen News Service) and is a feminist, health and development justice advocate. She is a former senior Physics faculty of prestigious Loreto Convent College and current Coordinator of Asia Pacific Regional Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media) and Chairperson of Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA received AMR One Health Emerging Leaders and Outstanding Talents Award 2024). She also coordinates SHE & Rights initiative (Sexual health with equity & rights). Follow her on Twitter @shobha1shukla or read her writings here
Scoop
24-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Over 30 Health Organisations Shun PR And Ad Agencies That Work For Fossil Fuel Industry
Press Release – Global Climate and Health Alliance To support more organisations in making the Fossil-Free Health Communications commitment, the Global Climate and Health Alliance has published Break the Fossil Influence – Guidance for Health Organizations to Screen PR & Media Agencies. Geneva, 22 May 2025:- Thirty influential health organisations representing the interests of over 12 million health professionals worldwide — including major global health voices and health professional associations at the international, national, and regional levels—have signed a commitment to no longer work with PR and ad agencies that also provide services to the fossil fuel industry. The organisations have signed up to the Break the Fossil Influence – Fossil-Free Health Communications campaign, which launched today during the World Health Assembly (WHA 78) in Geneva. Organisations that have made the commitment include Amref Health Africa, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), The Lancet, along with the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations, (IFMSA), the World Federation of Public Health Association(WFPHA), World Organisation of Family Doctors (WONCA), Yale Center on Climate Change and Health, the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health and UK Health Alliance on Climate Change (UKHACC). To support more organisations in making the Fossil-Free Health Communications commitment, the Global Climate and Health Alliance has published Break the Fossil Influence – Guidance for Health Organizations to Screen PR & Media Agencies. 'Fossil fuels are making people sick—and the companies behind them are spending millions on advertising and PR to cover it up', said Shweta Narayan, Campaign Lead at the Global Climate and Health Alliance, which developed the initiative. 'The same PR firms spreading fossil fuel disinformation are also working with health organizations—a clear conflict of interest for health. Through the Break the Fossil Influence – Fossil-Free Health Communications commitment, health organizations are leading by example by cutting ties with agencies that provide services to the fossil fuel industry.' 'Health organizations have great power that they can bring to bear in their hiring of advertising, marketing, and design companies by choosing to work only with agencies that do not take money from fossil fuel companies', said Jeni Miller, Global Executive Director of Climate and Health Alliance. 'The Fossil-Free Health Communications Commitment is a way for the health sector to show leadership not just by speaking out or by making their own operations sustainable and climate resilient, but by refusing to work with businesses that support polluters.' 'Just like health leaders once stood up to Big Tobacco and its advertising, it's time to stand up to Big Oil', continued Miller. 'By making the Fossil-Free Health Communications commitment, organizations are demonstrating that they won't help spread fossil fuel disinformation, and will use every tool they have, including their ad and PR dollars to protect people's health and the planet.' 'Ad and PR agencies should listen to the overwhelming medical evidence of the harm of fossil fuels, and drop polluting clients immediately. Fossil fuel pollution is a threat to every aspect of human health, and incompatible with the business goals of the rest of the ad industry', said Duncan Meisel, Executive Director, Clean Creatives. 'The organisations signing this new commitment are laying down an important marker for the entire health sector: agencies with fossil fuel clients have a clear conflict of interest for any company trying to protect human health.' Fossil fuels are making people sick—and the companies behind them are spending millions on advertising and PR to cover it up. The Break the Fossil Influence – Fossil-Free Health Communications campaign is calling on health organizations to lead by example: to stop working with PR and ad agencies that also work for the fossil fuel industry. 'It is important as a health industry to make a stand, like we did during the anti-tobacco campaign, that we will not engage with PR companies and advertising agencies that are assisting fossil fuel companies to conceal the truth. And by doing so, we will force them to make the right choice. And the right choice is a choice for health and for healthy communities.' – Dr Githinji Gitahi, Group CEO, Amref Health Africa 'As health professionals guided by humanitarian values, we have a responsibility to speak out when public health is under threat. Fossil fuels are at the heart of a growing global health crisis, and the PR and advertising firms that help obscure this reality undermine efforts to protect lives. We call on our peers and institutions to reconsider partnerships with agencies that serve fossil fuel interests. Aligning our communications with our mission is essential to safeguarding health and maintaining public trust.' – Dr Maria Guevara, International Medical Secretary for Médecins Sans Frontières 'We, the health community, have a duty to warn humanity about the profound health harms being created by burning fossil fuels—including from air pollution and climate change—and to act on that knowledge. The public relations and advertising agencies that represent fossil fuel companies—coal, oil, and gas companies—are aiding and abetting these profound harms to public health. We must take a stand by refusing to work with any marketing agency that works with fossil fuel companies. Our duty, our integrity, and our credibility demand nothing less'. – Edward Maibach, Director, George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication and Member, National Academy of Medicine and Former Worldwide Director of Social Marketing, Porter Novelli 'As nurses, we recognize climate change as one of the greatest public health threats of our time. Every day, health professionals around the world are taking care of patients with health conditions like asthma, problems with pregnancies, cardiac issues, and more, that are exacerbated by climate change driven by fossil fuel pollution. For decades, fossil fuel companies have misled the public and obstructed climate action. As health professionals and health organizations, we need to hold ourselves to the highest standards and should not do business with PR and communications firms that also work with fossil fuel companies. Their history of disinformation has no place within the healthcare community.' – Katie Huffling, Executive Director, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments 'As family doctors, we see how air pollution and climate change, driven by fossil fuels, harm our patients' health daily. We must advocate for a rapid, just transition to clean energy for the sake of current and future generations.' – Prof Karen Flegg, President, World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) 'As health leaders we want to breathe life into solutions to climate change so we can safeguard health, wellbeing and life. We need to turn off the oxygen of the fossil fuel industry and the communication they use to deceive and persist.' – Michele Isles, CEO, Climate and Health Alliance, Australia 'The climate crisis is a health crisis, and Canada is already experiencing its effects – from wildfires to extreme weather and rising insurance costs. Health, housing, food, and financial security are all at risk. Governments must act with courage and urgency. Yet, the fossil fuel industry – supported by misleading advertising and public relations tactics, much like those once used by the tobacco industry – continues to sow confusion and delay meaningful action. As health professionals and system leaders, we must cut ties with advertising and PR agencies that serve the fossil fuel industry. We must make it clear that we care about health – and we do not want their services. Join the Break the Fossil Influence campaign – and demand fossil-free health communications.' – Doris Grinspun, Chief Executive Officer, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) 'In a world on fire, health professionals must lead with truth. We cannot claim to protect life while partnering with those who profit from its destruction. It's time for the climate and health community to cut ties with the PR machines fueling fossil fuel deception—because silence is complicity, and health demands courage.' — Dr. Kate Wylie, CEO, Doctors for the Environment Australia
Daily Express
24-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
Malaysia's resolution on lung health adopted by WHO
Published on: Saturday, May 24, 2025 Published on: Sat, May 24, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Dzulkefly said bilateral meetings were also held with counterparts or health representatives from Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Palestine, Brunei and Norway to strengthen health cooperation between countries. Kuala Lumpur: A landmark resolution on lung health by Malaysia has been officially adopted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in conjunction with the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) in Geneva, Switzerland. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the adoption of the resolution was a historic achievement and a great success for Malaysia in global health leadership. 'Alhamdulillah, the official mission to Geneva in conjunction with WHA78 has been completed successfully. Last night I returned to the country with a stronger spirit and a stronger determination,' he said in a Facebook post today. Dzulkefly said that while in Geneva, he also represented Malaysia as the host at a side event during the WHA78 to advance oral health in Universal Health Coverage (UHC). He said various strategic meetings were held with international health organisations such as WHO, Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance), Rare Disease International (RDI), Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and Medicines Patent Pool (MPP). Dzulkefly, who led the Malaysian delegation to WHA78 in Geneva from May 18 to 22, said bilateral meetings were also held with counterparts or health representatives from Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Palestine, Brunei and Norway to strengthen health cooperation between countries. Advertisement According to him, Malaysia also voiced its commitment to vaccine equity, pandemic preparedness and the One Health agenda at the regional level. 'Every step and exchange in Geneva brings a clear message - Malaysia is not only following the global health trend, but also leading, driving and shaping a common direction. 'Thank you to all strategic partners, delegation members, and staff of the Ministry of Health who worked hard to make this mission a success,' he said
Scoop
24-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Over 30 Health Organisations Shun PR And Ad Agencies That Work For Fossil Fuel Industry
Geneva, 22 May 2025:- Thirty influential health organisations representing the interests of over 12 million health professionals worldwide — including major global health voices and health professional associations at the international, national, and regional levels—have signed a commitment to no longer work with PR and ad agencies that also provide services to the fossil fuel industry. The organisations have signed up to the Break the Fossil Influence - Fossil-Free Health Communications campaign, which launched today during the World Health Assembly (WHA 78) in Geneva. Organisations that have made the commitment include Amref Health Africa, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), The Lancet, along with the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations, (IFMSA), the World Federation of Public Health Association(WFPHA), World Organisation of Family Doctors (WONCA), Yale Center on Climate Change and Health, the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health and UK Health Alliance on Climate Change (UKHACC). To support more organisations in making the Fossil-Free Health Communications commitment, the Global Climate and Health Alliance has published Break the Fossil Influence - Guidance for Health Organizations to Screen PR & Media Agencies. 'Fossil fuels are making people sick—and the companies behind them are spending millions on advertising and PR to cover it up', said Shweta Narayan, Campaign Lead at the Global Climate and Health Alliance, which developed the initiative. 'The same PR firms spreading fossil fuel disinformation are also working with health organizations—a clear conflict of interest for health. Through the Break the Fossil Influence – Fossil-Free Health Communications commitment, health organizations are leading by example by cutting ties with agencies that provide services to the fossil fuel industry.' 'Health organizations have great power that they can bring to bear in their hiring of advertising, marketing, and design companies by choosing to work only with agencies that do not take money from fossil fuel companies', said Jeni Miller, Global Executive Director of Climate and Health Alliance. 'The Fossil-Free Health Communications Commitment is a way for the health sector to show leadership not just by speaking out or by making their own operations sustainable and climate resilient, but by refusing to work with businesses that support polluters.' 'Just like health leaders once stood up to Big Tobacco and its advertising, it's time to stand up to Big Oil', continued Miller. 'By making the Fossil-Free Health Communications commitment, organizations are demonstrating that they won't help spread fossil fuel disinformation, and will use every tool they have, including their ad and PR dollars to protect people's health and the planet.' 'Ad and PR agencies should listen to the overwhelming medical evidence of the harm of fossil fuels, and drop polluting clients immediately. Fossil fuel pollution is a threat to every aspect of human health, and incompatible with the business goals of the rest of the ad industry', said Duncan Meisel, Executive Director, Clean Creatives. 'The organisations signing this new commitment are laying down an important marker for the entire health sector: agencies with fossil fuel clients have a clear conflict of interest for any company trying to protect human health.' Fossil fuels are making people sick—and the companies behind them are spending millions on advertising and PR to cover it up. The Break the Fossil Influence - Fossil-Free Health Communications campaign is calling on health organizations to lead by example: to stop working with PR and ad agencies that also work for the fossil fuel industry. 'It is important as a health industry to make a stand, like we did during the anti-tobacco campaign, that we will not engage with PR companies and advertising agencies that are assisting fossil fuel companies to conceal the truth. And by doing so, we will force them to make the right choice. And the right choice is a choice for health and for healthy communities.' - Dr Githinji Gitahi, Group CEO, Amref Health Africa 'As health professionals guided by humanitarian values, we have a responsibility to speak out when public health is under threat. Fossil fuels are at the heart of a growing global health crisis, and the PR and advertising firms that help obscure this reality undermine efforts to protect lives. We call on our peers and institutions to reconsider partnerships with agencies that serve fossil fuel interests. Aligning our communications with our mission is essential to safeguarding health and maintaining public trust.' - Dr Maria Guevara, International Medical Secretary for Médecins Sans Frontières 'We, the health community, have a duty to warn humanity about the profound health harms being created by burning fossil fuels—including from air pollution and climate change—and to act on that knowledge. The public relations and advertising agencies that represent fossil fuel companies—coal, oil, and gas companies—are aiding and abetting these profound harms to public health. We must take a stand by refusing to work with any marketing agency that works with fossil fuel companies. Our duty, our integrity, and our credibility demand nothing less'. - Edward Maibach, Director, George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication and Member, National Academy of Medicine and Former Worldwide Director of Social Marketing, Porter Novelli 'As nurses, we recognize climate change as one of the greatest public health threats of our time. Every day, health professionals around the world are taking care of patients with health conditions like asthma, problems with pregnancies, cardiac issues, and more, that are exacerbated by climate change driven by fossil fuel pollution. For decades, fossil fuel companies have misled the public and obstructed climate action. As health professionals and health organizations, we need to hold ourselves to the highest standards and should not do business with PR and communications firms that also work with fossil fuel companies. Their history of disinformation has no place within the healthcare community.' - Katie Huffling, Executive Director, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments 'As family doctors, we see how air pollution and climate change, driven by fossil fuels, harm our patients' health daily. We must advocate for a rapid, just transition to clean energy for the sake of current and future generations.' - Prof Karen Flegg, President, World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) 'As health leaders we want to breathe life into solutions to climate change so we can safeguard health, wellbeing and life. We need to turn off the oxygen of the fossil fuel industry and the communication they use to deceive and persist.' - Michele Isles, CEO, Climate and Health Alliance, Australia 'The climate crisis is a health crisis, and Canada is already experiencing its effects – from wildfires to extreme weather and rising insurance costs. Health, housing, food, and financial security are all at risk. Governments must act with courage and urgency. Yet, the fossil fuel industry – supported by misleading advertising and public relations tactics, much like those once used by the tobacco industry – continues to sow confusion and delay meaningful action. As health professionals and system leaders, we must cut ties with advertising and PR agencies that serve the fossil fuel industry. We must make it clear that we care about health – and we do not want their services. Join the Break the Fossil Influence campaign – and demand fossil-free health communications.' - Doris Grinspun, Chief Executive Officer, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) 'In a world on fire, health professionals must lead with truth. We cannot claim to protect life while partnering with those who profit from its destruction. It's time for the climate and health community to cut ties with the PR machines fueling fossil fuel deception—because silence is complicity, and health demands courage.' — Dr. Kate Wylie, CEO, Doctors for the Environment Australia
New Straits Times
24-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Malaysia's resolution on lung health adopted by WHO
KUALA LUMPUR: A landmark resolution on lung health by Malaysia has been officially adopted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in conjunction with the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) in Geneva, Switzerland. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the adoption of the resolution was a historic achievement and a great success for Malaysia in global health leadership. "Alhamdulillah, the official mission to Geneva in conjunction with WHA78 has been completed successfully. Last night I returned to the country with a stronger spirit and a stronger determination," he said in a Facebook post today. Dzulkefly said that while in Geneva, he also represented Malaysia as the host at a side event during the WHA78 to advance oral health in Universal Health Coverage (UHC). He said various strategic meetings were held with international health organisations such as WHO, Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance), Rare Disease International (RDI), Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and Medicines Patent Pool (MPP). Dzulkefly, who led the Malaysian delegation to WHA78 in Geneva from May 18 to 22, said bilateral meetings were also held with counterparts or health representatives from Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Palestine, Brunei and Norway to strengthen health cooperation between countries. According to him, Malaysia also voiced its commitment to vaccine equity, pandemic preparedness and the One Health agenda at the regional level. "Every step and exchange in Geneva brings a clear message - Malaysia is not only following the global health trend, but also leading, driving and shaping a common direction. "Thank you to all strategic partners, delegation members, and staff of the Health Ministry who worked hard to make this mission a success," he said –Bernama
