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Friday 17.03.23 | Issue 195
Credit: WHO / Kiana Hayeri
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) updates
Türkiye and Syria earthquakes updates
A virtual press briefing with the participation of the WHO Director-General is tentatively scheduled for next week. If confirmed, media advisory with dial-in details will be emailed in advance.
20 March 2023
Statement by the Global Task Force on Cholera Control
On the occasion of World Water Day and ahead of the historic UN Water Conference in New York on 22 March, the statement by the Global Task Force for Cholera Control will highlight that safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene are long-term and sustainable solutions to ending the ongoing cholera emergency and preventing future ones.
Additional information: Cholera – Global situation, Cholera outbreaks: current situation and what we are doing to address it (EPI-WIN webinar, 15 March), Cholera Health Topic
Release of the findings of the mortality estimates in Somalia: retrospective and scenario-based forecast
Somalia is grappling with a drought of historic severity arising from five seasons of failed rains. As the drought persists, the death rate is a key indicator to understand the gravity of the crisis to inform the response and mobilize the required resources for humanitarian action.
A new study, commissioned by UNICEF and WHO and conducted by the Humanitarian Health Research Consortium of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, estimates the additional deaths caused by the drought in 2022, including figures on child deaths. It presents retrospective estimates of mortality across Somalia up to December 2022 and forecasts excess mortality during the first half of 2023.
The study findings will be released on 20 March in an event to be held in Mogadishu, Somalia, from 14.00 to 15.30 EAT (Mogadishu) (12.00-13.30 CET) at the Decale Hotel, AAIA. This will be in-person event; online participation is possible by registering here.
Contact: Fouzia Bano, Communications Officer, banof@who.int
22-24 March 2023
WHO at the UN 2023 Water Conference
The UN 2023 Water Conference, the most important UN-hosted event on water supply, sanitation and hygiene in some 50 years, will take place from 22 to 24 March at the UN Headquarters (UNHQ) in New York. WHO and partners will have strong health presence at the Conference and will advocate for the crucial role that safely managed water supply, sanitation and hygiene have for the health of people on the planet.
- Dr Maria Neira, Assistant WHO Director-General will be among lead speakers in the Water for Health: Access to WASH, including Human Rights to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation, an interactive dialogue to be held at 10.00 EST (15.00 CET) on Wednesday 22 March in Conference Room 4, UNHQ. The session will be webcast live on UN WebTV. Water for Health concept paper is available in all UN languages.
- A joint WHO/UNICEF statement will be published on 22 March
- WHO’s commitment to World Water Day and the Water Action Agenda. Visit the World Water Day campaign site
Contact: Nada Osseiran, Communications Officer, osseirann@who.int
24 March 2023
The Lancet series on commercial determinants of health
The Lancet series on commercial determinants of health will be published on 24 March and will include a commentary by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. The series will explore ways to address the commercial determinants of health and to build better governance to reorient commercial practices towards health.
Many of the most significant risk factors for disease and injury – tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy diet – are major industries and profit-drivers for commercial actors, including some of the world’s biggest companies. It is essential to address economic and commercial determinants of health in order to reducing the risk factors to many noncommunicable diseases, infectious diseases such as malaria, emerging threats like anti-microbial resistance, injuries from car crashes or weapons, and broader challenges such as unplanned urbanization and inequity.
Also see: WHO health topic and fact sheet on commercial determinants of health Contact: Jin Ni, Communications Officer, jinn@who.int
World Tuberculosis Day
On March 24, millions around the globe will come together to commemorate World Tuberculosis Day. The theme this year, 'Yes! We can end TB!', aims to inspire hope and encourage high-level leadership, increased investments, faster uptake of new WHO recommendations, and multisectoral collaboration to combat the TB epidemic.
A special call to action will be issued by WHO and partners urging Member States to accelerate the rollout of new WHO-recommended shorter all-oral treatment regimens for drug-resistant TB. 2023 is a critical year, with opportunities to raise visibility and political commitment at the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB.
Related activities:
- Online Talk show, Wednesday 22 March at 14:00 CET - to commemorate TB Day, WHO is organizing a special virtual Talk Show. Key speakers include WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and other senior WHO leadership, Ministers, leaders and other high-level government representatives, Heads of Agencies, TB survivors, civil society and partners. The Show will be broadcast live, with interactive Q&A from the audience online. Register here.
- Global Virtual Press conference, Thursday 23 March, time tbc - a media advisory will be sent next week.
Contact: Sonali Reddy, Communications Officer reddys@who.int
20-24 March 2023
Other events of interest
The role of communities in case management and surveillance for cholera outbreaks
21 March 2023 13:00 – 14:00 CET, webinar
In this event in the WHO RCCE Cholera Webinar Series, participants will share lessons, mistakes, experiences and best practices from communities responding to cholera on the ground. Simultaneous interpretation to French will be available. Please register here.
Epidemiology and diagnostic testing for Leptospirosis, an emerging public health problem
22 March 2023 11:00 – 12:30 CET, webinar
An introduction to leptospirosis, epidemiology and diagnostic testing and application of laboratory methods to human and animal surveillance of leptospirosis, with data from a study conducted in Puerto Rico. An event in the WHO Public Health Laboratories Webinar Series. Please register here.
Prioritizing the most needed paediatric formulations: a focus on COVID-19 and antibiotics
23 March 2023 13:00 – 14:30 CET, webinar
The outcomes of the Paediatric Drug Optimization (PADO) exercises for COVID-19 and antibiotics will be reviewed, in light of their importance for researchers, developers, and industry partners to ensure that stakeholders’ efforts are focused around addressing the urgent priority needs for children. Register here.
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