Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

Today it was my turn to get vaccinated at HUG - Hopitaux Universitaires de Genève against #COVID19. Vaccines save lives. It’s critical to get them to all countries A.S.A.P. If like me you live in a country where vaccines are available, please get vaccinated when it’s your turn. To make vaccines available to all who need them, governments, manufacturers and other stakeholders must commit to share and produce more doses of COVID-19 vaccines to protect everyone. #VaccinEquity

I was deeply honoured and humbled to be recognized with an Honorary Doctorate from University of Groningen, alongside Mariana Mazzucato, Gerrit Hiemstra and Kate Crawford.

I am especially pleased to receive this honour as the University of Groningen celebrates its 410th anniversary.

Keeping people healthy and preventing disease is one of the three key priorities in World Health Organization’s global strategy for the next four years, which our Member States will consider at #WHA77 next week.

Together, for #HealthForAll.

I am so touched by the nightly videos of people applauding #healthworkers from their balconies and the stories of people offering to help one another in their communities. These amazing demonstrations of human solidarity will hopefully become more infectious than #COVID19 itself. Together!

‘Those who have health have hope, and those who have hope, have everything’

I wish you a 2023 full of health, and hope! #HappyNewYear

Viruses move fast, but data can move even faster. With the right information, countries and communities can stay ahead of emerging risks, and save lives. I'm honoured to open the World Health Organization Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence together with 🇩🇪 Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin yesterday.
The work that goes into pandemic and epidemic preparedness must occur before an outbreak starts. The WHO Hub will be key to leveraging innovations in data science for public health surveillance and response and creating systems for sharing and expanding expertise. bit.ly/3t2LpqR

The Hub will be led by Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu. He brings a wealth of experience, and will serve a dual role as head of the Hub in 🇩🇪, and as Assistant Director-General for Health Emergency Intelligence in 🇨🇭. Welcome to WHO, my brother!

https://lnkd.in/gRs5Mgni

By 2028, the #WHOAcademy aims to train three million health workers worldwide.

The Academy will:
- create high-quality, learner-oriented courses, based on the priorities of the World Health Organization and our Member States.
- build a global learning ecosystem that promotes lifelong learning practices at WHO and across the health sector.
- develop and disseminate quality standards in health education.

Today is a great day for health, a great day for science, and a great day for vaccines: World Health Organization is recommending a second vaccine to prevent #malaria in children at risk of the disease, called R21/Matrix-M.

This recommendation is based on advice from two expert groups: the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization, or SAGE, and the Malaria Policy Advisory Group, or MPAG.

Both groups reviewed evidence from trials of the R21 vaccine, which showed that in areas with seasonal transmission, it reduced symptomatic cases of malaria by 75% in the 12 months following a three-dose series of the vaccine.
A fourth dose, given a year after the third, was shown to maintain protection.

At a cost of between 2 and 4 US dollars a dose, it is comparable with other recommended malaria interventions and other childhood vaccines.

The first malaria vaccine, called RTS,S, was recommended for the broad use almost exactly two years ago.

Demand for the RTS,S vaccine far exceeds supply, so the R21 vaccine is a vital additional tool to protect more children faster, and to bring us closer to our vision of a malaria-free world.

At least 28 countries in Africa plan to introduce a WHO-recommended malaria vaccine as part of their national immunization programmes.

As a malaria researcher, I used to dream of the day when we would have a safe and effective vaccine against malaria. Now, we have two.

With a New Year upon us, our leaders must bring desperately needed peace to the world, and health and safety to all.
 
In 2025, let’s turn the page on conflict, chart a new path to secure a healthy and prosperous future for all.
 
#HappyNewYear

Meeting with World Health Organization's interns is one of the most inspiring internal activities I do.

I try my best to meet with them regularly to discuss their challenges, career opportunities, to answer their questions and to brainstorm with them.

In the past 7 years, we made significant progress in the way we recruit and engage interns:

1) Talent is global but opportunity is not - this is why we introduced a stipend, so that those who couldn't afford living costs during their internship still get the opportunity to join us and contribute;

2) On top of the stipend we introduced, and recently increased in Geneva, lunch vouchers to make sure our interns can afford healthy meals while at work;

3) As part of the benefits package, we are also covering the health insurance of our interns;

4) In our last meeting, we agreed that interns will no longer have a three-month break of service (as per the current WHO policy) after they complete their internship. They will now be able to compete for all types of positions after their internship is over making it possible to continue to work at WHO;

5) Last, but not least, our interns have led multiple initiatives to promote environmental health and celebrate diversity across the organization including via “Cultural Fridays”.

As a result, diversity among our intern candidates has increased significantly with over 50% of interns joining us from low- and lower-income countries, and the number of female interns is 75%.

We will only be able to achieve #HealthForAll if we bring ALL talents to the table. If you are interested in being part of the WHO internship programme, here's how you can apply: https://lnkd.in/eXDJZAcj

Delighted to appoint Dr Vanessa Kerry, MD MSc as World Health Organization’s Special Envoy for Climate Change and Health.

Dr Kerry’s extensive experience and dedication to public health make her an invaluable asset in addressing the health consequences of the #ClimateCrisis. I look forward to working together towards a more sustainable and resilient future for all. https://lnkd.in/eB4vdNF6

Arrived in Rio for the G20 Brasil 2024 leaders summit. I am inspired by the beautiful welcome by my friend, Health Minister Nísia Trindade Lima, as Brazil illuminated the iconic Cristo Redentor in solidarity with the World Health Organization and the global movement to eliminate #CervicalCancer.

This is the one cancer we have the tools to eliminate. We call on #G20 leaders to support access to HPV vaccines for all girls in all countries, and access to screening and treatment for all women who need it. Let’s make cervical cancer elimination a reality!

I was honoured to accept Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) Award on behalf of my World Health Organization colleagues from around the world, including Africa. Together, we’re working day anf night to deliver on our mission of a healthier, safer, fairer world. Thank you for recognising our efforts. #UNGA

Sadly, there are reports from of an increase in domestic violence since the #COVID19 outbreak began. We call on countries to include services to #EndViolence as an essential service that must continue during the response.

If you're at risk of domestic violence:
-speak to supportive family & friends
-seek support from a hotline or local services for survivors
-make a plan to protect yourself & your children any way you can
-Identify a place to go to should you need to leave the house immediately

On #WorldBrainDay, I’m sharing an important message from Emilia Clarke on how vital rehabilitation is for people who suffer brain injuries. She was one of them. My heartfelt thanks to Emilia, her mum Jenny and SameYou for joining forces with World Health Organization to promote rehabilitation.

WHO has launched the World Rehabilitation Alliance to promote rehabilitation as a key part of #HealthForAll. In a collaborative spirit with the rehabilitation community, the Alliance brings together the voices of many stakeholders to promote one message. https://lnkd.in/epnbhPrv

Unless we aim higher, we will land lower;
Unless we sow solidarity, we will reap division;
Unless we seek peace, we will find war.

Today, and every day, we have a choice.

Peace, peace, peace.

https://bit.ly/3PBu0QD #WHA75

Omicron continues to sweep the 🌍. I remain concerned about countries with low vaccination rates, as unvaccinated people are many times more at risk of severe illness & death. I urge everyone to do their best to reduce risk of infection & help take pressure off health systems.

On #InternationalNursesDay, I thank ALL nurses around the
for their work & help to deliver #HealthForAll, especially to those working in places of conflict, natural disaster, or emergencies such as #COVID19 for 2+ years. Thank you for providing safe care for those who need it.

Health is fundamental to international peace and security.
 
1. We must see health not as a privilege to earn, but a human right to protect.

2. We must see health not as a cost to control, but as an investment to nurture.

3. We must see health not as a tool to divide, but as a bridge to peace.

46 days left to act on #VaccinEquity. I hope high-income countries are aware that the more bilateral deals they do, the more they’re taking doses away from COVAX and depriving #healthworkers and vulnerable people across the world of protection.

Today, I took part in the EU-AU High-Level meeting on Health in Brussels. My ask to both EU Commission, African Union and their Member States is to continue prioritising health in their policies and investment.

I urged them to work together to find common ground and conclude a strong pandemic agreement in time for the World Health Assembly.

I used the opportunities to meet with #Belgium’s Minister Caroline Gennez, EU Commissioners Stella Kyriakides, Jutta Urpilainen, Janez Lenarcic to discuss joint health priorities, as well as World Health Organization’s response to dire health crises in Gaza and Sudan. 
 
Together, we can realise health as a right for more people, and narrow the inequities that deprive people of it.
 
My deep thanks to Belgium EU Presidency for their leadership and commitment.

Deeply concerned about the #Monkeypox outbreak, which represents a serious, evolving threat. I convened an Emergency Committee. The experts advised that it currently doesn't constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. My statement: https://bit.ly/3HPHeGh

The response requires urgent coordinated action now to stop the further spread of the virus, using public health measures & ensuring health tools are available to at-risk populations & shared fairly. The full list of the Committee's recommendations:
https://bit.ly/3niOHUM