By Radwan Jakeem NEW YORK (IDN) — In the race to 2030, the United Nations Joint SDG Fund has been doubled to $114 million as a result of an additional US $54.5 million in investments for projects in five countries, to try and get the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) back on track. Selected from a global […]
Two UN Agencies Working Together to Ensure Safe Delivery of Cancer Treatment
By Reinhard Jacobsen VIENNA (IDN) — The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have a long-standing collaboration to support Member States to address their cancer burdens. The two specialized agencies of the United Nations work together to help countries improve cancer control planning, ensure safe delivery of cancer treatment through […]
WHO and the Commonwealth To Reinforce Cooperation on Equitable Access to Vaccines
By Jamshed Baruah GENEVA (IDN) — The World Health Organization (WHO) and the London-based Commonwealth Secretariat have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that focuses on ending the COVID-19 pandemic, advancing Universal Health Coverage, addressing vaccine equity, strengthening digital health systems and working towards global health security
Coronavirus Cases Are Shooting Up Across Africa
By Jeffrey Moyo HARARE (INPS) — There are over 228 000 coronavirus cases in Zimbabwe, with more than 5000 deaths while north of this country stands Zambia laden with over 300 000 coronavirus cases and more than 3000 COVID-related deaths and not to be left out, is Mozambique east of Zimbabwe, contending with more than […]
‘Coronavirus Is Here to Stay’
By Caroline Mwanga NEW YORK (IDN) — It is “dangerous to assume that Omicron will be the last variant, or that we are in the endgame” of the pandemic. “On the contrary, globally, the conditions are ideal for more variants to emerge,” exactly two years and a day since he declared the deadly virus a […]
Health System in Afghanistan Is on The Brink of Collapse
By Jaya Ramachandran GENEVA (IDN) — The World Health Organization (WHO) a specialized agency of the United Nations, has warned that fundamental and life-saving primary health care services in Afghanistan are under severe threat. It is, therefore, making an urgent appeal to international donors to rapidly finance the Sehatmandi programme, as they have done for […]
UN Report Concerned About Hunger and Food Insecurity in Latin America and the Caribbean
By Jaya Ramachandran ROME (IDN) — The rise in hunger and food insecurity levels that have been occurring in Latin America and the Caribbean since 2015, were exacerbated by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The region is now even further off-track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 2.1 to end hunger and achieve […]
Omicron Surge Forces Australia to Redefine COVID-19 Response
By Kalinga Seneviratne SYDNEY (IDN) — In July 2021 Prime Minister Scott Morrison told Australians to go out and get vaccinated as the Delta variant of COVID-19 spread across the world. They were assured that once double-vaccinated the lockdowns will be lifted. He said at the time “by Christmas Australia will be a different place” […]
With a Rise in Infections, UN Advises Staffers to Work Remotely—and Return to their Homes
By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS (IDN) — The United Nations, which temporarily dropped its defences and partially lifted its 20-month-old lockdown last month, has reacted swiftly to the rise in COVID-19 infections in New York city by suspending its “flexible working arrangements” and advising staffers to work remotely—from their homes beginning December 20. The new […]
One Dollar Could Save 7 million Lives in Low and Lower-Middle Income Countries
By Jaya Ramachandran GENEVA (IDN) — Close to seven million deaths could be prevented by 2030, if low and lower-middle income countries were to make an additional investment of less than a dollar per person per year in the prevention and treatment of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), according to a new World Health Organization report. NCDs […]