Political unrest threatens world health

Daniel Zimmermann, DTI

Wed. 23. January 2008

save

LEIPZIG, Germany: The Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Margaret Chan, has warned that political unrest and violence in different parts of the world can threaten public health services. In her address during the biannual WHO Executive Board session earlier this year, she said that recent upheaval in Kenya or Gaza would disrupt routine health services and compromise access to basic and emergency care.

It also causes setbacks in the fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other diseases that constantly require monitoring and action, she added. Chan cited, however, that increasing willingness of development partners, UN agencies, and funding facilities to invest in health systems are a “striking and welcome change from the past.”

Other topics on the session’s agenda were the international migration of health personnel, the implementation of international health regulations, and the spread of drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis in Eastern Europe, parts of Central Asia, and China. Dr Chan reported that the global annual incidence of tuberculosis has stabilized in some parts of the world and may even be declining. “Control efforts are paying off,” she said, “but its emergence reminds us to be prepared for setbacks arising from the constantly changing microbial world.”

Chan also repeated her view that the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), or bird flu, remains a threat throughout the Asia Pacific region. In countries like Vietnam or Indonesia, more than 300 people have already been infected and 212 killed by the virus.

To post a reply please login or register

Climate change threatens world health

BERLIN, Germany: At the third global demonstration against climate change, held at the end of September, the World Health Summit participated in a campaign ...

In-depth look at oral health and healthy ageing during 2018 World Oral Health Forum

Each year, the FDI World Dental Congress features the World Oral Health Forum (WOHF), an in-depth session meant to spark discussion on the latest topics ...

World Health Assembly approves resolution addressing oral health

GENEVA, Switzerland: The World Health Organization’s (WHO) management of the COVID-19 pandemic thus far has brought its fair share of ...

Country’s political system influences population’s DMF index

LONDON, UK: At the 96th General Session and Exhibition of the International Association for Dental Research, recently held in London, researchers presented ...

FDI celebrates World Oral Health Day

GENEVA, Switzerland: Every year on 20 March, people around the globe unite to celebrate World Oral Health Day (WOHD) and put the spotlight on the immense ...

Planmeca supports World Oral Health Day

GENEVA, Switzerland: Designed to spread a range of positive messages, including good oral hygiene habits and the importance of regular dental check-ups to ...

FDI sends unifying video message in celebration of World Oral Health Day

GENEVA, Switzerland: “A happy mouth is a happy body,” FDI World Dental Federation said on World Oral Health Day (WOHD). Celebrated annually on 20 March,...

Celebrating World Oral Health Day in 2021

GENEVA, Switzerland: With less than two months to go until World Oral Health Day (WOHD) on 20 March, FDI World Dental Federation has some tips and tricks ...

World Oral Health Day 2022: Driving innovation to improve dental health

GENEVA, Switzerland: In the run-up to World Oral Health Day (WOHD), which took place on Sunday, 20 March, FDI World Dental Federation presented a webinar ...

Meet the ADA Dental Health Foundation, newly introduced at the FDI World Dental Congress

SYDNEY, Australia: The Australian Dental Health Foundation has been rebranded as the ADA Dental Health Foundation, marking a new chapter for an organisation...

Education

Live webinar
Wed. 22 May 2024
12:00 pm EST (New York)