World Health Organisation

April 7, 2026 10:11 AM

WHO calls for science-led action and a stronger ‘One Health’ approach to address evolving health risks

The World Health Organisation (WHO) South-East Asia Region on Tuesday called for urgent, science-led action and a stronger One Health approach to address increasingly complex and interconnected health risks, marking World Health Day 2026. "Across the Region, health risks are increasingly driven by climate variability, environmental change, and evolving disease patterns. Responding effectively requires stronger, science-led and cross-sectoral approaches grounded in a One Health perspective," sai...

January 22, 2026 3:24 PM

US set to quit World Health Organization

The U.S. is due to officially exit the World Health Organization on Thursday, in the face of warnings it will hit both U.S. health and global health and also in violation of a U.S. law that requires Washington to pay theU.N. health agency $260 million in fees that it owes. President Donald Trump gave notice that the U.S. would quit the organization on the first day of his presidency in 2025, via an executive order. Under U.S. law, it has to give one-year notice and pay all outstanding fees befo...

November 24, 2025 12:35 AM

Indonesia declared polio-free by WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially declared the end of Indonesia’s poliovirus type-2 outbreak, marking a significant milestone in the country’s public health efforts following years of low vaccination coverage. The announcement came on November 19 after no poliovirus was detected in children or the environment since June 2024. According to the health ministry, nearly 60 million additional doses of the polio vaccine were administered nationwide as part of the emergency respon...

September 6, 2025 10:25 AM

WHO says mpox no longer a global public health emergency

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that the spread of mpox (monkeypox) in Africa no longer represents a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). WHO's Emergency Committee has met every three months to evaluate the outbreak of mpox, Xinhua news agency reported. "Yesterday, they met again and advised me that in their view, the situation no longer represents an international health emergency. I have accepted that advice," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebrey...

February 25, 2025 2:02 PM

Study reveals Australia and New Zealand have the highest global breast cancer rates

Australia and New Zealand have the highest rates of breast cancer incidence in the world. In a new study, researchers from Australia and Canada analysed the breast cancer incidence and mortality rates in 185 countries. They found that one in 20 women globally will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and that one in 70 will die from the disease. However, the study found that the breast cancer risk is not evenly distributed throughout the world, Xinhua news agency reported quoting...

December 18, 2024 5:18 PM

Many factors distort blood pressure readings: report

Blood pressure readings are often distorted due to skipped steps in measurement, such as sitting posture, arm positioning, recent caffeine intake, or talking during the process. These factors can produce readings higher or lower than normal, highlighting the need for precise procedures to assess cardiovascular health accurately. "To make meaningful improvements in cardiovascular health, we need to screen and treat hypertension correctly," said Tammy Brady, a pediatric nephrologist at Johns Hopk...

November 20, 2024 11:37 AM

India will strengthen global health efforts: PM Modi to WHO chief

India will work towards efforts to boost global health, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday while pledging his support to World Health Organisation chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who he addresses as ‘Tulsi Bhai’. He said this in response to Ghebreyesus’ post on X, thanking PM Modi and others for their support and contributions during the first-ever WHO Investment Round held in Brazil. The Prime Minister said that India is actively working in the health sector by integrati...

October 9, 2024 11:44 AM

WHO declares India Trachoma-free

India has eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, becoming the third country in the South-East Asia region to reach this milestone, the World Health Organization said. The announcement was made during the WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee meeting in New Delhi, where Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, presented the certification to Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary and Mission Director, National Health Mission, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Tracho...