“I regard universal health coverage as the single most powerful concept that public health has to offer. It is inclusive. It unifies services and delivers them in a comprehensive and integrated way, based on primary health care.” Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General21 February 2013, Geneva – High-level officials from ministries of health and finance...

13 February 2013 – To date, nine cases of human infection with the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Two of the cases were from Jordan, five from Saudi Arabia and two from Qatar. Five of these patients died. Two clusters were detected – one within a family in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the other among...

Saudi Arabia's National Campaign contribution will enhance WHO’s ability to respond to the urgent health needs of affected populations in the Syrian Arab Republic 13 February 2013 – The Saudi National Campaign to Support the People of the Syrian Arab Republic has donated US$ 2 107 000 (7.9 million Saudi Riyals) to support the health needs of...

Dr Ala Alwan, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, addressing the meeting during the first session»Meeting full documentation30 January 2013, Dubai – Delegates at a United Nations-convened high-level meeting on saving the lives of mothers and children in the Eastern Mediterranean Region today agreed to urgently accelerate...

MDGs 4 and 5 aim to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health, respectively28 January 2013, Dubai – Ministers of health and high-level representatives from 22 countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region will meet in Dubai from 29 to 30 January to agree on approaches to reduce maternal and child mortality and accelerate progress...

Shortages in life-saving medicines are having a devastating impact on the lives of ordinary Syrians24 January 2013 – 22 months of conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic have resulted in substantial damage to the national health system. 55% of public hospitals and 10% of public health centres have been damaged or destroyed, and functioning...

14 January 2013 – In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, as in other regions, women and newborn children are among the most vulnerable population groups. Ten countries are still at risk of not achieving Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 by 2015, and health indicators for these two population groups continue to be a cause for alarm in several...

MDGs 4 and 5 aim to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health, respectively27 January 2013 – Addressing the health of mothers and children is at the heart of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and health and development index. It is the subject and focus of several United Nations and WHO resolutions adopted by all Member States. To...

The newly established emergency support team will provide dedicated support for the Syrian crisis and neighbouring countries. Photo credit: IRIN15 January 2013 – In light of the continuing crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic and its impact on neighbouring countries, WHO is establishing an emergency support team to provide technical and...

9 January 2013 – To date, a total of nine laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with the novel human coronavirus have been reported to WHO – five cases, including three deaths, from Saudi Arabia, two cases from Qatar and two cases (both fatal) from Jordan. The novel coronavirus first raised concerns in September 2012 when it caused severe...