In response to community transmission of COVID-19, New Zealand implemented a range of measures to contain the virus, including extensive testing, contact tracing and clear and consistent communications to the public.
Many routine and elective services have been suspended, while critical care - such as cancer screening and treatment and HIV therapy – has seen high-risk interruptions in low-income countries.
Fear of the virus discourages women from seeking maternal health care, causing a 25 per cent decline in patients. and Health officials warn that complications could rise as a result.
Significant breaches of human rights and other life-threatening and discriminatory disruptions have made part of the COVID-19 responses worldwide. The UN Secretary General has requested all UN entities to support the efforts of the in their own respective areas of expertise. So, to better inform the response going forwards, commissioned a report on how COVID-19 public health orders and restrictions on movement have impacted the response to HIV and human rights.
The African Region was certified as wild polio-free after four years without a case. Over 90% of the world’s population is now free of the wild poliovirus, moving the world closer to achieving global polio eradication. Only two countries worldwide continue to see wild poliovirus transmission: Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) congratulates the national governments of the 47 countries in the WHO African Region for this historic milestone.
In the latest episode of Awake At Night, Marie-Roseline Bélizaire is a doctor and epidemiologist with the World Health Organization (WHO), recounts her experiences on the frontlines of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, contact tracing that pandemic. Now, fighting COVID, she’s able to apply that expertise to the Central African Republic.
West Bank #RealLifeHeroes
Find out how to shop for and prepare food safely and which foods and supplements can help.
In the latest episode of Awake at Night, , Executive Director of the Health Emergencies Programme for , speaks about giving up on dreams of becoming a trauma surgeon after breaking his spine in a car crash in Iraq. He was held hostage there while working in a hospital during the first Gulf War. That experience set him on the path to WHO, with a specialism in infectious diseases.
There are 164 million migrant workers around the world and they have been very impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. poses the question: how can trade unions protect migrant workers during the COVID-19 crisis?
UNDP powers health clinics in Chad
Heading back to school in the pandemic
There are an estimated 67 million domestic workers worldwide, the vast majority of whom are women. As they try to maintain their livelihoods, lack of access to social protection makes domestic workers especially vulnerable to the pandemic. Oscar-nominated actress rose to fame in the film Roma, where she starred as an indigenous domestic worker. As a Goodwill Ambassador, Ms. Aparicio defends the rights of indigenous peoples and domestic workers. For domestic workers, there are only two options, she explains: stop receiving income or risk exposure to COVID-19.
While the situation is worrying, so far the number of identified COVID-19 cases amongst the Rohingya refugee population is relatively low at just 62 cases as of July. The community health volunteers’ role has become even more important since humanitarian workers have scaled back their work in the camps to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus. has worked with to train the volunteers on how to identify symptoms and make referrals for testing. But they must contend with the fear and rumours that have discouraged many people from approaching health facilities.
Corruption, the abuse of public office for private gain, is about more than wasted money: it erodes the social contract and corrodes the government’s ability to help grow the economy in a way that benefits all citizens. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the importance of stronger governance. During this crisis the has continued its governance and anti-corruption work. Their message to all governments has been clear: , because we don’t want accountability to be lost in the process.