WHO Chief calls for urgent healthcare action in Eastern Mediterranean

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has called for urgent action to strengthen healthcare systems across the Eastern Mediterranean. Speaking at a regional committee meeting in Cairo, Egypt, Tedros highlighted that the region, spanning 22 countries and territories, remains the “epicentre of global humanitarian need,” with over 117 million people requiring assistance.

The region faces severe challenges including persistent conflict, mass displacement, and attacks on healthcare facilities and personnel. Specific areas facing intense humanitarian pressure include Sudan, Yemen, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. These crises are compounded by climate-related shocks and a significant decline in international funding for both humanitarian operations and healthcare.

Tedros noted that noncommunicable diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, account for approximately two-thirds of all deaths in the region, claiming over 2.8 million lives annually. He urged governments to invest in resilient health systems, protect health workers, ensure child vaccinations, and promote measures to reduce risk factors like tobacco use.